Poncho Sanchez @ Chumash Casino Resort, September 19, 2008

[DwightMcCann]

We had a "little event" the night after Randy Owen played the casino. We used to have these Latin music events fairly regularly the first year or two I shot at the casino, but they've tapered off. However, some of the higher ups were ready for another as they usually pack the Samala Room. Pancho is a conga player and band leader ... you can check him our here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poncho_Sanchez). So, with no further interruptions, here's Poncho Sanchez:

#1 Obligatory collage:
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/PonchoSanchez09192008/fullsize/PonchoSanchezCollage-1024.jpg

#2 Not a lot of action on stage so the images are mostly close ups and stage shots.
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/PonchoSanchez09192008/fullsize/PonchoSanchez003.jpg


#3
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/PonchoSanchez09192008/fullsize/PonchoSanchez010.jpg

#4 He did notice I was shooting:
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/PonchoSanchez09192008/fullsize/PonchoSanchez023.jpg


#5
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/PonchoSanchez09192008/fullsize/PonchoSanchez039.jpg

#6 Full stage
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/PonchoSanchez09192008/fullsize/PonchoSanchez043.jpg

#7
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/PonchoSanchez09192008/fullsize/PonchoSanchez045.jpg

#8
http://dwightmccann.com/Images/PonchoSanchez09192008/fullsize/PonchoSanchez067.jpg

There are a few more on my website at http://dwightmccann.com/ChumashCasinoResort/PonchoSanchez09192008.html for the interested Latin aficionados.

[londonblue007]

Really like #3, and the look in #4 is awesome. 6, 7, 8 are great as well. Excellent framing and lighting. 5 Looks soft, I think the focus point is the mic stand in front of the congas. Exposures are good all around, which I bet was tough with the white hat and shirt.

It's tough to shoot a percussionist with all those mic's and stands around him, so kudos to you for getting good stuff with all that crap around him. (This is one of those times you'll actually hear me, a sound guy, say mics and mic stands are crap. Usually I would say the mics are more important that the instruments they are there to pic up:D ).

[DwightMcCann]

Thanks, I started off by finding a spot on the front of the stage to the left with my 300mm and just shot until I went blind! He noticed the big white lens and looked a few times, but most of those my buffer was full. :-) He was very good, but his opener, Ronnie Gutierrez was better. Ronnie had brought one case of CDs with him but the merch line ran the whole length of the Samala Room so I expect the last half just got autographs on whatever they could find to write on. Sadly, I don't normally shoot the openers much and only had about a dozen marginal images. I should know better.

[René Damkot]

I like 3 somehow... I'll have a second look in a while ;)

[simonSE15]

I like these, his personality really comes across in the shots. Especially in the collage & #4. :)

[DwightMcCann]

I like these, his personality really comes across in the shots. Especially in the collage & #4. :)

Thanks, Simon. He does have a big personality but since he just sits behind those drums, plays and chats, there's not a lot of variety.

[donmynac]

Love me some Poncho Sanchez. Saw him in a small jazz club last year, and the contrast in stage setup really intrigues me. Thus, I my favorites are those which emphasize the grander layout: 7,8. Great captures of his expressions as well.

Josh

[DwightMcCann]

Love me some Poncho Sanchez. Saw him in a small jazz club last year, and the contrast in stage setup really intrigues me. Thus, I my favorites are those which emphasize the grander layout: 7,8. Great captures of his expressions as well.

Josh
Thanks, Josh.

[S.E.V.]

Dammit Dwight! I hate you and you expensive gear:p

Sevan

[silvex]

All solid! I love the connection on #4.

[DwightMcCann]

Dammit Dwight! I hate you and you expensive gear:p

Sevan

Well, make a weekend of it with your girl and I'll let you shoot with my equipment!

All solid! I love the connection on #4.
Yeah, he seemed so preoccupied and then saw me leaning on the corner of the stage and watched until he saw me get off a few shots! Did that a couple of times.

[johnstoy]

These are great... Love the composition, colors and timing...#5 and #6 work for me... plus the close ups are real complimentary to the entire set... Good job.

[S.E.V.]

Well, make a weekend of it with your girl and I'll let you shoot with my equipment!


:shock: No way. Ok I will see what i can do.

[René Damkot]

Yep. still like #3, despite all the clutter :lol:

#6 is cropped a bit too close at the bottom IMO. Feels unbalanced. (and you lost some feet on the left ;))

#8 and the collage are nice, but I'd soften the transition from microphone to background.

[DwightMcCann]

These are great... Love the composition, colors and timing...#5 and #6 work for me... plus the close ups are real complimentary to the entire set... Good job.

Thank you, John.

:shock: No way. Ok I will see what i can do.
Well, we talked about it before so you could work with me on HDR but then I heard nothing from you. :-)

Yep. still like #3, despite all the clutter :lol:

#6 is cropped a bit too close at the bottom IMO. Feels unbalanced. (and you lost some feet on the left ;))

#8 and the collage are nice, but I'd soften the transition from microphone to background.
I agree on #6 and can't remember why it is that way. The collage was an issue because the microphone ended in a bad place but I can see that it could have blended rather than being abrupt. Thanks for the idea.