A Cappella Tournament (56k warning)- 500th Post!

[codex0]

I had the good fortune to shoot the ICCA (International Championship for Collegiate A Cappella) quarterfinal tournament last night. Because I am good friends with the host groups and have shot for them in the past, I got an event staff pass and got to locate myself wherever I wanted.

I ended up sprawled on the floor in front of the first row of seats, slightly to the left of the performing group. I shot in manual mode with ISO 800, f2.8, usually 1/200-1/250 sec and Tungsten white balance. I only adjusted white balance by 100K in post processing to preserve the look of the lighting.

I must say that I love my Sigma 70-200 f2.8, as I had to shoot everything at ISO 1600, 1/80 sec with my old lens.

Of the approximately 1,200 shots I took, I kept and edited 320. The group who I am most closely affiliated with, the Pennharmonics, were champions and will be competing in New York City later this year.

And now the pictures! Comments and criticism appreciated. (EXIF is intact)

Sorry for including so many; I had a hard time narrowing it down to just these


#1 About half of the first competing group of the night


#2 From the second competing group


#3 From the second competing group


#4 From the third competing group, the Pennharmonics


#5 From the Pennharmonics as well


#6 From one of the host groups - Savoir Faire


#7 The fourth competing group


#8 From the fifth competing group, Shades of Blue


#9 From one of the host groups, Savoir Faire


#10 From one of the host groups, Savoir Faire


#10 From one of the host groups, NOTA (None of the Above)


#11 The Pennharmonics immediately after the announcement that they won the championship

[DwightMcCann]

These are excellent. It is too bad that all the backgrounds are black (no stage lighting) but the quality of the images is superb. #7, the only full image seems a big soft ... but it is of a very pleasing style ... while I like the head and shoulders (and the effect in #5) it is nice to have a variety. Good job!

[René Damkot]

#2 and 3 are my favorites. 8's nice as well. All in all very nice job. Bad lighting though (not your fault, but the lightguys) on # 5 and 6. Maybe you could adjust them a bit in post? They are too dark now, and the shadows are totally closed.

[codex0]

Thanks for the comments! Regarding the lighting on #5 and 6, the lighting in the center was pretty good, but pretty spotty on the ends of the groups, where those two were (extreme right and left, respectively). The lighting/sound guy was trying to work with what the school has installed in that room; he's talking about getting some more lights to bring in for events. I'm pretty sure those were two of the biggest groups as well; most of the groups fit in the good light pretty well.

[Croasdail]

I like them a lot... very nicely executed. If it were me, which it wasn't, I would have gone a little looser. But that is just a nit. cheers!