Todd Owyoung On Backlighting Musicians

Todd Owyoung runs a really nice blog on concert photography. While Todd shoots more heavy metal and hard rock bands, as opposed to my interest in bluegrass and jam, his examples are inspirational. I'm going to shoot a local show tonight, which will include the opportunity to meet and greet the band members at a reception, and go backstage. So, I was perusing Todd's sight for some lighting tips.
 
(Click Here) to see a very nice post on Todd's site (ishootshows.com) regarding backlighting.
 
I have been working on photographing local musicians and shows for quite a while now. I feel that I've made real progress in a few areas. First, I've gotten more comfortable interacting with the musicians. I've also improved my compositional skills, and the technical details of shooting a brightly lit stage in a dark room, or a dimly lit show under a canopy at a farmer's market. Hey, it's not all glitz and bright lights, you know. I have also improved my ability to capture those micro moments of emotion that show who the band members are.
 
However, when I quickly scan through my music images, one thing is clearly missing - dramatic light. There are a few venues (including the one I'm going to tonight, Franklin Park in Purcellville, VA) that offer great stage lighting. Most others around here don't. And beyond that, how am I using light in the off-stage work? I'm using "available light," which is "any damn light that's available" in a quote attributed to the master photographer W. Eugene Smith. I'm not using every lever I have to adjust and improve the quality of my shots.
 
I use flash reasonably often when shooting stage acts. I rarely use it when the band is off-stage. It just seems so intrusive. I need to get over that. I'm already intruding, either peeking around a corner with my lens, or asking them to stand a little closer. So, a flash or two won't hurt anything.
 
In his article, Todd states that carrying two speedlights (hotshoe-based strobes) is plenty for great opportunities to backlight and frontlight a band or musician. I had one Nikon SB800 already in my bag for tonight. Guess what else is going in? A second flash.
 
Todd also talks about how some venues backlight the performers on the stage, which we can use. Again, looking through my images, dramatic lighting is not what catches your eye. Here's one example of a nice side light on Tmony Griffin of Jake and the Burtones.
 
 

Tmony Griffin, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Voigtlander 75mm f2.5

iso 6400, f-stop unrecorded, 1/100 sec

 
I'm sure that the strong side lighting caught my eye when I took this image. But, not consciously. I need to keep directional lighting more in mind as I compose my images. And, I need to control and add to it where possible.
 
I think I'd better pick up some AA batteries this afternoon...
 
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Guilty as Charged - Leica M9 Is a Luxury Item

 

 

Leica M9

Image Source: http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/m9/

 

I read a very interesting article on THEME by Ming Thein recently. The thesis of the piece is that expensive cameras have some similarities to luxury watches - and some differences.

 

(Click Here) to read Ming's story on THEME.

 

In terms of similarities, Ming makes the point that expensive watches (tens or even hundreds of times more expensive than fully functional modern watches in the lower end) not only lack any technical advantage in terms of accuracy or allowing the user to tell time better, they are worse. A mechanical Rolex is much less accurate than a Casio.

 

The similarities end when you consider that cameras really are tools for creative work. Ming makes the case that there are a lot of poor pictures made with Leicas and Hasselblads. In fact, he believes that the photographers responsible believe their crappy pictures are good, simply because of the tool they were taken with. I can see his point, but don't fully agree. I think this behavior reflects more about the person than the camera they're using.

 

I have recently bought a used Leica M9. Yes, it is a luxury. But you know what? I work really hard for my money, and am very happy to be able to enjoy the luxury of using what I consider to be a great tool. My Leica pictures are no better than those taken with a $350 Lumix DMC-G3. But, they are more fun to take!

 

I also believe that the Leica is capable of producing unique (not better) photographic feel - if I can connect with it better than other cameras. I certainly believe it takes more to make a good picture with the Leica. The same goes for shooting film in my opinion. I am more likely to develop that skill, and move into new creative ground, if I absolutely love the camera I'm using.

 

When I consider what Ming presents, I tend to think of cars rather than watches. For example, a Chevy Corvette will outperform a Porsche Carrera in almost every measure. I like both cars. However, early on, before I transformed into a family station wagon driver, I had a 1986 Porsche. I actually made the decision between the 1986 Porsche and a 1989 Corvette. The Corvette was awesome - fast, tight, like a jet fighter. The Porsche was something altogether different. I just plain fell in love with it. It also took me a while to learn how to drive the Porsche. But boy, was that a fun experience.

