need inspiration: post your band promo shots!

[kaitanium]

and i dont mean stuff taken at concerts or gigs. i mean photos for albums and posters and other promotional shots! i need some inspriation

[thepepperman]

Taken at a recent show by my friends in The Entropy. This was totally impromptu as I wanted to get a performance photo but couldn't stay for the show. Plus I forgot to charge my flash batteries, so this was shot with available light from a single bare bulb in the side entrance to the lounge they played.

http://i30.tinypic.com/5x4jsh.jpg

This was to go along with an article I wrote about them: http://www.simcoe.com/article/60812

[kaitanium]

ah nice. i was thinkin of a dark eyes type of photo.

[René Damkot]

Kinda "Emo", kinda too dark. Nice otherwise..
I think I'd crop a bit lower.

Bring spare batteries next time ;)

[thepepperman]

Thanks guys!

[shannyD]

check out some of dr.flynns stuff. not too long ago he shot the plain white T's and they are excellent.

shan

[pregnantcowlady]

http://a212.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/46/l_6290c5b898f00431d8ab43d3d6945453.jpg

http://a18.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/35/l_3d869afcd3784e0d73533000c5493209.jpg
the pp made the faces look horrible and i havent gotten around to fixing it, but you get the point :)

[niqqunos]

I play bass in a band called Cities of the Red Night, here's our promo pic (that I also took myself) using 4 shots, each with 30 second exposures in the middle of the night in a deserted railway yard and 3 flashes timed 8 seconds apart.

We deliberately wanted something as surreal and obtuse as possible, but with at least our faces but very much avoiding the cheesy "stand in front of something and try and look cool" cliché:

http://a88.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/45/l_6fd4d46560818a5ea38c0a145ae09f9f.jpg

For those interested, I'm on the left ;)

[blackshadow]

and i dont mean stuff taken at concerts or gigs. i mean photos for albums and posters and other promotional shots! i need some inspriation

why not go to your local newsagent or bookshop and find some music magazines? they are chock a block full of promo shots!

[elysium]

and i dont mean stuff taken at concerts or gigs. i mean photos for albums and posters and other promotional shots! i need some inspriation
Tried having a look at some of the poses on the Dave Hill website? Not saying to steal his work but an idea maybe?

[Photodawg1]

I play bass in a band called Cities of the Red Night, here's our promo pic (that I also took myself) using 4 shots, each with 30 second exposures in the middle of the night in a deserted railway yard and 3 flashes timed 8 seconds apart.

We deliberately wanted something as surreal and obtuse as possible, but with at least our faces but very much avoiding the cheesy "stand in front of something and try and look cool" cliché:

http://a88.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/45/l_6fd4d46560818a5ea38c0a145ae09f9f.jpg

For those interested, I'm on the left ;)

That's pretty innovative and cool.

[woman4life]

I'd suggest checking out myspace. Find some bands that you like and see what they have. They often put their promo shots in a photo album on their site.

[Lefty Ray]

Here is one of my posters with the original photo in the lower left corner. The CD cover image on the lower right corner is also mine.

[Lefty Ray]

Here is another one. This was on their CD cover and the mini-posters shown below. Check my website and click on "Posters & Publicity"or "CD package"

http://www.leftyray.com/images/CD-Cover-Los-Amables.jpg

http://www.leftyray.com/images/half-sheet-600.jpg

[dou_b_14]

I got one...shot on monday...depending on the style of music, abandoned buildings are usually cool.
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/IMG_1563-70.jpg

[René Damkot]

An older one:
Filthy Nelly (Speedfolk):
http://www.moonglade.net/rene/070623FilthyNelly_def/source/image/rhd_20070623_filnel_0037cv3.jpg

[DigiRebelXTI]

Just took these friday...


http://optics.functionalparalysis.com/albums/userpics/HollisBrowne52-50_copy.jpg

http://optics.functionalparalysis.com/albums/userpics/HollisBrowne52-81_copy.jpg

http://optics.functionalparalysis.com/albums/userpics/HollisBrowne53-11_copy.jpg

http://optics.functionalparalysis.com/albums/userpics/HollisBrowne52-53_copy.jpg

[kaitanium]

wow havent check up on this thread for awhile. much thanks for sharing guys!

here was some of the results of mine...the rest are on my blog

if you want to see their music go to www.myspace.com/ayearremains

yea i know the girl is standing a little awkward in this one. oh well
http://s94753452.onlinehome.us/gal035864780/ayearremainbandPROMO/IMG_9961.jpg

http://s94753452.onlinehome.us/gal035864780/ayearremainbandPROMO/IMG_9982.jpg

http://s94753452.onlinehome.us/gal035864780/ayearremainbandPROMO/IMG_9904.jpg

http://s94753452.onlinehome.us/gal035864780/ayearremainbandPROMO/IMG_9805.jpg

[DigiRebelXTI]

Nice job! its a shame that one guy in the band had to break the trend and style of clothing...

[bacchanal]

Just some thoughts as person who buys a lot of music, not necessarily as a photographer (I don't really do promos, at least I haven't yet)...

I generally don't relate to the concept of an band or artist trying to look cool while standing in front of/on stuff. It seems like environmental portraits would be more meaningful...and I mean environmental as in the actual environment inhabited by the person or people being photographed, not some random environment like a junk yard or a back alley. I've always been drawn to studio, practice space or backstage photos or a at least some type of photo that both relates to the individual and to the music. If it's not going to be unique and different, it might as well have some context.
I also feel that straight studio portraits work well in certain situations, and I like the idea of experimental/unique lighting type shots such as niqqunos's example.

