The Demerits: traditional Irish music Critique please

[gnats50]

I shot this band at my university last weekend. They play traditional Irish and American roots music with polyphonic arrangements (unique sound). You can check them out at:
http://www.myspace.com/demeritsband
and
http://johnmortensen.com/demerits.html

This was my first serious attempt at "performing arts" photography. I took my recently acquired 50mm f/1.4 (it's a good lens to use for this, right?)

How's my composition? People were packed in a small room, everyone was seated. There was alot of equipment and speakers surrounding the stage. There wasn't too much freedom to move around.

Also, how is the post processing? Too overdone? They might also be dark; my laptop screen makes things bright.

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


8.

[bacchanal]

These are really interesting, it looks like a cool event. I really like small shows like this where there isn't such a massive disconnect between the performers and the audience.

I understand how difficult it is to get decent compositions when there are that many mic stands and music stands around. I think you did a nice job. The only one that I don't really care for is the last one, in which the in focus subject's face is covered by the mic stand. Also, #2 looks a little blown out on the forehead. I can't believe you were shooting at such low ISOs, must have been pretty well lit in there. Oh, and I do kind of like the processing.

[gnats50]

Originally Posted by bacchanal

I can't believe you were shooting at such low ISOs, must have been pretty well lit in there.

Yeah, the stage had alot of light on it. I am not sure what shutter speeds I should have be aiming for.

[johnstoy]

2 and 5 are good... the other pics have mikes in the way... the composition and framing is reasonable on most of these... the focus is difficult to use for composition... The first pic with just the mike is weak on it's own... It might look better if sneaked into a large set of other pics from the performance... Sometimes, less is more, and in this case I'd just show the very best images, as the other ones take away from the presentation.

[René Damkot]

I like #2 and 6 best.
Agree about some mics and mic stands in the way on some.

Looks like there was a ton of light if you got away with ISO 400...

I'd have used ISO 800 or 1600 regardless, and enjoyed the chance to stop down a bit