Broomstock 07

Every year the city of Broomfield,CO puts on their own little music festival, mostly as an end of the school year type party featuring punk, hardcore, and indie bands. I went as a fun thnig to do/practice. This is the second time I've shot music. By the time the sun went down my card was full so i had to skip the last 2 bands.

Any CC is definitely welcomed as I would like to dive a little deeper into concert photography and improve as much as possible.

1. Abilene

#2 and 3 are nice, allthough #3 really should have been framed wider.
#4 is more then *a bit* soft... Focus is on the arm, not the head.
#5 is nice, but the BG is distracting.
#6: Flash kills it.
On the last, I think I'd have preferred the head stock. Nice otherwise.

Ya it was a bit tough since I was shooting from the crowd, alot of times if i tried wider shots I ended up with either heads at the bottom of the frame or tons of negative space at the top

But all of the bands have been super pleased and excited about the photos so hopefully Ill get opportunities to shoot them again.

any other advice??

Not much advise from me am afraid Rene pretty much said it all, but i really like 2 and 3, you have managed to capture energy and well a cool/crazy haircut lol.
Cheers

thanks very much livewire and Rene, these have been really well recieved so Im hoping to continue shooting more shows and improving!

Hello there!

These look so familiar - we support a few local 'grass roots rock festies' and its not easy to get glamorous shots.

When we cover an outdoor festival, its important to capture the "summery" "outdoorsy" feeling - which you've done great in the first few shots.

Shot 4,5, and 6 are very 'flat' looking - and although you can obviously not control the weather - you do have Photoshop. And jacking up the saturation and contrast a titch, will add a bit of sunny sparkle.

For example - if shot 4 had a blazing blue sky behind it (or even a vague hint of blue sky) - you would be completely forgiven for the slight lack of sharpness.

I guess its all about ambience - either use the sunny outdoors, or the lighting at the event, to make people feel they wish they were there.

A final word:

Bands are always happy about their pics... especially if they've never seen anything better.

Although that is important - you shouldn't use it as your only yard stick. Mostly they don't know the first thing about photography - So keep a balance -- keep pursuing technical excellence AND make sure you please your fans!

Really nice shots. Is it me, my monitor, or both? On number 6 I see a double left hand?

Thanks for the tips, I am only taking the praise from the bands lightly, but with as many more experienced concert photographers there are around here, it was nice to hear. I will spend some more time with them in PS and see what becomes of them.

Michael1116 wrote in post #3358275
Really nice shots. Is it me, my monitor, or both? On number 6 I see a double left hand?

The 'massive one' is lit by the flash, the streak is motion blur in the time the shutter was opened...