London City Big Band

TimothyPeacock · Nov 11, 2011

Here are a couple of photos of the London City Big Band, I'd love some constructive feedback

EXIF: f/2.8 1/125sec ISO800

EXIF: f/2.2 1/160sec ISO800

Both shot with Canon 550D and 50mm 1.8 lens

Many thanks for looking

TimothyPeacock · Nov 17, 2011

Little bump, I'd love it if anyone had some comments/criticism! I'm sure they aren't perfect and am always trying to improve!

PrestonS · Nov 17, 2011

I'll give it a go...

#1 - I like the emotion and feeling a bit more in this one but the lighting could use some work. The main subject is underexposed while some of the others in the shot are over exposed. Also not liking the pink. It is also hard to see the mic and almost half looks like he is playing the instrument behind him.
#2 - I like the lighting better in this one but don't really feel like you captured a mood or emotion. I also think there is a bit too much dead space on the left.

Granddad · Nov 17, 2011

These aren't bad at all for live action using ambient light. I do similar shots in live dance so I appreciate the problems involved. You've caught the expressions that give the shots character.
1) could be played around with in lightroom, the trombone is a little distracting but that's live work for you! You don't have the option of moving around much once you've chosen your spot (unless you want to be the most unpopular person in the gig and risk getting thrown out on your ear) and you take what you are given and run with it.

2) I like it as it is. The blank space on the left is a matter of personal taste; it works for me but it would be interesting to see a slightly tighter crop. :thumbup:

TimothyPeacock · Nov 22, 2011

PrestonS said:
I'll give it a go...

#1 - I like the emotion and feeling a bit more in this one but the lighting could use some work. The main subject is underexposed while some of the others in the shot are over exposed. Also not liking the pink. It is also hard to see the mic and almost half looks like he is playing the instrument behind him.
#2 - I like the lighting better in this one but don't really feel like you captured a mood or emotion. I also think there is a bit too much dead space on the left.

Thanks for the feedback. The lighting was completely out of my control as it was at a gig in a pretty crowded venue. I do appreciate that there are some problems with the exposure though. I think I tried to strike a balance and clearly got it wrong on that one!

In #2 I quite liked the musicians fading into the darkness on the left of the image, but I will do a tighter crop and have a look! These were for the band's website, I was shooting for free as I am just starting out with live concert photography, and they wanted something that captured their style but were also a little bit 'arty'. In a live situation it felt quite difficult to get 'arty' and this was about as far as I managed!

Granddad said:
These aren't bad at all for live action using ambient light. I do similar shots in live dance so I appreciate the problems involved. You've caught the expressions that give the shots character.
1) could be played around with in lightroom, the trombone is a little distracting but that's live work for you! You don't have the option of moving around much once you've chosen your spot (unless you want to be the most unpopular person in the gig and risk getting thrown out on your ear) and you take what you are given and run with it.

2) I like it as it is. The blank space on the left is a matter of personal taste; it works for me but it would be interesting to see a slightly tighter crop. :thumbup:

Thanks for the feedback, I'll try and have a play with the levels in #1 and try pull it out a little more.

PrestonS · Nov 23, 2011

Yeah, I think number one might really improve with some PP. I understand the limits with the concert setting and love the emotion as he sings. Maybe just pull the pink back a bit, clone out the black spot on his hand and maybe burn the others out a bit and dodge the singer. Might help bring the focus to him.

Judobreaker · Nov 23, 2011

Nice topic creation date/time.

TimothyPeacock · Nov 28, 2011

PrestonS said:
Yeah, I think number one might really improve with some PP. I understand the limits with the concert setting and love the emotion as he sings. Maybe just pull the pink back a bit, clone out the black spot on his hand and maybe burn the others out a bit and dodge the singer. Might help bring the focus to him.

Thanks a lot for the comments. This better?