A tough gig to shoot.

mileseye · 07-02-2007, 22:12

I thought I would submit a photo that I know is far from perfect but was taken in very difficult conditions. To critique this photo properly, you really need to know some background information.

The performer is on stage in a dark nightclub lit with coloured spotlights which rotate around. Due to low light I have used 1600 ISO to try and get the shutter speed up to prevent camera shake from the 120mm focal length (this shot is not cropped), however I need a relatively slow shutter speed to trail the sparks!

I don't get any warning before she comes on stage and performs for the length of one song, about 5 mins so I don't have time to try lots of different exposures. To top it off, I'm on the dance floor in a crowd of drunken heavy metal fans bouncing around and cheering, I have a great time though

Charlotte · 08-02-2007, 02:23

Well, I have to say that I can't fault this at all!! You done good mileseye, especially under those difficult but thoroughly fun circumstances

Really great shot

nichpr · 08-02-2007, 03:38

You must be very comfortable (and skilled) with your camera to have made this shot in the circumstances you described. I particularly like the reflection of the sparks in her goggles - that makes the shot for me.

skipper954 · 08-02-2007, 03:50

This is a wild shot. I think that it would really be cool if you increased the exposure even if that did add more noise, atmosphere, ya know. Might make an interesting effect.

OK, I had to try it. I just brought out the shadows. Did it lose the effect?

skip

**Angela** · 08-02-2007, 07:43

I think that's an incredible shot given the circumstances!

Not sure about Skip's version though, I think it does lose the effect.

**Markulous** · 08-02-2007, 08:04

This is great! Have done an edit but I've got to say that I probably prefer the original!

Dodged some of the dark areas to give better definition: face, anglegrinder. Lightened the reds a touch. Sharpened

Charlotte · 08-02-2007, 10:31

Don't fix wot ain't broke, I say

Skip's - all I can see is grain, I'm afraid, i.e. the grain is very distracting.

Mark's - lost the gorgeous red in her headscarf + goggles.

Still MUCH prefer the original. It's got just enough detail to see exactly what's happening, while leaving some detail in shadow for the imagination to work. The completely black BG emphasizes the fab reds + the sparks. Wouldn't change a thing.

Rob Barron · 08-02-2007, 11:11

I actually far prefer the pimped version of Skip's, the first is too dark to really have impact for me. When I look at the first it doesn't really strike me but when i look at the newer version it has a lot more 'wow' factor.

Having said all that it isn't my kind of shot anyway so perhaps I am not best positioned to give much of a critique but as an 'outsider' to that genre, it doesn't do a whole lot for me in its dark state.

Compositionally it's very good indeed, you've caught the angle perfectly to give it dynamism.

Cheers,
Rob

silver · 08-02-2007, 11:23

I think the original works nice, the low key shot captures the atmosphere for me

just to play

Sil

namllihs · 08-02-2007, 12:30

I'd go with the original shot, well captured under fairly unfriendly conditions.

inventory · 08-02-2007, 13:00

The composition and choice of shutter speed are spot on!

A little more exposure would've helped to bring out the artist from the dark background, but that would've meant using an even longer shutter speed, as I'm guessing you were shooting wide-open?

All things considered, it's a grand shot. I did a quick edit, but I wouldn't normally have the time myself to do this kind of thing to my own images.

Colour corrected slightly with levels (+green in midtones to cancel red and blue reduced in shadows). Brightness raised in Curves, but with the shadows pinned where they are. Median filter used on background and sparks in an attept to reduce distracting levels of noise and add a little more blur to the sparks.

It might not be everyones cup of tea, but it's more what I'd be aiming for from it.

Hope this helps.

mileseye · 08-02-2007, 19:57

Thanks for all the replies, its been good to hear all of your different opinions. My thoughts on this photo are this:

It could have been the shot of the night, but ultimately, this is the shot that got away. I love the framing and timing, bang on, but it needed a longer exposure. I have tried lots of things to increase the exposure, with similar results to the ones other people have done, but I find that the noise is just too much for my liking.

