A Few Band Pics Tips Appreciated

[TimMartin]

My first time shooting band pics. I'm not really diggin the on camera flash but when you're low on cash I guess thats what you have to go for. I should begetting a vivitar 285 soon tho.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/helenkellersees/Ryan2.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/helenkellersees/Gabe4.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/helenkellersees/Gabe3.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/helenkellersees/Dave3.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/helenkellersees/Dave1.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/helenkellersees/Chris1.jpg

[bennywager]

If I were you, on shots like no's. 1 and 2 I would use the flash with an arpiture of around f7\f8 and a fairly high shutter speed (about 1\100) this will get you a much sharper image as there is way to much motion blur imho.

The last shot, of the drummer, you have a fantastic oportunity with those stage lights to create some awesome effects. I'd of turned the flash off for this and used a fairly slow shutter speed around a second, give or take, although be careful as you need a really steady hand.

The only other thing I might add is to try and get more of the subject in the picture and as little backgorund as possible when it's against a nasty wall like that,
just my 2 cents,
keep up te good work,
hope to see more from you soon

[TimMartin]

Thanks for the tips. I am getting a vivitar 285 and got a nikon sync cord recently. I am going to try the light swirls with the band pics and hopefully get some good turnouts. Normally what do you shoot at when you take live photos? I tried 1 second shutters with an f stop of 5.6 but wasn't happy with the turnouts. Everything came out blurred and I want the person to stand out with the light swirls. I guess with time comes the experience. You will be seeing more work in the near future as well.

[jfrancho]

Tim,
Fist af all, welcome to the forum. There is a Q&A with Dwight McCann (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81761) that would interest you. Also, I can direct you to one of my recent galleries (http://plan-b.smugmug.com/gallery/617317/1/26144434). I enabled the view camera info feature so you can see what I was doing. Basically I use a fast lens, no flash, and shoot raw. That doesn't mean you can't use a flash - look into Charles Peterson's books on amazon - I just think you will be more satisfied without the flash, as it has a tendency to kill the mood.

[TimMartin]

Thanks for the great info. I am looking at your photos and am very impressed. I'm hoping I will pick up on this somewhat quick because I am going on tour with this band in 2 weeks to take pics for them. The settings of your photos is giving me a good sense of things. If anyone can give me some good tips to help make my photos like these on here. Just an example site http://www.timharmonphoto.com/
I was getting both the subject (person) blurred with the light swirls. it was kind of hectic trying to figure everything out in such a short notice.

[jfrancho]

It looks like he using an arsenal of techniques: slow synch flash, flash, fast lenses/fast aperture, slow shutter panning, you name - it's there. I can't really give you a crash course, but maybe let us know what equipment you have, and myself and the others may be able to suggest what you can do with what you have, and recommend some new stuff.

[TimMartin]

dslr-canon eos d60, 35-105mm lens

35mm- nikon fm3a, 50mm 1.8, zenitar fish, lots of film

That's pretty much all I'm working with.

Sorry for asking such newb questions. I know a lot about photography from trial and error, but don't have the time in this case for live band pics.

[jfrancho]

I'd startworking with 50, but no flash, wide open to about f/2.5, in Av mode. Make sure you are getting at least 1/50 sec. shutter. You'll likely have to bump the ISO up. See my pics for camera info, they tell the story. I will shoot down to 1/30 sec. with the 50, but some say my pics are soft. Once I got a bunch of those shots, I would take no less than 100 pics a night with fisheye. I might want the flash for that, and go BnW. I'd like to see those pics. I have no idea where to start with fish as far as settings, but I'd say run some scenarios through the DOF Calculator (http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html) to make sure you get the desired depth. The long zoom will likely be better during daylight hours, getting casual pics of the band. The 50 will be great for that, too. Good luck, and have a blast.

[DwightMcCann]

I see the young bucks have already given you a lot to work with, Tim. I shoot in two venues, one with OK lighting and one with magnificent state-of-the-art lighting, so it's hard for me to offer much about shooting in smaller places like this. As JF pointed out we are having discussions about event photography at http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81761... in which you are more than welcome to participate.