Sugarland in Concert at the Maverick Saloon, July 1, 2004

[DwightMcCann]

Sugarland, a rising star among young country groups, often seen on CMT and other country media, hit the Nashville to You Radio Acoustic Tour before their first CD was released. In fact, somewhere I have a pre-release version with its homemade looking cover. They were the first Nashville to You group that I was really impressed by and felt that they would someday be a big winner. I tried to interest them in my images, but they apparently teamed up early on with a teenage girl who has some photographic talent, although I imagine by now that their own PR gig is managed by their record contract! So, here's Sugarland:



Below is Jennifer Nettles, the lead vocalist, signing autographs with a bottle of wine from my vineyard and winery client, Casa Cassara!


Here's Christian Bush, amazing string player:


And more of Jennifer:






And last, but not least, Kristen Hall, who wrote most of the Sugarland material and who I am given to believe just very recently has left the group to have more time for her family ... it's hard to be a soccer Mom and on the road over half the year.


As always, comment, critique, copy and edit. I have another concert of Sugarland later in the series so keep your eyes peeled!

[queenbee288]

These are great shots! I can't believe there are not comments. What were your setting and lens used.

[Mills]

More good work Dwight. The second to last is my favorite. The lighting and motion blur of her arms make it especially interesting.

[DwightMcCann]

Queenbee, thank you. Very few here ever heard of Sugarland, yet, I am sure. And I only heard recently that Kristen has dropped out of the group. I'm not sure what Jennifer and Christian are doing as I don't follow country music even though I photograph it. These were shot with a Fuji S2 Pro and Nikkor lenses and I don't have the EXIF handy, but probably with a 80-200mm f/2.8.

Mills, thanks.

[TeeJay]

More fabulous pictures Dwight. It never ceases to amaze me the clarity that you get in your shots - especially with the lighting that you often have to contend with!

[DwightMcCann]

TeeJay, I cheat! Instead of shooting ten or fifteen frames, I shoot hundreds! I shot The Spinners at the casino Saturday night (pictures in the pipeline) and shot 1064 frames which will condense down to 20 or so! I often use a tripod. I use IS lenses (and Nikkor VR lenses before that.) I bracket. I use the best glass in the world. At the Maverick I can do anything and go anywhere, but I have found that shooting from the audience is optimal ... I have been known to sit in laps of the front row patrons or take empty seats at front row tables when the patrons use the indoor plumbing. I am fearless.

[René Damkot]

Nice as usual... But: What is the bluish hue to the BG / top of the image on #4 and #6?

[DwightMcCann]

Rene, a very bright neon Michelob Beer sign that shines right into the stage, where the effect can be seen more clearly in this image of Scotty Emerick:



and in this image of Cledus T. Judd where I was shooting way to the side:

[René Damkot]

In the Netherlands there is a saying: "Drank maakt meer kapot dan je lief is" ('Drink ruins more than you('ld) like' roughly translated) Seems appropriate here

[DwightMcCann]

Rene, and here I thought that the blue light added a bit of interest. I could use a beer right now, sigh, but I am at work (perhaps because I am at work!)

[taygull]

Great Band, Great Shots, man I got tired of saying that on your post!

[DwightMcCann]

Tay, do you have any idea how often people complain that they always have to say nice things about my images? It is relentless! I'm thinking about only posting my outtakes if this keeps up. Just take your praise, cut & paste it into a plain text file somewhere and when you start looking at my images, open the file, cut & paste into the Quick Reply pane and hit Post Quick Reply. Or, you can wait until Rene share his observations and finds the crap I missed and then cut & paste his comments ... although he may take exception to that!

Oh, wait, wait, perhaps I misunderstood ... was that simply a left-handed compliment?

[TeeJay]

Originally Posted by DwightMcCann

TeeJay, I cheat! Instead of shooting ten or fifteen frames, I shoot hundreds! I shot The Spinners at the casino Saturday night (pictures in the pipeline) and shot 1064 frames which will condense down to 20 or so! I often use a tripod. I use IS lenses (and Nikkor VR lenses before that.) I bracket. I use the best glass in the world. At the Maverick I can do anything and go anywhere, but I have found that shooting from the audience is optimal ... I have been known to sit in laps of the front row patrons or take empty seats at front row tables when the patrons use the indoor plumbing. I am fearless.

Good grief Dwight, 1064 frames? - I though I took a lot at around 650 or so!

[DwightMcCann]

TeeJay, well, I did it across about 90 minutes! And I bracket three frames at a time, so it is almost like I only shoot 350 frames.

[dzstudios]

Originally Posted by DwightMcCann

TeeJay, I cheat! Instead of shooting ten or fifteen frames, I shoot hundreds! I shot The Spinners at the casino Saturday night (pictures in the pipeline) and shot 1064 frames which will condense down to 20 or so!

... I have been known to sit in laps of the front row patrons or take empty seats at front row tables when the patrons use the indoor plumbing. I am fearless.

You warm the cockles of my heart!

However, until the end of april (new financial year), I'm going to ignore your comments about lenses and pretend you never said it..... we dont want to encourage HIM.