I have just been looking through the other shots from the night and this was one of the first I took. For the later ones I halved the shutter speed to 25th sec and I think it would have looked much more like inventory version if I had done the same.

Here is a shot taken moments later at 25th sec f4.5

Miles

inventory · 08-02-2007, 23:00

If you find yourself photographing at a lot of gigs, it'd be well worth investing in a 50mm f/1.8 lens(in fact, everyone should have one anyway

).

The amount of light you captured with the longer 1/25sec exposure would be possible at a shutter speed of roughly 1/125sec at f/2. They can be bought for about £80, which isn't an overdraft-busting amount.

Not being able to zoom shouldn't be a problem once you've had plenty of practice making the lens work for you.

I hope this helps

knobby · 09-02-2007, 15:43

Top capture, i really like it ...
seems to be becoming a competition to edit it the best !
all i can say is the best one seems to be the original !!!
Take that as high praise Mileseye.
heres my go

Gaz

mileseye · 09-02-2007, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by inventory

If you find yourself photographing at a lot of gigs, it'd be well worth investing in a 50mm f/1.8 lens(in fact, everyone should have one anyway

).

I couldn't agree more, a 50mm is the next lens I will get, not quite sure if it is up to filling the frame, but damn fine anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by knobby

Top capture, i really like it ...
seems to be becoming a competition to edit it the best !
all i can say is the best one seems to be the original !!!
Take that as high praise Mileseye.
heres my go

Gaz

High praise indeed, thank you. You did a very good job of bringing out the detail whist keeping the noise acceptable, but at the end of the day, i can't have the black backgroung and rich colours and the detail it seems. like I said it was a tough one!

Thanks for all your efforts, its been great,
Cheers
Miles

07-02-2007, 22:12	#1 (permalink)
mileseye New here Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 24	A tough gig to shoot. I thought I would submit a photo that I know is far from perfect but was taken in very difficult conditions. To critique this photo properly, you really need to know some background information. The performer is on stage in a dark nightclub lit with coloured spotlights which rotate around. Due to low light I have used 1600 ISO to try and get the shutter speed up to prevent camera shake from the 120mm focal length (this shot is not cropped), however I need a relatively slow shutter speed to trail the sparks! I don't get any warning before she comes on stage and performs for the length of one song, about 5 mins so I don't have time to try lots of different exposures. To top it off, I'm on the dance floor in a crowd of drunken heavy metal fans bouncing around and cheering, I have a great time though

08-02-2007, 02:23	#2 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,795	Re: A tough gig to shoot. Well, I have to say that I can't fault this at all!! You done good mileseye, especially under those difficult but thoroughly fun circumstances Really great shot

08-02-2007, 03:38	#3 (permalink)
nichpr Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 849	Re: A tough gig to shoot. You must be very comfortable (and skilled) with your camera to have made this shot in the circumstances you described. I particularly like the reflection of the sparks in her goggles - that makes the shot for me.

08-02-2007, 03:50	#4 (permalink)
skipper954 Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southeast Florida USA Posts: 1,721	Re: A tough gig to shoot. This is a wild shot. I think that it would really be cool if you increased the exposure even if that did add more noise, atmosphere, ya know. Might make an interesting effect. OK, I had to try it. I just brought out the shadows. Did it lose the effect? skip Last edited by skipper954 : 08-02-2007 at 03:55.

08-02-2007, 07:43	#5 (permalink)
Angela Pixalo Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wimbledon Posts: 5,840	Re: A tough gig to shoot. I think that's an incredible shot given the circumstances! Not sure about Skip's version though, I think it does lose the effect.

