Working on Shooting Bands (50mm, lens, camera, shots)

[hankejp]

So I've been working on shooting bands in action. This is my 2nd bad that I shot. What do you think?

[Old Man Winter]

I like this, tough lighting to work with i would imagine.

[hankejp]

Thank you. Yeah the lighting was a pain. You don't want to use a flash, otherwise I would lose the cool lighting that you see. I tried to keep the ISO as low as I could too, to reduce noise.

[RUNYYfan]

Very interesting shots under obviously difficult lighting. Just a few suggestions.

Shot 1: I think the intent was to get all members of the band. Maybe it's just me, but a tighter shot would bring the focus to the band and minimize the "extra" space in front and the ceiling. You may be able to do this with some cropping in post-production, but perhaps a larger prime (85mm?) would let you get closer from your position.

Shot 2: My eyes are drawn to the light stand before I look for the band members. This is due to the overall darkness of the subject as opposed to the brightness of the stand, but, at least to me, because the shot itself seems to lack a strong composition. Perhaps a portrait isolating the bassist may be a better shot.

Shot 3: Strong composition with clear direction to the lead guitarist. Ticky-tack on my part, but a crop just to the left of the weight-end of the mic, I think, would help.

Shot 4: A solid shot, but the small cymbal is obscuring the drummer's face. Perhaps a composition through the two hi-hats on the right would give a clearer shot of the drummer.

Shot 5: The shot could be cropped more tightly. Suggestion: Bring the top crop line down to just above the head of the keyboardist. I think that would give you a strong shot.

Shot 6: I think this could be more tightly cropped also. Suggestion: Bring the top crop line down to the level of the highlight on the mic stand, bring the left line just to the left of the mic stand, and the right line in to just before the keyboardist's left shoulder.


It would also help to know the kit you were using (camera, lens, pods, etc.). Also, the EXIF data that can be stored would also be helpful.ff

In all, I think these shots show promise!

[hankejp]

Thank you for the Critique RunYYfan. I will have to mess around with the cropping suggestions. All shot were using my 35mm f/1.8.

1.) 1/160 ISO 200
2.) 1/50 iso 200
3.) 1/100 ISO 200
4.) 1/250 iso 800
5.) 1/250 ISO 800
6.) 1/125 ISO 800

Thank you again. I'll play with the cropping and repost the shot if you want to look at them.

[RUNYYfan]

hankejp,

Sure thing! Do post the re-crops as I think it would be interesting to do a sort of side-by-side evaluation.

The 35mm lens is probably better suited for close-up work. If you have a 50mm f/1.8 that will get you in a bit closer, but if you aren't able to get on stage, it will be a bit of a challenge. But given your eye for the band, I think it would be doable.