Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra

[theantiquetiger]

I am asking for a critique over all, not just on the images. Feel free to pick one or two to critique if you want. If you are going to critique one, I would rather do one you don't care for or the weakest one.

I was asked to shoot the BRSO's "Mozart on the Lake" at a local plantation, but at the last minute they moved it inside for fear of rain. So instead of getting great shots with a lake and Live Oaks in the background, I had to settle with what I had to work with. I didn't want to use a flash.

Here is a link to the set (more to come next couple days) https://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/sets/72157652602407409

Some of my favorites

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5445/17614925479_e89009f057_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sQz6DH)brso4 (https://flic.kr/p/sQz6DH) by Chris Campbell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

(intentional movement, tripod mounted)
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7658/17614951289_d7c724c7d0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sQzejH)brso1 (https://flic.kr/p/sQzejH) by Chris Campbell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8786/17613374958_d4c87e671f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sQr9JA)brso3 (https://flic.kr/p/sQr9JA) by Chris Campbell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5331/17613491520_28128aa9f3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sQrKoh)brso18 (https://flic.kr/p/sQrKoh) by Chris Campbell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7762/17617321320_2bceaeb340_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sQMnRj)brso26 (https://flic.kr/p/sQMnRj) by Chris Campbell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7746/17618592529_c5491932fe_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sQTTJH)brso30 (https://flic.kr/p/sQTTJH) by Chris Campbell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8893/17802063322_c0b1e20f4e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/t87edf)brso32 (https://flic.kr/p/t87edf) by Chris Campbell (https://www.flickr.com/photos/theantiquetiger/), on Flickr

[Runmonty]

Nice set AT. You have really done a good job here.

To start off with I will make some observations and comments on the last image - brso32. It sounds like you want harsh brutal critique, so here goes the nit picking (and it really is nit picking)

The symmetry works well with this but is just off centre. Half a step to the left would have lined the conductor with the centre of the doors. Good timing with his arms in the air. Again if you were a fraction to the left you may have captured the 2 centre musicians a little clearer.

It is a shame that the light fitting didn't line up as well. I would also have liked to see you 1 step further back to avoid cropping the window and the musician on the left. If you could have laid down the table number it would have been a bit better because it is white against black and does draw the eye to it. Similarly if you could have decapitated the guy bottom left........ :laughing:

You did a super job with the dynamic range, capturing the outside foliage yet still getting inside detail. I am guessing you had to lighten the shadows quite a bit here?

The EXIF data has been stripped from the image on Flickr, but I would be interested to know the ISO & shutter speed. With your fancy new camera you should have been able to push the ISO fairly high to keep a fast shutter speed. This is where the features of the 5D should really help. Did you use a tripod?, I think a tripod could have helped in this situation with what I am guessing were slowish shutter speeds.

In terms of processing there is small amount of chromatic aberration (see the left side of the far left music stand). I would have also tried the dodge the outside musician faces a little more if possible.

I am not sure that there is much you could have done with positioning, but these were just a few thoughts I had. If I get some more time later I may come back to another image.

[theantiquetiger]

I see the EXIF data on Flickr, so not sure why you don't, but it is f/6.3, 1/80 sec, ISO 400, 70mm FL.

I noticed my missed position as soon as I processed the image.

One thing you need to know about these shots, there were people and tables/chairs everywhere, so that may have been a factor.

Come to find out, there is a silent mode on my camera that makes the shutter a lot quieter. I think it slows do the camera tho (I am not sure).

[theantiquetiger]

As for the ISO, most of my images were shot at 6400 (I set it in Auto because of the vast variety of lighting). The last one above is at 400 probably because of the bright window.

Another thing to consider about this event. I had free range to do what I want, but it was a $150 a plate charity event, so I made sure I didn't get in anyone's way.

The director of the symphony is very pleased with the images and has already invited me to shoot an event this Thursday evening. He is a photographer as well.

[asnow]

It's a shame they moved it indoors. It definitely created tough lighting conditions which you handled very well. In general I'd say well done. My comments are more in general nature than specific like Runmonty's.

1. I know you need to get the obligatory group atmosphere shots, but my favourites are the more close up ones like the food and the menu.

2. The intentional movement pic, I find is either too much (seems a bit weird with all the head blur). I would like to see a bit more subtle blur in the bow or say conductors hand. Or it is not enough to be more like Marko's intentional camera movement pics. In my opinion you are kind of caught in the middle.

3. Not sure how easy it would have been with the access you had, but I would like to have seen more isolated shots of one or a few musicians like the clarinet and oboe pics on your flickr page.

4. Candid shots of the people are very good.

5. I like the shot from above.

I had to do something similar last year, take pictures at the Company's Leadership Conference so I know how hard this is. Similarly bad lighting conditions with light coming in a big long window on one side of the room. Huge challenge in getting the exposure correct.

[theantiquetiger]

It was a hard shoot, but I am pleased how they came out.

I did go back and crop out the table tent #4 that was right on his butt. I wish I could do something with the back of that guy's head

[Marko]

this is a very hard shoot to do well and you've done a good job overall. cakes are my faves - because they are clean and free of distractions. (which are everywhere in a shoot like this.)
Table shot - that's an easier one to handle by putting just 1 or 2 items items in the main plane of the foreground using a big aperture (f2.8 or F4 ...normally the menu or table setting and watching what falls in the background).
hope that may help

[Runmonty]

I wish I could do something with the back of that guy's head

If you are comfortable in Photoshop, use the patch tool. Just take small bites at a time. As the surrounding area is black all around it is probably not too hard to clone out either, or even use a black brush.