Beach Boys @ Riverstage, Brisbane

[Primm]

These are my first pics here. C & C very welcome - please don't hold back, I have a thick skin. I know they aren't great, and that's why I'm here, to learn how to get better.

First, the known issues:

1/ ISO 3200. Probably a bit excessive - lots of noise. ETA: Actually I just realised I bumped it down to 1600 for the Beach Boys, only photo taken at 3200 is the last one.

2/ Equipment. The only wideish lens I have ATM is the 50, so that's what I used. Also "no photography" and we had 2nd row seats, right in front of security. I was trying to be discreet! Mind you, you can smuggle a lot in when you have a low cut top - everyone else got their water bottles confiscated, but they didn't even check my bag!

3/ Lighting. I know it's bad everywhere, but you guys seem to get good pics anyway. Is that just because you can move around and compose shots with less intrusive lighting?

4/ f2. Aaaaargghhh! This was driving me nuts - I selected some custom function in my new-to-me 20D that meant I couldn't change the f-stop - and I couldn't look properly to see what it was because of previously mentioned security. When I got home I reset everything to default and now can't replicate the problem, so I still don't know what I did. But at least I can change the f-stop now.

By the way, the concert was awesome. 32 songs in 1.5 hours - they didn't stop, just going from one hit to the next. They may be old, but they still rock!

So...pics. Tell me what you think.


#1
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/Primm69/IMG_2212.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/250
F Number: 2/1 Exposure Program: 1
ISO Speed Ratings: 1600


#2
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/Primm69/IMG_2211.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/160
F Number: 2/1 Exposure Program: 1
ISO Speed Ratings: 1600


#3
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/Primm69/IMG_2208.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/160
F Number: 2/1 Exposure Program: 1
ISO Speed Ratings: 1600


#4
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/Primm69/IMG_2203.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/200
F Number: 2/1 Exposure Program: 1
ISO Speed Ratings: 1600


#5 - I call this "Worship at the house of Mike Love!"
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/Primm69/IMG_2202.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/200
F Number: 2/1 Exposure Program: 1
ISO Speed Ratings: 1600


#6
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/Primm69/IMG_2196.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/200
F Number: 2/1 Exposure Program: 1
ISO Speed Ratings: 1600


#7 - the warm-up band were a 70's Oz group called Daddy Cool - they were awesome as well! The crop is awkward, but the people in the row in front all stood up as these guys finished their set, and I had to get rid of a lot of heads.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/Primm69/IMG_2187.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/250
F Number: 2/1 Exposure Program: 1
ISO Speed Ratings: 3200

Go for it!

[FlexiPack]

Some great shots there!

I love the beach boys, great to see some pics. You did really well to get those off with security hanging around. They don't miss a trick usually!

[UmbraDigital]

I think under the circumstances you did well - it's always so hard to shoot from behind people!

Did you shoot RAW? I think some of these could be improved with some better conversions, or even some more post processing in Photoshop.

Is that perspex screen something a lot of drummers use - I've never seen one in a live situation before!

[Primm]

Some great shots there!

I love the beach boys, great to see some pics. You did really well to get those off with security hanging around. They don't miss a trick usually!

Thanks!

I think under the circumstances you did well - it's always so hard to shoot from behind people!

Did you shoot RAW? I think some of these could be improved with some better conversions, or even some more post processing in Photoshop.

Is that perspex screen something a lot of drummers use - I've never seen one in a live situation before!

I did shoot RAW, and these have only pretty basic PP because I'm pretty basic at PP! Just learning - any suggestions you have would be gratefully appreciated.

I'm not sure what the perspex is about - I've never seen it before either. It's not like it was a rough crowd and he needed protection! It was outdoors and rain was forecast (didn't arrive thank goodness), but the stage was covered with a roof, and you'd think the guys up front with all their electrical equipment would be more worried about rain than the drummer.

[Carjo]

They all seem a bit overexposed to me, Ruth. You can see that some of the shirts and the drummer in #6 are blown out. :)

[Primm]

Yeah, I know Rob. Read my comment #4 above. Couldn't work out what my problem was, and honestly still don't know, but resetting to defaults seemed to fix it.

[Carjo]

Yeah, I know Rob. Read my comment #4 above. Couldn't work out what my problem was, and honestly still don't know, but resetting to defaults seemed to fix it.

Oh, sorry. :oops: I did read that, but then I went and had dinner and posted when I came back, so pardon my forgetfulness. :p

Although... couldn't you have cranked up the shutter speed or lowered the ISO? :)

[canadianbacon52]

If you shot raw, you can easily reduce the exposure, try tinkering around with the pictures, I think they would really look great just a bit darker

[narlus]

maybe you had the camera in A-DEP?