 

And back to Ming's point, I never felt that driving a Porsche made me a good driver. It did challenge me in different ways. Ways that added to my life, not the quality of my driving.

 

So, I will be sharing my experiences in using the M9 with you dear readers, as well as my continued use of the excellent products available and coming from Panasonic. Thanks for indulging my need for a little luxury in my favorite hobby.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

Panasonic Announces New Top-Line Compact DMC-LX7

 
 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Image Source: www.dpreview.com

 

Panasonic has announced the successor to the wonderful compact camera DMC-LX5, the Lumix DMC-LX7. I am a long-time LX series devotee, having owned the LX2, and now the LX5. If you haven't looked at the LX series before, you should. I've written before how well the LX5 works as a street photography camera, for me. It's tiny, flexible, has a great feature set (including the ability to lock the f-stop and zoom position when you turn the camera off), all manual controls, and raw file capability.

 

(Click Here) to see my post about the LX5 as a street photography camera.

 

As with all cameras, there are tradeoffs. The LX series cameras have small sensors. The immediate effects are: 1) decreased performance at high iso (noise), and 2) inability to produce shallow depth of field. The LX5 does pretty well up to iso 400, acceptable for small prints (and definitely for viewing on the monitor) at iso 800, after which noise becomes a real issue. The fast zoom allows you to produce a reasonable portrait at the long end of the zoom, wide open. This gives decent shallow depth of field, but nothing like your full-frame fast lenses.

 

(Click Here) to read about the new DMC-LX7 on dpreview.

 

I had heard rumors that the LX7 would have a larger sensor than the LX5, which could have improved the camera in both respects. As it turns out, the sensor on the LX7 is a little smaller. The lens is about a stop faster, so that allows you to shoot at lower iso, which will help with noise. Reportedly, the new sensor also has better inherent signal-to-noise, which should also help. The faster lens also helps with producing shallower depth of field, when it's desired.

 

So, for me this is a mixed bag. While I believe that the new sensor and faster lens will help in these areas, I would have appreciated a bigger sensor more. Also, I tend to use the LX5 for street shooting, which in my own style does not require shallow depth of field. I like to set it on f4 or f5.6, fix the zoom and focus point to give a large depth of field, and shoot what I see on the street. For that, the LX7 offers little for me personally. If the noise performance is really better, which will be challenging with a small sensor, I may change my mind.

 

Part of what I'm saying is that I'm already quite pleased with the LX5. It's really a special little camera. The LX7 is at least as good - I'm just not sure I'll be upgrading anytime soon.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Note - apparently, Panasonic will delay preorder capability until 30 days before the camera will actually ship. I admit that I HATE waiting for a new camera that I've already ordered, and waiting, and waiting. I did this with the Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4, waiting for several months. I'm doing it again now with the Olympus 75mm f1.8 lens. But, delaying preorder only serves as a band-aid. What these companies really need to do is produce faster. If they must make the announcements to keep up with the Joneses, then they need to be ready to deliver. Thanks for letting me rant a little.

 

Here's the DMC-LX5 (not LX7) on Amazon:

 

 

 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 

Check It Out - My Music Festival Report on Cosmic Vibes Live!

 

Cozy Camper at Shenandoah Riverside Festival, by Reed A. George

Panasonic DMC-G3, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4

iso 400, f1.8, 1/1250 sec

 
Last weekend, I attended the Shenandoah Riverside Festival in Berryville, VA, hosted by Earth Korps, an environmental preservation organization.
 
(Click Here) to go to Earth Korps' web page. They do a lot to clean up the river.
 
I was pleased to have the opportunity to write up a review of the weekend for the great live music blog, Cosmic Vibes Live.
 
(Click Here) to read my report on Cosmic Vibes Live.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed the show, and shot a lot of images. In general, I used my Lumix kit during the daylight hours, my Nikon D700 at night. I also shot some film while I was there. I also used fill flash quite a lot, especially the Nissin Di466 on my DMC-G3. I used it in manual mode, which worked well to fill in the shadow under the stage roof, which was considerable in the strong sunny light.
 
(Click Here) to see all of the images I've posted so far.
 
I hope my relationship with Cosmic Vibes Live is a long one. It seems like it's great opportunity for me to practice my writing and photography while adding to their already really informative site.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com