drummer

[ZJChaser]

MY first time shooting a concert(the band I started and played in for 5 years) and I was stuck with my wide angle and almost non existent lighting so I put the 430ex to use. I decided to play with slow shutters and second curtain flash for fun. First time shooting completely manual as well so it was a good learning experience. I think this is one of the better that turned out, would appreciate feedback, exif data still attached:



a few more from the night here,
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...Chaser%20Show/

[poker]

I think you did a nice job here. I'm a bit surprised your EXIF data produced such a shot but what is there to question. It looks good. How much was done in post?

Anyhow, my only concern is the negative space behind him. Maybe just crop it out? My other concern is the appearance of his right arm, but I don't think there is anyting you can do there. It doesn't look natural.

Did you go fully auto for the flash?

What kind of lens did you use?

This is a pure action shot!

[MarcusK]

In matter of critique i got nothing to add that manasca did not already cover...

I did a shoot of a band myself, but the advantage i had was my friend was the one controlling the lights (the place had moving heads) so whenver i wanted him to freeze for a few seconds he would (it was also a small bar)... i did not need more than ISO 800 and although it did get grainy at times, the colours more than made up for it!

They were shot on film, so if i find them i'll post them... but i think i left them back home... anyway...

nice shot

Marc

[ZJChaser]

Thanks for the compliments and critique.

I was firing the the flash manual as well anywhere from 1/32 to 1/4 power, most on the lower end to not blow out the background as I was close to the subject when shooting this at 10mm, This first shot was full frame. I also had an omni diffuser on it.

I was using my Sigma 10-20 on my rebel digital. I'm actually seriously impressed how sharp my shots were coming out, it was focusing MUCH better than I was expecting it to in that lighting.

ok I added a cropped version also brightened just a little bit as well.
Also an original non PP copy of the cropped version so you can compare my PP.

The post processing is a technique I'm trying out for the first time. two layers, one is just a layers adjustment and the second is a desaturated and color adjusted layer copy set ontop with hardlight blending and opacity dropped to ~50% on this one. I like its effect on skin tone in flash photos and it is very fast and easy. Let me know what you think about it.

edit: this shot was actually from later in the show where I think I had the flash on auto but was still stopping it down 1 full stop.

[MarcusK]

The crop is better but in matter of color i would stick to the first one, it is more appropriate for this type of shooting!

Marc

[ZJChaser]

? color is not changed. The two that I attached are both cropped. One is the same as the first with just a little brigthening. The second is the original with only the crop. Are you saying you prefer the darker PP version of the first post but with the crop?

I only attached that second one so you can see the original and compare it with the PP version.

[MarcusK]

Yes...i know...what i was simply referring to was the color tone (or mood if you will)...after brightening a bit.... the skin lost tonality...

So yeah i prefer the darker one!

[GB1]

I like the cropped version. I think it's better w/o all that negative space behind the drummer, which makes it feel like he's going to tip over backwards. The only other tidbit I could offer is to try to make him a little brighter, as the drums and their reflections seem to dominate the picture. Good shot overall!

GB

[Coastal Flyer]

ZJ:

Fun shots. Looks like you had a great time, playing with your camera, experimenting with different settings, lighting, etc. I like the second shot, starting at the top. The action seems to be more pronounced, I like the colors in this image, the crop is better. Thanks for sharing.

CF

[afdlips]

nice shot here. i prefer the first cropped one because it evens the balance out a lot better.

[ZJChaser]

ok well rather than starting a new thread I'll just add them to here. I've been home sick all day so I went through the rest of the pictures from that night, these are a few of the ones I liked. thoughts?