My Picture Chosen to Announce Larry Keel and Sam Bush at Lock'n Festival!

Larry Keel and Sam Bush, Keel Photo by Reed A. George

 

I guess my new black and white concert style must be working at some level. I was contacted by Larry Keel's agent, inquiring about the picture on the left above. They wanted to see color versions, but eventually chose to use the monochrome one.

 

I'm really happy that Larry liked the image enough that it's of some use to him! I'm more than happy to contribute a little to someone who gives so much to us fans.

 

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Dreaming in Monochrom(e) - Ilford Delta 3200 Film at a Concert

A few weeks ago, I posted digital pictures from a Keel Power Trio concert at Gypsy Sally's in Washington, DC. They were all shot on the Nikon D700, and processed in Lightroom to emulate Ilford Delta 3200.

 

(Click Here) to see that post.

 

I also shot my "Dreaming in Monochrom(e)" camera, the Leica M4-2, loaded with the real deal, actual Ilford Delta 3200 film. Here are the results:

 

 

 

 

Larry Keel Power Trio, by Reed A. George

Leica M4-2, Carl Zeiss C-Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

 

Man, I really love shooting the M4-2, and Delta 3200 opens up a lot of opportunities for low light shooting. I typically shoot it as if it were rated at 1600, and have it processed normally at The Darkroom (thedarkroom.com).

 

This "Dreaming in Monochrom(e)" project has taught me so much. First, it reopened my ability to shoot film at live music events. It also refocused me on a style of monochrome images that I think fit my chosen type of music very well. In fact, it even transformed how I process my digital images from these events.

 

But the experience is giving me the distinct feeling that restricting any given camera to black and white only may not be for me. While I love shooting the M4-2 with TMax 400 or Delta 3200, I sometimes leave it at home because I've temporarily dedicated it to this project and am not using it for color. I would not be happy with a several thousand dollar digital Leica Monochrom that I couldn't carry without reservation any time I want.

 

I feel very fortunate to be around such great musicians. What could be better than bringing together two passions - live music and photography?

My Friend, Polly, by Reed A. George

Leica M4-2, Carl Zeiss C-Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

 

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

By and By Bluegrass at Gypsy Sally's - Including Some "Dreaming in Monochrom(e)" Shots

I've already posted some shots of the Larry Keel Power Trio (aka Larry Keel Experience) that I shot at Gypsy Sally's in Washington DC a while back.

 

(Click Here) to see my earlier post and link to my images on the live music blog Cosmic Vibes Live. Since that post, which was all digital shots, I've received my film back from The Darkroom. I have more Keel pictures to post, when I get to it.

 

In the meantime, here are some images of one of the opening bands, By and By. The bass player, Matt Iadanza, is a friend and co-worker in my regular job. The first set is digital, all shot with the still-amazing Nikon D700. I processed these in Lightroom using my settings to emulate Ilford Delta 3200 film.

 

(Click Here) to find my Lightroom settings that lead to this look.

 

I'll follow that with a couple of film shots from the Leica M4-2 that I'm using for the Dreaming in Monochrom(e) series.

 

 

 

 

By and By, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 20mm f2.8, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D Lenses

 

And here are a couple shot with my Leica M4-2 and real honest-to-goodness Ilford Delta 3200 film.

 

By and By, by Reed A. George

Leica M4-2, Zeiss C-Sonnar 50mm f1.5 Lens

Ilford Delta 3200 Film

 

This was Matt's last show as bassist for By and By. He's now in the UK, working at the University of Leeds. Best wishes, Matt! But, the band continues on. (Click Here) to learn more about By and By Bluegrass.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

My Photos on the Music Blog, Cosmic Vibes Live - Larry Keel Experience

Larry Keel, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D Lens

iso 1600

 

I have collaborated with the live music blog Cosmic Vibes Live in the past, and continue to enjoy doing so. One of the recent shows I attended, the Larry Keel Experience at Gypsy Sally's in Washington, DC, was covered by Cosmic Vibes. While I don't mind writing up my own posts for them, this time I got to focus solely on the photography, which made it nice. Joe Cariola took care of the writing, and did a great job.

 

(Click Here) to read the post on Cosmic Vibes Live.

 

You can also (Click Here) to download a recording of the show by my friend, Bret Evans.

 

Oh, and to find out more about the Larry Keel Experience, (Click Here). Larry is an amazing guitarist, and surrounds himself with only the best musicians, including his wife Jenny Keel on the bass and Will Lee on guitar and banjo. If you get the chance to see them, take it.

 

PS - stay tuned for more Larry Keel pics. My two rolls of Delta 3200 arrived at The Darkroom today!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Live Music, Film Emulation, This Time With the Leica M9

 

Will and Larry (of the Larry Keel Power Trio), by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Zeiss Sonnar C 50mm f1.5 Lens

iso 1600, f1.5, 1/125 sec.

 

I'm really having fun with this film emulation approach to my live music photography. Last week, I had the pleasure of seeing the Larry Keel Power Trio (aka Larry Keel Experience) twice. The image above is from the first show, at the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville, Va.

 

I shot this image with my Leica M9, and used my Lightroom preset to emulate the contrast and grain of Ilford Delta 3200 film.

 

(Click Here) to read about my emulation settings in Lightroom.

 

I also saw the band a second time, in Washington, DC, over the weekend. For that show, I shot my Nikon D700, and used the same Lightroom settings to process the images. The preset works just as well with the D700 images.

 

For both shows, I also carried my Leica M4-2 (which I use for my "Dreaming in Monochrom(e)" series. I have two expose rolls of real Ilford Delta 3200 sitting next to me at my desk right now. So, I'll share those images in a week or so when I have results from the processing at The Darkroom (thedarkroom.com).

 

By the way, have a listen to the Keels. A quick search for "Larry Keel" on iTunes will get you plenty of results. I'd suggest the album "Classic" as a start.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Larry Keel - One of My New Musical Favorites!

 

Larry Keel, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 85mm f1.8

iso 3200, f2, 1/350 sec

 
Larry Keel and Natural Bridge played at the Shepherdstown, West Virginia Opera House on November 30, 2012. It was a special show. It was my first show at this venue, which is really great. A renovated movie house, it now has a nice dance floor, and is a great intimate place for a show.
 
Larry and his band are a Virginia-based alternative bluegrass band.
 
(Click Here) to go to Larry's web page.
 
Larry's lovely wife, Jenny, plays bass:
 

Jenny Keel, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 85mm f1.8

iso 3200, f2, 1/350 sec

 
 

Banjoist Will and mandolinist Mark round it out.

 

Mark and Will, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF 28mm f2.8

iso 3200, f2.8, 1/180 sec

 
This is one fine band. Lots of fun.

(Click Here) see the rest of my pics from the show.
 

A Little Refreshment, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 85mm f1.8

iso 3200, f2.4, 1/250 sec

 
DMC-365.blogspot.com