Grand Splendid

[invisible]

A few days ago I had the chance to shoot Grand Splendid (my brother's band) in Montreal. We wanted to shoot in the old port, but when we got there it started to rain so we ended up in an indoor warehouse/parkade where the light was dim but cool. I shot handheld at a high ISO using – for this image – available light only.

Considering the conditions, in addition to my lack of experience shooting people (and their lack of experience being photographed), I can't complain about the results.

All in all, a great learning experience.

 

[Rick58]

I'm not an expert, by I'd say very cool for a cover shot.

 

[invisible]

I'm not an expert, by I'd say very cool for a cover shot.

Thanks Rick, I appreciate it! Hopefully I will also receive some feedback from those with some experience shooting bands so we can all learn.

 

[invisible]

I never bump my own threads, but I'd really appreciate some feedback on this particular one. Cheers.

 

[Derrel]

It has that self aware, pseudo-aloof, "we're too darned cool for this" feel to it...seems like that attitude is one that most bands try and project in this type of group shot. What I like is the strong, deep, under-chin shadows, which make the pale faces really stand out, and define their faces at a very primal level. The setting, their demeanor, and the cool,hip,offbeat color and image processing, and the appropriate lighting--- ALL look very "album art-ish", and seem quite in line with fully competent, modern album art.

 

[invisible]

It has that self aware, pseudo-aloof, "we're too darned cool for this" feel to it...

Thanks for putting this into words. I didn't really give the band any direction in terms of this because I didn't know how to express it. The "poses" in all of the images I took were their own, as a result of which some of them blow. It worked on this one, I think.

Thanks much for the feedback.

 

[Derrel]

Expanding on my thoughts, I've looked at this a bit more. When I said the deep under-chin shadows reveal their faces in a very primal way, what I meant is this. First, a solid under-chin shadowing from this type of lighting shows the face very clearly, the face presented above a dark, "anchoring" shadow. But also, and this is critical, EACH man's facial shape and gestalt are revealed. The man camera left: big nose, pointy chin. The 2nd man-shown is broad-shouldered, looks much bigger, and has a fuller, much more round facial shape, and downturned lip expression. Man #3, a "skinny dude", with a narrow face and sandy hair, his eyes averted from the lens,and yet almost making eye/lens contact. The man on the right, the ONLY one looking forward right at the lens, and the only guy with longish hair. He's the George Harrison of this quartet! Or is he the Ringo Star???

Anyway, the deep, under-chin shadow anchors the faces, and gives us a very "primal-level" look at the face shape and build of each person. It makes each man appear individual. The differing eye direction furthers this--they are ALL individuals--they do not metaphorically "look at the world the same exact way". Each one is his own man. Their HEADS, and FACES are all very, very different, but their dark clothing is rather uniform in color and plain in design, suggesting a connectedness.

These are the kinds of things that make this a very successful shot of a band. These are the kinds of things an experienced shooter can intuit. "Ya done good, Invisible!"

 

[TwoTwoLeft]

Second guy from the left, it looks like "Madness" is going through his head. At least that's what first came to mind when I saw MA---SS.

I know it really says MAXGROSS but it's still kinda cool. Overall, I like the shot.

 

[invisible]

The man on the right, the ONLY one looking forward right at the lens, and the only guy with longish hair. He's the George Harrison of this quartet! Or is he the Ringo Star???

He is indeed the Ringo Starr of the band, both in terms of personality and of the instrument he plays

Anyway, the deep, under-chin shadow anchors the faces, and gives us a very "primal-level" look at the face shape and build of each person. It makes each man appear individual. The differing eye direction furthers this--they are ALL individuals--they do not metaphorically "look at the world the same exact way". Each one is his own man. Their HEADS, and FACES are all very, very different, but their dark clothing is rather uniform in color and plain in design, suggesting a connectedness.

Last year we did a photoshoot with a different incarnation of the band. Each of the guys showed up dressed as if they were all going to a different party, so the session was doomed even before the first click. This time it was better – they discussed their clothing a few days prior. Still, I had to work extra in post to make them look "aligned" and "connected".

I've always been interested in all the symbolism that is involved in building the "personality" of a band. More importantly, I've always admired how the top bands keep that symbolism and personality consistent across photoshoots, even if using different photographers. For me, at the stage I am right now, the challenge is trying to keep the symbolism and personality of the band consistent within one frame

These are the kinds of things that make this a very successful shot of a band. These are the kinds of things an experienced shooter can intuit. "Ya done good, Invisible!"

I don't consider myself an experienced shooter, but I agree that intuition was the driver here.

Thank you very much for the feedback, guys.