The Slants

[DC Fan]

Odd that an Asian-themed West Coast rock band would call themselves "The Slants," (http://www.theslants.com/) but that's their name and they're sticking to it. They put on a show outside Denver:

http://www.fansview.com/2008/ndk/09132008c0606.jpg
http://www.fansview.com/2008/ndk/09132008c0641.jpg
http://www.fansview.com/2008/ndk/09132008c0688.jpg
http://www.fansview.com/2008/ndk/09132008c0757.jpg
http://www.fansview.com/2008/ndk/09132008c0566.jpg

[DwightMcCann]

I'd be interested in seeing what would happen with a wide open lens and no flash. Flash in the last did nothing but emphasize the crowd since it clearly had no effect on the band. You need to try to mix a bit more ambient light for the others.

As for their name, it seems appropriate if they are proud of their ethnicity and have a healthy sense of humor! :-)

[Andrushka]

looks like they have a good sense of humor for sure...

In pic #4 I love the expression on the girls face who is partially obscured by the bass's head stock...

[blackshadow]

I'd be interested in seeing what would happen with a wide open lens and no flash. Flash in the last did nothing but emphasize the crowd since it clearly had no effect on the band. You need to try to mix a bit more ambient light for the others.

As for their name, it seems appropriate if they are proud of their ethnicity and have a healthy sense of humor! :-)

I concur Dwight - I find the flash has killed the atmosphere of the shots.

[DC Fan]

I'd be interested in seeing what would happen with a wide open lens and no flash.

Already tried that. Shutter speeds were 1/6 at ISO 400.

[blackshadow]

It doesn't matter what size show I am shooting I always start at 1600 ISO - 400 just doesn't cut it for shooting bands.

[nineohtoo]

^agreed. ISO800 is as low as I'll go with no flash. I'd personally focus on getting the right shutter speed, and worry about the rest after. Push/pull later on, and focus on composition. If I shoot flash, I'm going full manual at ISO100. I've yet to try it, but I wanna try shooting a show with a ring flash for a effect. Nonetheless, I think I like shot two the most. I see he's got new hair too.

I got a chance to see and photograph The Slants this summer. Really cool band and nice guys. They've provided me with one of my best shots too. They were supposed to be here again recently for a small con, but they got taken off the list for some reason :\

[René Damkot]

Already tried that. Shutter speeds were 1/6 at ISO 400.

That's 1/25s at ISO 1600, 1/50s at ISO 3200 ;)
Not great, but do-able. Also, I see plenty of ambient in the first and last, even though you were at faster speeds... Wait for the light if you have to.

If you use flash, try to use it as fill, not main light.
Also think about the quality of light, not just quantity. Bounce the flash if at all possible.

[DC Fan]

If you use flash, try to use it as fill, not main light. Also think about the quality of light, not just quantity. Bounce the flash if at all possible.

Already considered that. Ceilings and side walls were 30 feet away. Stage lights weren't powerful enough to get a clear shot of performers in motion. Bounce card ate up too much power.

[René Damkot]

Seen this (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=451770)?

Not saying you needn't use flash, but if you use flash, do it nice.

[DC Fan]

The other problem with the hall: it had large hanging vertical acoustic panels from front to back. Great for damping sound and trapping light.

Had the hall been around 15 feet high with a neutral-colored ceiling, I would have found a big piece of white cardboard and used it as a bounce card - that's worked well in the past. Had the stage lights been run brighter - as they were for another event in the same hall - they would have been a good primary source. But this time, the only useful source for illumination was the ol' reliable 380ex.

[nineohtoo]

If that's the case, and you're set on using flash as opposed to fast primes, take the flash off camera and direct it so it blends more with the ambient light.