Shots from the X-Factor tour

Rob Barron · 13-03-2008, 20:19

Ok, this is TOTALLY new area for me but I was given the chance to have an official photographer's pass so I couldn't turn it down! And no, I don't think X Factor is cheesy and rubbish, I think it is good entertainment and has unearthed a couple of excellent singers, not least of which the stunning Leona Lewis who I think will be massive over the coming ten years.

Anyway, that aside, here are 5 shots that I took on the night, I have others of course and will probably show a few more but this is enough for starters. I am not claiming they are brilliant, it is a field I have never tried before so I have a million miles to go before I can compare to Viking!

Anyway, hope you enjoy the first lot. I have put Leon first because he was the winner and as a tribute to my friend Fi, of whom Leon is a fellow countryman!

Cheers,
Rob

Leon

Same Difference

Rhydian

Rhydian 2

Hope

fionaB · 13-03-2008, 20:25

absolutely fabulous! Leon isnt just from scotland but from just up the road... anyway...... stunning photos all the more because they are not your comfort zone and this was the one time i have ever voted for one of them! lol ( much to alans and murrays disgust they find he is a blue nose after i had letmurray vote)

Fi

stupot · 13-03-2008, 20:27

great set Rob, well worth the trip

**Markulous** · 13-03-2008, 20:34

Being thoroughly prepared to rubbish the pics (on principle - can't stand the 'wannabe' reality shows!), I find a good set of shots! Grrrrr!

Summerleft · 13-03-2008, 20:56

Jammy tart you, great shots Rob, can you squeeze me in your kit bag next time

morlandroger · 13-03-2008, 21:04

Like these Rob. Great gig shots
Roger

**Dabhand16** · 13-03-2008, 21:09

Well done Rob - let's see some more

Charlotte · 13-03-2008, 21:17

These are very good, you did well Rob

gsgary · 13-03-2008, 22:28

Great shots, but the only one who has a future out of these is Rhydian the rest to me are very average

Les Meehan · 13-03-2008, 23:21

Nice images Rob, good on ya! The mark of a good photographer is when you are placed in unfamiliar territory and still produce the goods! Job done!

Rhydian is one heck of a performer and knocks spots off the rest. However, I think Same Difference brought such great happiness and joy to the show they deserve great success. Just hope the negative people that slag off such positive folk don't stop them.

Cheers

Davetherave · 13-03-2008, 23:22

Nice shots Steve

id love an opporutunity like that

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Barron

so I have a million miles to go before I can compare to Viking!

I think your a bit closer than that those first 3 are very good indeed

did you get time to enjoy it or did the nerves or pro mode kick in

Dave

fionaB · 13-03-2008, 23:37

Rhydian AKA Joe Ninety! lol

Rob Barron · 14-03-2008, 00:09

Thanks for all the positive comments guys, I really appreciate it. I do have a few more that I'll show you at another time but I have to say I had a terrific evening at the concert and it was far, far better and more professional than I had expected. Although I can understand Gary's comment that Rhydian is the only one with a future, presumably (apologies Gary if I am wrong here) talking from the viewpoint of having seen them only on the TV show itself, I have to say the performances on the night were vastly superior to most of the stuff on TV, they didn't have millions watching and the prospect of a tongue lashing from the judges at the end of their performances here!

Nicki was absolutely stunning, she is a bit older and for that reason was unlikely to be voted the winner but I have to say she sang as professionally as any singer I have ever seen (lots!) and her performance of Total Eclipse of the Heart followed by My Heart Will Go On deservedly had every person in the arena on their feet for a standing ovation. I'm a bit Celine Dion fan but even she has never sung the latter song as well as this!

Same Difference were superb, extremely entertaining and I agree with Les that I hope they don't have miseries constantly carping on about their child-like enthusiasm because they deserve their chance to perform and entertain. I could have watched them for a full evening without any question at all. Their singing was excellent but they also did high powered routines that left me feeling exhausted and I was only watching! They have a single coming out in the beginning of May, a song from High School Musical, and I will be very surprised if it doesn't hit the top of the charts.

I am not a big fan of Leon BUT he will have a ready audience for his performances and he has a greater breadth to his repertoire than people realise. He can rock with the rest of them and then drop down into a swing number and then croon for the oldies without missing a beat. Not my cup of tea but definitely got enough about him to make a living in the industry.

I don't think either the girl group (Hope) or the boy group will find much longevity as there is not enough about them that is different to several others. Good enough for a concert like this with a relatively small part to play but I don't see them wowing audiences with a 2-hour set.

Alyssia was good but not fantastic so not convinced she'll be seen much, Andy surprised me as we always refered to him as 'Andy Charisma Bypass' in our house. He gave a terrific rocking performance that was high energy and still maitained quality vocals so if he gets in with good management you never know. Not a big future I suspect but will probably drop down a level to something like the cruise ships or something where he'll be a huge hit.

Rhydian? Well, there's no question at all, he is something different. He has a stunningly good voice even if he does look a bit quirky at times. He'll definitely make it because he has a voice that people will pay good money for CDs etc. He can also perform with the best of them.

There you go, my brief run down on them but I must say again, their performances during this concert were far better than almost anything on the TV show so they need to be judged on what they are capable of with the right agents and promotions. I agree that only Rhydian comes close to having a future like Leona Lewis (she is truly stunning) but I would not dismiss them as being merely average on the basis of this concert.

