Divas With Heart **Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Dianna Ross**

[bigbaby987]

This show was last night and myself and another exceptional Canon photographer (Robert Monroe) were the official photographers. Please enjoy.

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[Grace]

True Diva's indeed! Great pics! I hate that they are so small and the fingertips are snipped in that one..but great other than that! What a great opportunity!

You should put these in performing arts! Those guys would love them.

[bigbaby987]

Thank you Grace. It was a spectacular show, and yes I definitely hate the fingers got clipped, but we only had "one", count it.. ONE song to photograph for each "diva". The challenging part was exposing the first act (Gladys Knight). She had this super glittery dress with tons of jewels and she has dark skin (like me) and an absolute wall of stage lighting (not just from the rafters). This is where it got a little tricky. And to top it off again.. You had 3 minutes to adjust shoot, compose, and walk away with keepers. (You want to get paid and credit at the end of the night.. ya know?)

Either way, it was a ball and I'm ecstatic that I had the oppornity. Now, I'm tired. I actually had an extensive portrait session with about 10 people and then had to hurry to the show. I'm tired and have to edit the portriat session now.. Just thought I'd share.

Thanks again for your comments..


***by the way**** Mods could you please move this to the appropriate area???


Thanks again.
Ben

[mono55]

Very nice series, but what is that THING that Chaka Khan is wearing? It's possibly the most horrendous concert outfit I've ever seen.

[FlyingPhotog]

Great work. The 5th one of Patti is really special. Great expression!

[bigbaby987]

LOL Mono!!!! My friend called it an "elf" outfit. Granted she was fashion train wreck compared to the others.. She really needed a gown or something. But I know Chaka, and that's really not her style ya know. Nonetheless, take one for the team right?

Thanks Flying.. That pic of Patti is my favorite of the night.........I think... I'm sure you can understand.

[René Damkot]

Nice images and expressions, certainly considering the time you had.
Pity about the fingers indeed.

One thing that bugs me is that a lot of images, except #6, look a bit "flat", like too much highlight recovery was used... Most visible in #7, but also in #3, 4 and 5.

[bigbaby987]

Rene I agree. The main ones you point out weren't highlight recovery per se. Mainly, the Dianna Ross pics we were put in the corner of the building, so you're going to get what you're given. There's no lighting control here, but I am definitely taking you comments into consideration.

I took over 200 pictures from the night, and these are the first few that I dig. I have more of Bernie William of the Yankees playing his axe and more..

LONG NIGHT..

[DwightMcCann]

I've shot almost all of those ladies and know that they are a bit difficult to start with and that they have some strange requirements and can dress, well, er, ah, oddly. Who were you associated with that as "Official Photographers" you were restricted with a song limit? As for the images, I agree with Rene.

[bigbaby987]

Cool Dwight. I was hired by the radio station that was promoting the event. 98.7 KISS FM, one of the biggest radio stations in New York City. The restriction was for everyone. The pit had VIP's (Cicely Tyson, Ashford and Simpson, and tons more) where we would normally be, and to be courteous we had to stay out of their way. I had all access, but while the show was going on.. "All Access" didn't mean a thing. Although I got to go to places others definitely were not allowed before and after the show. Please take note that this is Radio City Music in Hall New York City. Not some concert venue where just anybody can perform or roam around with a camera. Well, actually I was a bit pissed because p&s cameras could be used by the crowd at any time. There were quite a few shots that I begged to try and get during the show. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING lighting. Especially this part where Chaka sang "Through the Fire" and everyone had blue glow sticks and the stage lighting looked liked a perfect sunset... AWWWWGHHH.. But the chief of the pit was there and we couldn't even shoot from the vestibule.

The one thing you don't want to do is piss off Madison Square Garden offices who own Radio City and other very high profile venues in the city. So you follow the rules, All Access or not. Or you could be black balled and never get into a show again regardless of who hired you or be fined $25,000. Something I'm not willing to pay for a photograph unless I'm making a 100k off of it. And then, I still don't think I'd take it. That's my name on the line, and in a lot of cases that's all you got. There are a ton of good photographers out here, so who cares about your skills (granted that they are upt to par). It's that simple.

But I definitely see where you're coming from with the critique and will take it to heart.

Thanks again


I don't think the pictures have been posted by the radio station's website yet. But should be soon.

[kikakiki2]

I am so disappointed but I can't see these pics?

[DwightMcCann]

Ah, yes, I thoroughly understand. I always have an "All Access" badge at the casino along with my casino PhotoID badge which unlocks the garage and lots of office suite doors but it means nothing when it comes to photographing, it just lets me wander around. Some performers have no restrictions and others are all about restrictions and control. I've had a tour manager who had rules about "photographers must leave the building after shooting" accost me in the hallway where I was talking to the Executive Director of Player Development and had to have him intercede explaining that we were on unrelated business ... amazingly the guy just said, "Oh!" and walked away. There is almost unlimited ego among many "stars" and their entourages, making life for working people difficult, and then they want special treatment and 'help' when they stumble, sigh. As for giving "big names" special privileges I guess I do that, too, although I am ethically against it, but as long as my management wants that from me they can have it ... fortunately my management at the casino is more on my side than the talent but they have limits and getting around the shooting limits is just too awkward. I'm happy with their effort.

It is interesting that the boxing and MMA events have very few restrictions and seem to appreciate that access means publicity. Showtime personnel from the executive producer, director, producer, stage manger, floor manager, etc. all not only allow me all sorts of latitude (like putting a still camera in the lighting truss) but will actively work with me within their own schedules to get additional coverage. I have been invited by Geno (the lead camera operator) to shoot stills when he does the dramatic lighting shots of the fighters down in the boiler room. Last Friday at ShoBox: The New Generation (see http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=498196) they left the ring and lighting running for about 30 minutes so I could get the Ring Girls into the ring for a shoot ... even got the stage manager in the pictures. Showtime has been a first class outfit along with Gary Shaw Productions for the 3-1/2 years I have been their stuff at the casino. I don't know why some singers/bands are such control whores! :-)

[bluesmap]

stunning phoots. diana ross looks stunning. as do the others. i even like that "elf" outfit

[bigbaby987]

http://www.987kissfm.com/gallery/divaswithheart08.aspx


Here's the link to the station website gallery...