08-02-2007, 08:04	#6 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,691	Re: A tough gig to shoot. This is great! Have done an edit but I've got to say that I probably prefer the original! Dodged some of the dark areas to give better definition: face, anglegrinder. Lightened the reds a touch. Sharpened

08-02-2007, 10:31	#7 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,795	Re: A tough gig to shoot. Don't fix wot ain't broke, I say Skip's - all I can see is grain, I'm afraid, i.e. the grain is very distracting. Mark's - lost the gorgeous red in her headscarf + goggles. Still MUCH prefer the original. It's got just enough detail to see exactly what's happening, while leaving some detail in shadow for the imagination to work. The completely black BG emphasizes the fab reds + the sparks. Wouldn't change a thing.

08-02-2007, 11:11	#8 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,200	Re: A tough gig to shoot. I actually far prefer the pimped version of Skip's, the first is too dark to really have impact for me. When I look at the first it doesn't really strike me but when i look at the newer version it has a lot more 'wow' factor. Having said all that it isn't my kind of shot anyway so perhaps I am not best positioned to give much of a critique but as an 'outsider' to that genre, it doesn't do a whole lot for me in its dark state. Compositionally it's very good indeed, you've caught the angle perfectly to give it dynamism. Cheers, Rob __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!

08-02-2007, 11:23	#9 (permalink)
silver Been here a while Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 321	Re: A tough gig to shoot. I think the original works nice, the low key shot captures the atmosphere for me just to play Sil

08-02-2007, 12:30	#10 (permalink)
namllihs Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Loughborough Leicestershire Posts: 779	Re: A tough gig to shoot. I'd go with the original shot, well captured under fairly unfriendly conditions.

08-02-2007, 13:00	#11 (permalink)
inventory New here Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sheffield Posts: 49	Re: A tough gig to shoot. The composition and choice of shutter speed are spot on! A little more exposure would've helped to bring out the artist from the dark background, but that would've meant using an even longer shutter speed, as I'm guessing you were shooting wide-open? All things considered, it's a grand shot. I did a quick edit, but I wouldn't normally have the time myself to do this kind of thing to my own images. Colour corrected slightly with levels (+green in midtones to cancel red and blue reduced in shadows). Brightness raised in Curves, but with the shadows pinned where they are. Median filter used on background and sparks in an attept to reduce distracting levels of noise and add a little more blur to the sparks. It might not be everyones cup of tea, but it's more what I'd be aiming for from it. Hope this helps. __________________ Gary Wolstenholme http://www.inventory-photo.co.uk

08-02-2007, 19:57	#12 (permalink)
mileseye New here Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 24	Re: A tough gig to shoot. Thanks for all the replies, its been good to hear all of your different opinions. My thoughts on this photo are this: It could have been the shot of the night, but ultimately, this is the shot that got away. I love the framing and timing, bang on, but it needed a longer exposure. I have tried lots of things to increase the exposure, with similar results to the ones other people have done, but I find that the noise is just too much for my liking. I have just been looking through the other shots from the night and this was one of the first I took. For the later ones I halved the shutter speed to 25th sec and I think it would have looked much more like inventory version if I had done the same. Here is a shot taken moments later at 25th sec f4.5 Miles

08-02-2007, 23:00	#13 (permalink)
inventory New here Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sheffield Posts: 49	Re: A tough gig to shoot. If you find yourself photographing at a lot of gigs, it'd be well worth investing in a 50mm f/1.8 lens(in fact, everyone should have one anyway). The amount of light you captured with the longer 1/25sec exposure would be possible at a shutter speed of roughly 1/125sec at f/2. They can be bought for about £80, which isn't an overdraft-busting amount. Not being able to zoom shouldn't be a problem once you've had plenty of practice making the lens work for you. I hope this helps

09-02-2007, 15:43	#14 (permalink)
knobby New here Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 47	Re: A tough gig to shoot. Top capture, i really like it ... seems to be becoming a competition to edit it the best ! all i can say is the best one seems to be the original !!! Take that as high praise Mileseye. heres my go Gaz