Suggestions for an upcoming shoot

I have two shoots coming up at the end of the month with Ryan Adams and The Cardinals. They are in the midst of a "ninja" tour that Ryan dubbed the Blue Cave. Basically they are showcasing songs from a soon to be released album and have stage these intimate shows to put the focus on the tunes, not the performers. As you can see in the below photos, which I am showing to illustrate the stageing/lighting, the lighting is very dark and *cavey*. I am hoping to caputure the mood of the staging, more than the performers on these shoots.

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These are all from a distance. If you have the chance, I'ld go up close, using my 20/1.8, 28/1,8 and 50/1.4 (That's on a 1D body). More intimate that way...
The 'long' shots are easier, but less 'amongst' the performers.
Doesn't look *too bad* lighting wise: Last one is 1/50 f/2.8 at ISO 400. So ISO 1600 would have given about 'good' exposure...
Looks like contrast will be hell however, so shoot RAW.

René Damkot wrote in post #3360014
These are all from a distance. If you have the chance, I'ld go up close, using my 20/1.8, 28/1,8 and 50/1.4 (That's on a 1D body). More intimate that way...
The 'long' shots are easier, but less 'amongst' the performers.
Doesn't look *too bad* lighting wise: Last one is 1/50 f/2.8 at ISO 400. So ISO 1600 would have given about 'good' exposure...
Looks like contrast will be hell however, so shoot RAW.

Thank you, René.

I will have opportunity to be close since the dates I can shoot will be in very small rooms (under 500) and there won't be a balcony. I was thinking the 50/1.4 would give me a bit more light. I know that the 17-55 2.8 will be used, just looking for more options. I will be shooting RAW.

As for the lighting, from my location in the front of a balcony, the last shot is pretty close to exactly what I saw with the eye. With the ISO 1600 setting, I will be able to take a faster exosure and still get the feel.

Say "Ski" I don't see your gear list...

However, I'd consider not hesitating to use ISO 3200 if available (when needed).

Also, like Rene recommends, the short, fast lenses will let you take intimate, low light shots, thus exposing the atmosphere more accurately...

With slower lenses, you would miss the low light feeling...

I like the idea you are after... It really is nice to see these shots, especially with out flash...

i like #2 quite a bit, actually.

for real low light shots like this, i would also consider b/w conversion, bumping contrast, and adding some noise.

johnstoy wrote in post #3363757
Say "Ski" I don't see your gear list...

You do now. Not much of one, but it's mine.

johnstoy wrote in post #3363757
However, I'd consider not hesitating to use ISO 3200 if available (when needed).

Also, like Rene recommends, the short, fast lenses will let you take intimate, low light shots, thus exposing the atmosphere more accurately...

With slower lenses, you would miss the low light feeling...

I like the idea you are after... It really is nice to see these shots, especially with out flash...

My body only goes to ISO 1600, but I will keep that in mind for the future. I have a feeling another body is in my future. The short, fast lens is what I think I might need for this gig. Although with the IS I have taken sharp pictures consistantly at 1/20 sec, I know that some moments are lost to me at that shutter speed.

Thanks you for *getting* what I am attempting to do with these shoots. The band seems very purposeful in what they want the staging to do and it will probably never be done again. I would like to have as accurate as possible archive of this tour. I have been told that in the fall it will be Red Cave..."fret-crushing, face-melting, lasers and ****." Now that should be fun. Although with Ryan, there might not be any light on the performers just lasers pointed at the audience.

narlus wrote in post #3363913
i like #2 quite a bit, actually.

for real low light shots like this, i would also consider b/w conversion, bumping contrast, and adding some noise.

Thank you. I like most of the shots that night, but it was only a test to prepare for these upcoming shows. I was considering b/w conversion, may still do some, but I am trying to capture the dark, rich lighting that conveys the mood. I already know that the performers faces will mostly be in shadow.

skifurthur wrote in post #3365808
My body only goes to ISO 1600,

You could ff course shoot Raw, and underexpose one stop (if all else fails) to get ISO 3200. (and a bit of noise).
As a benefit, it will be easier to recover highlights

René Damkot wrote in post #3366728
You could ff course shoot Raw, and underexpose one stop (if all else fails) to get ISO 3200. (and a bit of noise).
As a benefit, it will be easier to recover highlights

Thank you. I will keep that tip in mind during this project. I am getting a bit more comfortable with noise and how to exist with it...or not.