On Thursday night I was asked to take photos of my mates new band (Funkweasel). I've always wanted to try this, so happily said I'd come along. The first thing I quickly realised is that it is extremely difficult in a tiny venue like this. Great place, very friendly. It was at the Barley mow pub, in Oswestry.
Couldn't use a flash, so decided to take the Sigma 12-24, Canon 100mmL and the Sigma 50mm1.4 (this lens saved the night). Having never done this before, I figured that these would be the range needed in a pub, but had no idea what size the pub was, so it was a total guess.
On arriving there, the room was packed to the point where I couldn't take any photos for the first half, but luckily the kids that were there all had to leave, so I got the only spot up front. It was annoying as the bassist/saxophonist was behind the speaker to my right, so I got hardly any shots of him, and a lot didn't come out as I'd expected.
My 60D did okay, but I really want something that is better in low light, so I'm definitely making a switch to the 5Dmkiii as soon as it's affordable for me. The other thing though, is that this showed that I need to purchase some very expensive glass to take photos exactly how I like. The 12-24mki is obviously not for that sort of event, and was very difficult to get a shot I like. I deleted most on the spot immediately after taking them, and only kept 2 so I could give an idea of the space. The recently purchased 100mm 2.8L was pretty much useless as only one band member was far enough away for it to be of any use (as I mentioned, it was a tiny venue; I was about 5ft from the band). Thankfully my Sigma 50mm1.4 was the saviour of the night. I always rave about it, but for that light level it was perfect. I was forced to take 90% of the photos at 6400 as it was very dark and had flashing lights, which in the small venue completely and constantly changed the rooms light levels, and as a result some came out looking rough as a bears bum. The bar lights and lights over a dart board were also being turned on and off at request of the band, as it was too dark in one corner.
The main things I learned that night is that taking photos in a small venue with constantly changing light, in a tiny space makes manually shot photos virtually impossible due to the amount of movement, unless you're happy to take a load of photos and have a lot of time, and wait for the singer to move back to where you've set to (the sod!
).
Anyway, boring waffle aside, here's a small selection (from 53 on flickr):
Hail the overlord by Niall Allen, on Flickr
The above shot, Tom moved at the last second, but I liked the pose, so kept it. I was focused on his eyes, which is where is elbow is
Rich by Niall Allen, on Flickr
IMG_1088 by Niall Allen, on Flickr
IMG_1152 by Niall Allen, on Flickr
Rest are HERE
Oh, and drinking lots of beer, staying out until 1am, then going to work the next morning is not a good idea. I was so hungover yesterday
Couldn't use a flash, so decided to take the Sigma 12-24, Canon 100mmL and the Sigma 50mm1.4 (this lens saved the night). Having never done this before, I figured that these would be the range needed in a pub, but had no idea what size the pub was, so it was a total guess.
On arriving there, the room was packed to the point where I couldn't take any photos for the first half, but luckily the kids that were there all had to leave, so I got the only spot up front. It was annoying as the bassist/saxophonist was behind the speaker to my right, so I got hardly any shots of him, and a lot didn't come out as I'd expected.
My 60D did okay, but I really want something that is better in low light, so I'm definitely making a switch to the 5Dmkiii as soon as it's affordable for me. The other thing though, is that this showed that I need to purchase some very expensive glass to take photos exactly how I like. The 12-24mki is obviously not for that sort of event, and was very difficult to get a shot I like. I deleted most on the spot immediately after taking them, and only kept 2 so I could give an idea of the space. The recently purchased 100mm 2.8L was pretty much useless as only one band member was far enough away for it to be of any use (as I mentioned, it was a tiny venue; I was about 5ft from the band). Thankfully my Sigma 50mm1.4 was the saviour of the night. I always rave about it, but for that light level it was perfect. I was forced to take 90% of the photos at 6400 as it was very dark and had flashing lights, which in the small venue completely and constantly changed the rooms light levels, and as a result some came out looking rough as a bears bum. The bar lights and lights over a dart board were also being turned on and off at request of the band, as it was too dark in one corner.
The main things I learned that night is that taking photos in a small venue with constantly changing light, in a tiny space makes manually shot photos virtually impossible due to the amount of movement, unless you're happy to take a load of photos and have a lot of time, and wait for the singer to move back to where you've set to (the sod!
). Anyway, boring waffle aside, here's a small selection (from 53 on flickr):
Hail the overlord by Niall Allen, on Flickr
The above shot, Tom moved at the last second, but I liked the pose, so kept it. I was focused on his eyes, which is where is elbow is
Rich by Niall Allen, on Flickr
IMG_1088 by Niall Allen, on Flickr
IMG_1152 by Niall Allen, on Flickr
Rest are HERE
Oh, and drinking lots of beer, staying out until 1am, then going to work the next morning is not a good idea. I was so hungover yesterday
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