[DwightMcCann]

I think the style of lighting that the Beach Boys like is very contrasty and could be very difficult ... this is not a bad set. Here's one shot under ideal lighting and it's not all that much different:

http://dwightmccann.com/Images/BeachBoys09082005/BeachBoys5515-1000.jpg

[Coastwatch203]

Hey nice shot Dwight! Do you spot meter on the performers face?,- then shoot?
Your exposures are fantastic!
Mark

[DwightMcCann]

Hey nice shot Dwight! Do you spot meter on the performers face?,- then shoot?
Your exposures are fantastic!
Mark

Yes, spot meter face and bracket (I shoot RAW and bracket one stop over and under.)

[Coastwatch203]

Brilliant Dwight, I admire your work, - your website is fantastic.
The Collages are great.
Do u have a favorite lens/camera combo for most of your performance work?
I mainly use my 5D 70-200 2.8IS, or my 24-70 2.8.

[DwightMcCann]

Brilliant Dwight, I admire your work, - your website is fantastic.
The Collages are great.
Do u have a favorite lens/camera combo for most of your performance work?
I mainly use my 5D 70-200 2.8IS, or my 24-70 2.8.

My current default arrangement is 1DMIII/70-200mm f/2.8L IS and 1DMarkIIN/300mm f/2.8L IS. If the stage is interesting before the performance I often shoot 5D/15mm fisheye long exposures with low ISO and small aperture (like f/13) on a tabletop tripod ... also RAW/bracketing. I always have lots of other glass handy: 16-35mm f/2.8L, 24-70mm f/2.8L, 135mm f/2.0L, Sigma 8mm f/3.5 fisheye, 400mm f/2.8L IS on Wimberley head/Gitzo legset and leveling head. I have lots of equipment and usually have most of it with me at these concerts.

[Coastwatch203]

Dwight Schwarzenegger !! thats a lot of gear to keep close to hand, or to lug around.
I guess it limits your mobility?
Do you use the Sigma fish eye much?
thanks for the "heads up" on your arrangement.

[DwightMcCann]

Dwight Schwarzenegger !! thats a lot of gear to keep close to hand, or to lug around.
I guess it limits your mobility?
Do you use the Sigma fish eye much?
thanks for the "heads up" on your arrangement.

I carry it in a Pelican 1610 and Pelican 1510 (I have a bunch of Pelican cases in different sizes) in my Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab 4WD Diesel pickup. I park in underground parking, have PhotoID w/magnetic strip that unlocks door to access elevator to just outside door to Samala Room where I make all my money. The only hard part is lifting the 1610 full of equipment into the back seat ... I have tweaked my aged back doing that. I don't always bring all of it to the Samala Room but it is fairly close by if I need it. The 400mm f/2.8 has its own case ... it and the Gitzo/Wimberley setup usually sit in the truck unless I get all concert shooting access (rare) or am limited to the lightboard area only ... then I put the 400mm on the 1DMIII with a 1.4TC and 70-200mm f/2.8 on the 1DMIIN for full stage shots. Yes, lots of equipment but I can get help from staff if I need it and everything is very safe ... I leave $30K of equipment laying around and go strolling around the casino without a worry ... zillions of cameras with people who know me watching and tons of security guards who know me watching. I am more careful when shooting other places.

[Coastwatch203]

I use a Stormcase im2975, http://www.underwater.com.au/product.php/id/STORM2975/
similar to the Pelican case. At $500 Australian its great. I can lock it to a pole or some unmovable object, pad lock the lid and not worry. This case is great cause its deep and i can leave a 2 x 5Ds with 70-200 lens and 24-70lens attached facing down into the case, so i maximize room. Also its deep enough store my laptop "edge on ".
So do you use the Sigma 8mm much? Ive often thought one may come in usefull.

[DwightMcCann]

I use a Stormcase im2975, http://www.underwater.com.au/product.php/id/STORM2975/
similar to the Pelican case. At $500 Australian its great. I can lock it to a pole or some unmovable object, pad lock the lid and not worry. This case is great cause its deep and i can leave a 2 x 5Ds with 70-200 lens and 24-70lens attached facing down into the case, so i maximize room. Also its deep enough store my laptop "edge on ".
So do you use the Sigma 8mm much? Ive often thought one may come in usefull.

The Sigma is neat because it makes a circle on the 5D and will on my 1DsMIII when they come in! I don't use it a lot, just to add flavor ... something different that not many do.

[Coastwatch203]

Thanks for your info Dwight, im off now on a job to our Entertainment center to set up to shoot an Irish Dance performance, should be fun.
Cheers for now, Mark