Thanks again for all the positive feedback, you've boosted my confidence enough to bore you with a few more in a couple of days

Cheers,
Rob

morlandroger · 14-03-2008, 07:31

OK Rob now the post event report. Great pics but which gear did you find the most useful? Lens, settings etc.
Cheers
Roger

13-03-2008, 20:19	#1 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,200	Shots from the X-Factor tour Ok, this is TOTALLY new area for me but I was given the chance to have an official photographer's pass so I couldn't turn it down! And no, I don't think X Factor is cheesy and rubbish, I think it is good entertainment and has unearthed a couple of excellent singers, not least of which the stunning Leona Lewis who I think will be massive over the coming ten years. Anyway, that aside, here are 5 shots that I took on the night, I have others of course and will probably show a few more but this is enough for starters. I am not claiming they are brilliant, it is a field I have never tried before so I have a million miles to go before I can compare to Viking! Anyway, hope you enjoy the first lot. I have put Leon first because he was the winner and as a tribute to my friend Fi, of whom Leon is a fellow countryman! Cheers, Rob Leon Same Difference Rhydian Rhydian 2 Hope __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!

13-03-2008, 20:25	#2 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,451	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour absolutely fabulous! Leon isnt just from scotland but from just up the road... anyway...... stunning photos all the more because they are not your comfort zone and this was the one time i have ever voted for one of them! lol ( much to alans and murrays disgust they find he is a blue nose after i had letmurray vote) Fi

13-03-2008, 20:27	#3 (permalink)
stupot Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset Posts: 1,318	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour great set Rob, well worth the trip

13-03-2008, 20:34	#4 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,691	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour Being thoroughly prepared to rubbish the pics (on principle - can't stand the 'wannabe' reality shows!), I find a good set of shots! Grrrrr!

13-03-2008, 20:56	#5 (permalink)
Summerleft Feet under the table Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Derbyshire, UK Posts: 1,577	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour Jammy tart you, great shots Rob, can you squeeze me in your kit bag next time

13-03-2008, 21:04	#6 (permalink)
morlandroger Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lake District, North West England Posts: 518	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour Like these Rob. Great gig shots Roger

13-03-2008, 21:09	#7 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,979	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour Well done Rob - let's see some more

13-03-2008, 21:17	#8 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,795	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour These are very good, you did well Rob

13-03-2008, 22:28	#9 (permalink)
gsgary Forum Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chesterfield UK Posts: 768	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour Great shots, but the only one who has a future out of these is Rhydian the rest to me are very average

13-03-2008, 23:21	#10 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 778	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour Nice images Rob, good on ya! The mark of a good photographer is when you are placed in unfamiliar territory and still produce the goods! Job done! Rhydian is one heck of a performer and knocks spots off the rest. However, I think Same Difference brought such great happiness and joy to the show they deserve great success. Just hope the negative people that slag off such positive folk don't stop them. Cheers

13-03-2008, 23:37	#12 (permalink)
fionaB Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,451	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour Rhydian AKA Joe Ninety! lol

14-03-2008, 00:09	#13 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,200	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour Thanks for all the positive comments guys, I really appreciate it. I do have a few more that I'll show you at another time but I have to say I had a terrific evening at the concert and it was far, far better and more professional than I had expected. Although I can understand Gary's comment that Rhydian is the only one with a future, presumably (apologies Gary if I am wrong here) talking from the viewpoint of having seen them only on the TV show itself, I have to say the performances on the night were vastly superior to most of the stuff on TV, they didn't have millions watching and the prospect of a tongue lashing from the judges at the end of their performances here! Nicki was absolutely stunning, she is a bit older and for that reason was unlikely to be voted the winner but I have to say she sang as professionally as any singer I have ever seen (lots!) and her performance of Total Eclipse of the Heart followed by My Heart Will Go On deservedly had every person in the arena on their feet for a standing ovation. I'm a bit Celine Dion fan but even she has never sung the latter song as well as this! Same Difference were superb, extremely entertaining and I agree with Les that I hope they don't have miseries constantly carping on about their child-like enthusiasm because they deserve their chance to perform and entertain. I could have watched them for a full evening without any question at all. Their singing was excellent but they also did high powered routines that left me feeling exhausted and I was only watching! They have a single coming out in the beginning of May, a song from High School Musical, and I will be very surprised if it doesn't hit the top of the charts. I am not a big fan of Leon BUT he will have a ready audience for his performances and he has a greater breadth to his repertoire than people realise. He can rock with the rest of them and then drop down into a swing number and then croon for the oldies without missing a beat. Not my cup of tea but definitely got enough about him to make a living in the industry. I don't think either the girl group (Hope) or the boy group will find much longevity as there is not enough about them that is different to several others. Good enough for a concert like this with a relatively small part to play but I don't see them wowing audiences with a 2-hour set. Alyssia was good but not fantastic so not convinced she'll be seen much, Andy surprised me as we always refered to him as 'Andy Charisma Bypass' in our house. He gave a terrific rocking performance that was high energy and still maitained quality vocals so if he gets in with good management you never know. Not a big future I suspect but will probably drop down a level to something like the cruise ships or something where he'll be a huge hit. Rhydian? Well, there's no question at all, he is something different. He has a stunningly good voice even if he does look a bit quirky at times. He'll definitely make it because he has a voice that people will pay good money for CDs etc. He can also perform with the best of them. There you go, my brief run down on them but I must say again, their performances during this concert were far better than almost anything on the TV show so they need to be judged on what they are capable of with the right agents and promotions. I agree that only Rhydian comes close to having a future like Leona Lewis (she is truly stunning) but I would not dismiss them as being merely average on the basis of this concert. Thanks again for all the positive feedback, you've boosted my confidence enough to bore you with a few more in a couple of days Cheers, Rob

14-03-2008, 07:31	#14 (permalink)
morlandroger Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lake District, North West England Posts: 518	Re: Shots from the X-Factor tour OK Rob now the post event report. Great pics but which gear did you find the most useful? Lens, settings etc. Cheers Roger