Help Me Improve Stage Photography :)

Were taken on Java Jazz Festival 2011, held in Jakarta, Indonesia..

George Benson
#1

You certainly like extreme contrast in your images, which is not for everyone. I prefer a more modest contrast level, though with bright lights and dark areas some comes without choice. I would crop photo 2 and 4 more.

And why are you stopping down so much? 50mm itself brings a bit of depth of field already on an aps-c dSLR. Seeing your aperture values and looking at the images again, you could probably due with less depth of field. Which will allow you to down your ISO and improve detail and sharpness.

If you do a lot of this type of photography, or want to do more, consider buying a 85 f1.8 or 100 f2 for better autofocus in low light and better IQ and sharpness near wide open.

Robert, thanks for dropping by.
Upon quick review on my LCD, it appears that on f/2.8 it's not sharp enough on the subject's face, let alone the eyes, so I have to stop down more.
I believe this has got something to do with focus accuracy you mentioned above.
About the lower ISO and wider aperture, that's something I'll work on in the future.
Once again, thanks.

Nice captures, hard to criticise given the harsh stage environment. Good to see old Juddy Benson still going strong.

corkneyfonz wrote in post #11983874
Nice captures, hard to criticise given the harsh stage environment. Good to see old Juddy Benson still going strong.

Thanks matey..

Don't use the LCD for that. Use the center AF point & trust the DOF tables.
You're far enough away from the subject that he will be sharp at f/2 IF your shutter speed is fast enough. Try to keep the exif info in the images next time so we can see what it was.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #11987377
Don't use the LCD for that. Use the center AF point & trust the DOF tables.
You're far enough away from the subject that he will be sharp at f/2 IF your shutter speed is fast enough. Try to keep the exif info in the images next time so we can see what it was.

Yeah maybe my shutter speed wasn't far enough.
I do use the center AF point to focus on the subject's eyes, and thanks for the link to the DOF table.
Thank you Frank, this is why I love posting in the Critique Corner.

Love the George Benson image man!!!

Thanks, Scott!

Faster and sharper glass. 135 f2L or the 200 f2L both sharp at f2. Your images look a bit soft and theres some motion blur so try and get your speed up. If you like the range of the 50mm move up to the 50 1.4, you'll be able to shoot faster, focus better and have nicer color than the 1.8 can produce plus you can find them at a decent price used.

Is the 85 1.8 sharp enough wide open?
Can't really afford the L primes at the moment.

Those appear to be severely cropped...you need longer glass for something like that.

Thanks, Chauncey.

jwicaksana wrote in post #12003506
Is the 85 1.8 sharp enough wide open?
Can't really afford the L primes at the moment.

Barbara Payton at the Carrick House Concert 11/23/08

Very high-contrast. Second image looks to have either sensor dust or dead pixels all ove the image?