[itoru]

just wanna say that i hate those promo shots where band members are trying to look so cool. it's so lame, imho!

i like promos like these:

fugazi
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/103269.jpg


pearl jam
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/286489.jpg

[noxcuses1]

Tunnels to Holland:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2283372137_8b6eec9aa6.jpg

Sick Puppies:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2283372097_a92aa20006.jpg

Another Tunnels to Holland (something about this one I like):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2284157642_e760c659f1.jpg

[René Damkot]

i like promos like these:

You should link to someone else's image instead of posting... I agree the shot by Niels van Ieperen is nice though.

[kaitanium]

just wanna say that i hate those promo shots where band members are trying to look so cool. it's so lame, imho!



very nice indeed. but what you hate doesnt mean that the opposite should be the norm. photographing a band is about capturing their feel. sure theres room to add your own creativity but my band shot was serious because their music is.

btw, i wouldnt post other peoples pics without permission unless those are yours

[tokyopunk]

here's one of my band (took by my wife)
http://www.geocities.co.jp/MusicStar-Live/9615/images/127wall2.jpg

here's one of the band U.K.L

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3415/aquariumenemyjan08cd6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Stephan Cremer]

I don't have too much experience with bandshootings but I'm willing to do at least 10 more this year
so here are the first results:

goJA Moon Rockah
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2186407412_83c46d0d32_o.jpg

Sarn Athrad (editing as requested)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2226582831_97f3fac326_o.jpg

****ingham Palace
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1264/1453971531_34fa70f556_o.jpg

more to come
I am friends with quite a lot of the local bands here and I am doing this 1. for fun and 2. for free so there will be some new stuff soon

[niqqunos]

Here's a couple more of mine...

First few were last-minute "oh you've got your camera with you, and we're rehearsing, do you want to take a few snaps for the website?" jobs... a little Apple iPhoto PP later, and here's what happened. Personally, I quite like them, especially considering the lack of preparation!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/2162837862_bbaed0df84.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2112/2162037803_c476667b2e.jpg

These were actually organised properly, although most were either all ambient light or some fill flash...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/244/514654035_b7207475b9.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/207/514654091_85476d76d7.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/514653987_57f924daf0.jpg

Keep this thread alive people! My housemate owns a rehearsal studio that I occasionally work at for him, so I'm always around bands and I'm keen to get involved more in promo shoots - we have the space for a decent lighting setup and the studio is located in a former police station so there's cells out the back too that we could use for backdrops... I need all the inspiration I can get!

:)

[r6isnum1]

here's a few of mine i did about two months ago..

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/MAGNUStm/Band%20-%20Grupo%20Legacy/th_GrupoLegacy010copycopya.jpg (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/MAGNUStm/Band%20-%20Grupo%20Legacy/GrupoLegacy010copycopya.jpg)
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/MAGNUStm/Band%20-%20Grupo%20Legacy/th_GrupoLegacy003copycopycopy.jpg (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/MAGNUStm/Band%20-%20Grupo%20Legacy/GrupoLegacy003copycopycopy.jpg)
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/MAGNUStm/Band%20-%20Grupo%20Legacy/th_GrupoLegacy078copycopy.jpg (http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee204/MAGNUStm/Band%20-%20Grupo%20Legacy/GrupoLegacy078copycopy.jpg)

[Nouks]

http://s94753452.onlinehome.us/gal035864780/ayearremainbandPROMO/IMG_9982.jpg



Really like this one! :)

[bob-e]

Love the Fugazi photo. Great band. I always hated posing for band photos. Hard to not feel like a dork. Ours usually ended up like the Fugazi one.

Avoid brick wall shots at all costs :lol:

[b.d.bop]

Here's the b.d.bop Jazz Project.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/b_d_bop/HiQ_bdbop_BW_sm-1.jpg

[Stephan Cremer]

Hands of Blood
http://www.stephancremer.de/bands/002.jpg

taken 5 minutes after the band played a gig
just had a single strobe (on cam) and I had to hurry to enjoy the next band that was just starting to play

[RianFlynn]

Here are a few of my favorites from the last few months. Hope these help! Good luck and remember to focus on the eyes!

http://rianflynn.com/artists/promo/4.jpg

http://rianflynn.com/artists/promo/9.jpg

http://rianflynn.com/artists/promo/12.jpg

http://rianflynn.com/artists/promo/15.jpg

http://rianflynn.com/artists/promo/3.jpg

http://rianflynn.com/artists/promo/6.jpg

http://rianflynn.com/artists/promo/11.jpg

[Photodawg1]

Holy Cow Rian, A cut above you are! I love them all but really 1, 2, 3 and ESP 5! Brilliant.

[RianFlynn]

Hey thanks photodawg!

[René Damkot]

I like #2, 3, 4 and 5.
Bit too much of a halo on some, first and last two are overdone for my tastes.
(#5 as well, but it works there)
If not for the halos, #3 would be best. Now #2 wins :)

[RianFlynn]

#3s halo is because the sun is behind is head :)

Rian

[Photodawg1]

I bet you could Photoshop that halo a little. It is a great grab and showcase of the band. As a photog love 2, but from a band cover perspective 3 is the bomb!