[35mm 1.4] Shot a gig for the first time, a real test for camera and a learning experience for me.

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrk
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They're out of eyeshot though, pointing down on to him and mainly from way above or behind on the stage! My IR pattern would be directly below all their eyelines, that is a very distracting thing to have pointed at you having been in front of an AF pattern from a speedlite before.

Rule of thumb = Don't be an arse and distract the performers!
 
It was just a suggestion, who said anything about being an arse.

If you are talking about distractions, there a million things like screaming and arms reaching to them.

Point is, a few of them are out of focus, that's all. You say it's not noticeable, it was the first thing that jumped out at me actually.
 
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Oh I wasn't being an arse by saying don't be an arse - Nor was it aimed at anyone. I was merely stating what I've learnt having looked around and read around about shooting this kind of thing is not to be the arse who points bright lights in the performer's eyes :p

The screaming and arms reaching to them is their crowd anyway, they fully expect this but not a bright light in their eyes from a few feet away.
 
Looking at the larger version, I must say I would end up pressing reject on that one. There are plenty of nice ones so the set is weaken by its inclusion.
 
Oh don't get me wrong I can see what you're saying, for me though it isn't about the sharpness on any specific area but the surrounding ambience and expression on faces.

To give an example, I shot over 800 images that night but only kept just over 70, the ones which gave the feeling of being there or the atmosphere of the venue/music.

Edit*
I should also add that an image doesn't have to be sharp to work, best way I can relate that to something is the cyclist shot by Bresson which was put up as a test online anonymously and people commented on how out of focus it was and therefore not worth being posted. I'm not saying my shot is anywhere close to that kind of level by Bresson but to me it worked and certainly would not be an instant file for the rejected folder.

Edit2*
Your post also made me wonder about something. It's brilliant that I've been able to see your feedback and understand where you're coming from but also stick to my guns and explain why it is there and not deleted. I think this kind of discussion improves the quality of the forum. I want to see people state their case either side because we learn from them both - Does this make sense? It makes sense in my head but I imagine it sounds odd on text lol.
 
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For me it is what is captured in a shot that is the most important factor, if it's just out of focus I can live with that.
 
sid-180 said:
What settings did you use as i am planning on taking my new 50mm 1.8g to do my first band shoot with similar stage lighting?
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Hi,

Mentioned earlier but: I went as low as 1/60th and as high as 1/200 ranging from ISO 1000 to 2500. They are all at f/1.4. :)

Oh , also in full manual, auto white balance, evaluative metering with spot AF and zone (cross point) selections. Servo AF was used quite a lot.
 
Haven't seen or read what the 6D is capable of with a fast focusing prime like the 35, be interested in hearing your thoughts!

I'm off to Calumet with a friend at the end of the month so will try and get a good run with various cameras/lenses and things to see what's what :D
 
mrk said:
Haven't seen or read what the 6D is capable of with a fast focusing prime like the 35, be interested in hearing your thoughts!

I'm off to Calumet with a friend at the end of the month so will try and get a good run with various cameras/lenses and things to see what's what :D
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I doubt the 6d will have as much of a problem than my 550d and 30mm ;) I will let you know how it goes :)
 
I've just been to another gig, more for snaps than actually photographing it seriously, but I've discovered a new nightmare for taking photos; the smoke machine! When it's fired up on stage it's ace if you have a good angle, but within minutes there's a lot of mess in the air stopping you getting focus. Even shooting manual I was finding it near impossible to see if it was in focus. Dark room, green lights pointing straight at me, smoke in the air and people bouncing around = SOLID to get a good shot!

Chances are I'll need to clean the sensor with all that muck in the air :D
 
Smoke machine can play havoc to your AF system yeah! Luckily the smoke machine at the gig in my op wasn't set to maximum but it was still all round although by the sounds of it, not as much as yours!
 
I notice you've seen my smoke machine photo. That thing was set to flood room setting I think :D

Ironically that was my least favourite of the lot, but I had to upload it as it was only one of two with the fiddler in it. He came back from Italy to do a 2 night gig tour. That's dedication! :D
 
ElDude said:
I notice you've seen my smoke machine photo. That thing was set to flood room setting I think :D

Ironically that was my least favourite of the lot, but I had to upload it as it was only one of two with the fiddler in it. He came back from Italy to do a 2 night gig tour. That's dedication! :D
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I actually quite liked it although do admit I have yet to browse them all yet! But I did see what you meant about the smoke lol. Think the processing is what worked for me anyway.
 
It's something I'm constantly playing with. I much prefer black and white at the moment, but my main frustration is getting a clean shot in the last 3 gigs so I can actually apply it the way I want.

It's fun though :D

That reminds me, I got my mitts on some B&W presets for lightroom last night. I shall have a play later :D
 
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