Let's Get Radical: Gogol Bordello

[gregpphoto]

This was the most fun show to ever shoot! If you get a chance go see them, they put on one amazing circus-like performance.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3157531413_729b42aeb1_o.jpg

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[gregpphoto]

One more:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/3158362726_f4a94cde79_o.jpg

[DougP]

Agreed. I've seen them 7 times so far (as they're my favorite band) and no one puts on a show like GB.

one of these days i'll actually get a photo pass for one of their shows.

[Nouks]

Really nice set, must be fun to photograph them. I love #2.

[gregpphoto]

Agreed. I've seen them 7 times so far (as they're my favorite band) and no one puts on a show like GB.

one of these days i'll actually get a photo pass for one of their shows.

Actually, I shot this sans pass, and I even paid for the ticket, first time I've done that, ever? Hmm. I emailed the band beforehand but got no response.

Really nice set, must be fun to photograph them. I love #2.

Yea, #2 is my fav as well. The whole group was moving back and forth across the stage in unison, like true gypsies lol. They started at the far end of the stage, so I quickly went about changing from my 35 to my fisheye. I was moving as fast as I could, and I just got the lens on (and cap off!) in time to shoot that shot and a few others before they made their way back to the other side.

[narlus]

#2 definitely captures the carnival feel. 4 would be improved if you had more of eugene's face in the shot.

[gregpphoto]

#2 definitely captures the carnival feel. 4 would be improved if you had more of eugene's face in the shot.

You mean Pedro? Yea, agreed, and I have some where his face is more visible, but this happened to be the one that I caught someones flash in (makes me wanna have an assistant holding a pocket wizard'ed flash to the side when I shoot shows hehe).

[narlus]

You mean Pedro?


see, i told you there wasn't enough of his face. :lol:

[blackshadow]

Great series of photos here Greg - I like the way you have managed to capture the old theatre in the shots as it adds to the overall atmosphere. Well done.

[roman_t]

great set. one of my fav live artists. saw a movie with him "filth & wisdom" he is good actor as well.

[johnstoy]

Ah, it's this guy again... Apparently, his show is just full of wild action... It's difficult to time the shots just right with this much motion on stage...

You would have had to shoot about 1000 pics to get around the mikes, and the best sides of their faces... Otherwise, it's pretty good action.

[DwightMcCann]

#1 & #2 are stunners! Now this looks like a group I would really love to shoot. And the drummer girls are to die for! :-)

[gregpphoto]

Ah, it's this guy again... Apparently, his show is just full of wild action... It's difficult to time the shots just right with this much motion on stage...

You would have had to shoot about 1000 pics to get around the mikes, and the best sides of their faces... Otherwise, it's pretty good action.

Are you saying these photos aren't timed well? I was actually surprised at how high my keeper rate was shooting at 1/80 sec for most of the show, and found shooting them to be oddly relaxing, lol.

#1 & #2 are stunners! Now this looks like a group I would really love to shoot. And the drummer girls are to die for! :-)

Couldn't agree more.

[johnstoy]

Are you saying these photos aren't timed well? I was actually surprised at how high my keeper rate was shooting at 1/80 sec for most of the show, and found shooting them to be oddly relaxing, lol.


The last two from post #1 are somewhat shy of *face*... No big deal... That's why I asked if 1000 pictures would help you catch just the perfect moment... I know you're very proud of your work, so are probably defensive about this... Just out of curiosity...How may pics did you actually take at this show?

[gregpphoto]

The last two from post #1 are somewhat shy of *face*... No big deal... That's why I asked if 1000 pictures would help you catch just the perfect moment... I know you're very proud of your work, so are probably defensive about this... Just out of curiosity...How may pics did you actually take at this show?

Oh I wasn't being defensive at all! I made around 600 shots that night, out of which 90% were in focus and not blurry, which shocked me. I've shot much calmer acts and gotten much worse results. Personally I never get more than one or two dope money shots per show, and I got one killer on from this one (shot #2) and one pretty good one (#1). I only posted the 5 I did here so people could get an idea of what one their shows is like.

And I've long stopped fretting over faces. When I first started shooting that's all I concerned myself with. Now, I look for more subtle things to focus on. I just try to make an interesting and captivating image. Sometimes, a clear shot of a face is critical for that look, but others require a bit of the rough and nasty.

[johnstoy]

600 shots is usually, way plenty... I shoot bracketed in sets of three rapid shots... usually average 720-1250 per show... many are real close to identical... The sort sometimes becomes a hastle... So I stopped shooting for now... But, faces are still what I strive for... And the shows I shoot sort of yield themselves to it...

Fast moving shows, like this one you shot, are just too fast to hassle over getting perfect shots...

Maybe after three or four of these shows... a collection of the very best would do the trick for me... But than again, would I want to see the show again, after the first one? That's another reason I often don't shoot... Done it once before, has been my excuse lately.
The group shots are real good action... Good job.

[gregpphoto]

600 shots is usually, way plenty... I shoot bracketed in sets of three rapid shots... usually average 720-1250 per show... many are real close to identical... The sort sometimes becomes a hastle... So I stopped shooting for now... But, faces are still what I strive for... And the shows I shoot sort of yield themselves to it...

Fast moving shows, like this one you shot, are just too fast to hassle over getting perfect shots...

Maybe after three or four of these shows... a collection of the very best would do the trick for me... But than again, would I want to see the show again, after the first one? That's another reason I often don't shoot... Done it once before, has been my excuse lately.
The group shots are real good action... Good job.

Yea, out of that 600, theres only maybe 100 individual "shots."

I try not to shoot the same band too often, I find I get stagnant. I used to photograph a particular local band at every opportunity and after a while, it got beat, photo-wise. But the music never gets old!

All I wanted to do with this concert was show the radicalness of the band and of the crowd, which I think I did. Faces were kinda outta the question anyway since I had left my telephoto at home so I could dance better lol. I wasn't getting paid so I didn't feel the need to be as thorough as I would if I were on assignment.

[DougP]

they were just here in DC this past weekend but i had to be out of town for it.

i've got a bunch of P&S snapshots of Gogol B. from early small club gigs but nothing like your great shots here.

[gregpphoto]

they were just here in DC this past weekend but i had to be out of town for it.

i've got a bunch of P&S snapshots of Gogol B. from early small club gigs but nothing like your great shots here.

I think that was a reading of a the Taras Bulba, if I'm not mistaken. And thank you!

[skifurthur]

Nice job. Webster can be an ordeal to shoot from the floor and you captured the band's essence.

[gregpphoto]

Nice job. Webster can be an ordeal to shoot from the floor and you captured the band's essence.

I know what you mean. Bowery Ballroom does that me, I think they're stage is even higher though.