That's Old Time

Banjo Player with Pokey LaFarge, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 180mm f2.8 AF Lens

iso 1100, f2.8, 1/250 sec.

 

This guy has a very classic look. Easy to photograph.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

My Favorite Concert Shot From Last Weekend

I got out to see one of my favorite bands ever, The Woodshedders, last weekend. Here's my favorite shot from the show.

Dwayne Brooke of the Woodshedders, by Reed A. George

Nikon Df, Nikkor 180mm f2.8 Lens

iso 250, f2.8, 1/250 sec.

 

I took this from backstage. I spot metered Dwayne's face, letting everything else go very dark. Dwayne's a very thoughtful, creative guy, and I think this picture represents him well.

 

I will likely share more from this show, and my pics are going to be featured on the concert blog Cosmic Vibes Live in the coming days.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

Marshall Tucker Band at a New Venue in Leesburg, VA - the Tally Ho Theater

Okay, the venue's not really new, as it originally opened in 1932. But, it was fully renovated this year, and transformed from a musty old movie theater into a first-rate live music stage.

 

(Click Here) to go to the Tally Ho's website, and see upcoming shows.

 

I attended my first concert there last weekend, and was lucky enough to meet the new owner. He invited me to come the following night and shoot the Marshall Tucker Band's concert there.

 

Marshall Tucker Band's Tour Bus at the Tally Ho, by Reed A. George

HDR (seven shots), Nikon D700, Nikkor 24mm f2.8 AF Lens

 

I haven't seen the Marshall Tucker Band since I was a kid. I saw them with Charlie Daniels and the Allman Brothers, back in the day.

 

Marshall Tucker Band, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AF-D Lens

iso 3200, f2.4, 1/90 sec

 

 

Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band, by Reed A. George

Nikon D300, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 Lens

iso 3200, f1.8, 1/125 sec

 

Doug Gray was an original member of the band, which has been in existence for 41 years!

 

I got to meet Marcus James Henderson (keyboards, flute, sax, and vocals) and Chris Hicks (guitar and vocals) in the green room at the Tally Ho. Nice guys, they were pumped up, and made sure this Sunday night show was as lively as a normal weekend.

 

 

Marcus James Henderson, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AF-D Lens

iso 3200, f2.4, 1/125 sec

Chris Hicks, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AF-D Lens

iso 3200, f2.4, 1/125 sec

Chris Hicks Onstage, by Reed A. George

Nikon D300, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D Lens

iso 2200, f1.8, 1/125 sec

The Marshall Tucker Band did a great job of packing the Tally Ho on a Sunday night.

 

The New Tally Ho, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 35mm f2 AF-D Lens

iso 200, f5.6, 4 sec

 

Photographically, I leaned on my trusty Nikon DSLRs and a selection of 24mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4, and 85mm f1.8 lenses. I found myself shooting the highest focal length 85mm on the APS-C sensored D300 a lot, because I simply needed more reach. Next time, I will certainly bring along a 180mm f2.8, another favorite concert lens. I would rather use the even lower noise D700 sensor when shooting in these tough lighting conditions.

 

I'm really pleased to have the Tally Ho back open, renovated, and hosting great live music. More to come from future shows there, you can be sure!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Live Music Coverage - Donna The Buffalo and Floodwood at the State Theater

On May 11, 2013, I got the opportunity to shoot photos of the band Donna The Buffalo for a local live music blog, Cosmic Vibes Live.

 

Donna The Buffalo, by Reed A. George

Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-D 50mm f1.4 Lens

iso 3200, f2.4, 1/90 sec

 

The show was at the State Theater in Falls Church, Virginia. This was the first coverage I've done for Cosmic Vibes Live where I didn't have to do the writing. While I enjoy writing, I found it really nice to be able to focus on the photography. The writing was done by Jim McWalters. Jim and I met at the State before the show so that Jim could interview bandmembers Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear on their tour bus.

 

Interview With Tara Nevins, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF-D 50mm f1.4 Lens

iso 2200, f2.4, 1/45 sec

 

(Click Here) to read Jim's show review on Cosmic Vibes Live. The interview will be covered in an upcoming piece.

 

The show opened with a brand new band, Floodwood. Including two members of the band Moe. (Al Schnier and Vinnie Amico), Floodwood has a distinctly different sound from Moe. This band has a lot of energy on stage, and the new sound is great.

 

Floodwood, by Reed A. George

Nikon D300, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D Lens

iso 3200, f2, 1/180 sec.

Floodwood, by Reed A. George

Nikon D300, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D Lens

iso 3200, f2, 1/125 sec.

Floodwood, by Reed A. George

Nikon D300, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-D Lens

iso 3200, f2, 1/125 sec.

 

Here are a few more shots of Donna The Buffalo:

 

 

Donna The Buffalo, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF 180mm f2.8 Lens

iso 6400, f2.8, 1/125 sec

 

Tara Nevins, by Reed A. George

Nikon D300, Nikkor AF 180mm f2.8 Lens

iso 3200, f2.8, 1/125 sec

Tara Nevins, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor AF 180mm f2.8 Lens

iso 6400, f2.8, 1/125 sec

 

Donna The Buffalo has been around almost 25 years, starting up in 1989. They have a very rich, positive sound. In fact, they have a new album out, "Tonight, Tomorrow, and Yesterday." It's their tenth studio album, the first in five years. I got a copy before the release on the night of the show - it's really worth listening to! Give it a try.

A little on my photographic approach - I used Nikon DSLRs for this show. It was my first time at the State, and I was happy to have the high iso capability of the Nikons with me. The lighting there was a little low for such a large venue, and a little muddy. As you can see, I did need up to iso 6400 to make the shots. I've just started using a Nikon D300 as a second body; the D700 is my primary. While the D300 does a nice job, the high iso performance is noticeably more noisy than the full-frame D700. No surprise there. Also, while most concert photographers use the 70-200 f2.8 zoom, I have recently gotten a used 180mm f2.8 Nikkor AF lens. I LOVE IT! The 180 is half the weight of the 70-200, and yields excellent images in my opinion. I won't be going back to a zoom for the long end of my concert shooting anytime soon.

 

Overall, it was a great experience shooting this show. Thanks to Jeff and Jim at Cosmic Vibes Live for the opportunity!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com