First Paid Gig

[guitarman2977]

I shot my first band for money last weekend and would love to get a little feedback. The client was very happy with them, but he's a biased audience...

Thanks!

1.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/529396069_Lapwu-L.jpg

2.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/529396145_ozRfk-L.jpg

3.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/529396013_MZbCk-L.jpg

4.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/529395993_fT5hK-L.jpg

5.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/529395852_YtMuX-L.jpg

6.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/529395925_UUqub-L.jpg

7.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/529395966_wPK7i-L.jpg

8.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/529395800_ipxRi-L.jpg

[René Damkot]

I like #2, 3 and in particular 7.

[fenderstrat]

A great job well done. I particularly like the black and white guitarist shot!

By the way, were any of these shot with the 50mm 1.8? Interested to hear how it performed.....

[guitarman2977]

A great job well done. I particularly like the black and white guitarist shot!

By the way, were any of these shot with the 50mm 1.8? Interested to hear how it performed.....

Thanks. #2 and #8 above were the only ones shot with the 50 1.8. I have used it in dark bars with mixed results... the auto-focus tends to struggle but when it's on, the quality is good. It's just frustrating to miss a shot because the auto-focus is off. Now that I am starting to earn a little money from this all-consuming hobby, I have started the "lens fund" to get something a little more reliable than the nifty fifty for dark bars.

Here are a few more from that show with the 50 1.8 -- all were shot at f/2.2 or 2.5 at ISO 1600, except #10, which was at f/1.8

Cheers,

Jake

9.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/532878430_8P6rg-L.jpg

10.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/532878450_Rk2Sf-L.jpg

11.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/532878387_kvEea-L.jpg

12.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/532878362_zLJEU-L.jpg

13.
http://nickelhorse.smugmug.com/photos/532878333_bxJah-L.jpg

[BJWOK]

congrats on your first paid gig mate :)

i really like 02

[Zoso23]

#6 is my favourite, great capture.
you have some great shots in there.
well done.

[badgerW]

#s 9, 7, and 3 for me. Gotta love the lighting.

I wish I could have a paid gig :)

[Nevilleblack]

i love the color and expression on 6

[puzzle]

I think these shots are great, especially after experiencing how tough concert photography can be!

Any tips in regards to what goes through your head whilst shooting a concert?Location to shoot from, where to aim your flash, where to focus, shoot in M or Av, wait for the stagelights or just watch for the Performers actions/emotions ..?

I tried to stick to ISO 800, f2.8, 1/40 but failed miserably :( I got lucky with some shots but overall it was an embarrasing and frustrating experience feeling totally clueless.

[guitarman2977]

I think these shots are great, especially after experiencing how tough concert photography can be!

Any tips in regards to what goes through your head whilst shooting a concert?Location to shoot from, where to aim your flash, where to focus, shoot in M or Av, wait for the stagelights or just watch for the Performers actions/emotions ..?

I tried to stick to ISO 800, f2.8, 1/40 but failed miserably :( I got lucky with some shots but overall it was an embarrasing and frustrating experience feeling totally clueless.

Thank you everyone for the feedback and for the compliment, puzzle... as far as tips, I have never used a flash during a live music performance. I get acceptable results from my 30D at ISO 1600. I see you are using a 50D, which I think would do even better at high ISO. I always shoot RAW and in fully manual mode. I try to aim for the performer's face and have found pictures are more interesting when there's some type of expression on the subjects face.

One thing I've learned is really to be conscious of mics in people's faces and mic stands and cables getting in the way. Waiting for the lights to move over the performer's face or for them to step into the light also helps. I imagine shooting in Av would really confuse the camera if the lights keep changing. I start by setting my camera at the minimum I know I need to get a decent shot, say 1/100th of a second at f2.2 on ISO1600 or something and then make minor adjustments as needed. I've found shooting at 1/40 is pretty tough, unless the performer is barely moving or you can work in some artistic motion blur.

So to sum up, Puzzle, stick on your 85 1.8, set your camera to M and try shooting at 1/125 at ISO1600. And check the histogram to make sure you're not blowing out anything important like faces. Depending on the venue that still might not be enough light but I've had better luck boosting exposure a bit in Lightroom afterward than trying to save a brighter, blurier original. Practice and you get a feel for it. I have lots of friends in bands who I practiced on for about a year before finding anyone willing to pay me. The other thing I'd suggest is when you do get a good shot (look back at some of your "lucky" ones), really study it -- the camera settings, the composition, etc. and try to do more of that. Same goes for the ones that don't turn out. Learn what not to do.

Cheers,

Jake

[Trek_203]

congrats! images looks awesome!

[Prssinglecut]

Nice shots, #2 for me.

Phil

[CoryAllenPhotos]

I personally like 4/7 alot. Great job!

[Aerton]

Congratulations on your first Paid Gig!!

Real nice, 3,4, and 10 some of my favorites, encouraging that you where able to get these with an 85mm. 1.8. I have that same lens and I would love to try similar shots.
Any chance you can share how much did you charge packages etc.

Thank you.

[Joetaco]

#2 & #7 are my top picks. great set, great colors too.

[guitarman2977]

#2 & #7 are my top picks. great set, great colors too.

Thank you... a lot of people have mentioned liking #2... I like it most because the guy was actually playing the Eruption solo during that shot. I'm not a huge Van Halen guy but you gotta respect anyone who can nail that solo.

[guitarman2977]

Congratulations on your first Paid Gig!!

Real nice, 3,4, and 10 some of my favorites, encouraging that you where able to get these with an 85mm. 1.8. I have that same lens and I would love to try similar shots.
Any chance you can share how much did you charge packages etc.

Thank you.

Thanks... I actually shot these with the 50 1.8, not the 85 1.8. I recently just purchased the 100 f/2 which I didn't own during this show but it has delivered some nice shots the last couple weeks in dark bars.

I don't charge much... as I am just getting started and bands, in general, are completely broke, so it's hard to get much out of them. My basic "package" is $50 to come shoot for about an hour and then I email them about 50 of the best pictures or will drop a CD in the mail. I do make them sign a contract though stating I retain the copyrights but grant them permission to use the shots on their website, for promotion, etc. If they want to sell them or use them for merchandise or an album we'll need to talk more $$$ :)

I would obviously like to get to the point where I am working with larger bands or venues that have more money, but for now I am learning a lot and have already been able to fund one new lens so if I can do that every few months just from mixing my two loves of music and photography, I'm happy.

[alessandro2009]

I like especially 1-3-10.

Good luck. ;)