Suo Gan

[Gremlich]

I took this from backstage on the cruise ship on the way back from Bermuda. (You should go sometime)

The band, "The Rogues", put on a public show on the ship and the hall was filled to capacity (800 people). Jeania, the woman in the center, was about to sing Suo Gan, a Welsh lullaby. You will notice that the stage staff were a tad liberal with the smoke machine, but the effects I got were decent. 24mm, 1/60, f/4.5, ISO 800, +0.7 exposure, WB:Tungsten, no flash. Shot in monochrome (on purpose).

[theantiquetiger]

Ok, let me try this critiquing thing again.

I cannot comment on the technical side of it, So I will gave you my layman's view of what I would try and do if I had this great shot. I feel the smoke is great but is also robbing the shot. Could you darken in some of the blacks (i.e. Her bra, the back of the guy on far right with shadow of his head down his back).

I'm not sure if I am even using the correct terminology, but maybe more contrast (sharper blacks, whiter whites). I've seen some great shots of jazz and blues bars down here in New Orleans, and you came close.

Edit: After studying the image a little more, IMO, I think there is too much dead space above the figures (I may have cropped it just above the lowest spotlight) and too much to the right (I would have cropped just inside the water bottle in btm right corner).

Like I said, this is just my layman's critique. You have a great shot here and with just some minor tweaking, you can have something outstanding!!!!

[Gremlich]

Thanx for the critique, even though I did not post this in the critique thread.

I shoot for the band, not necessarily for myself on these shots. Before I post, I ask them first. There isn't that much dead space above the members, there are lights there which add to the effect of the smoke (which I had no control over). And keep in mind, this is a concert. The water bottle is part of the scenery as much as the instruments are. Cropping it is an option if a gallery wrap is being done or mattes. Also, I actually brightened up this shot as it was TOO dark. Check out my images of the B-52s on my deviantart site.

The Jazz or Blues genres require a different eye. Cigarette smoke, and not a smoke machine, and definitely more contrast/brightness consideration. Sepia even. And a whiskey bottle. No one would say anything if there was one of those in the shot.

I also withhold some of my better shots for sale. Here's another view, different shot and cropped. This may make it into one of their CDs.

[theantiquetiger]

I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was not in critique area (I look through "Today's Post" search tab). I love the second shot you posted, that's what I was referring to when I mentioned images of jazz and blues bars down here in Louisiana. I love that dark, smoke filled room look.

[mellowinman]

Nice.

Whoever filled the room with smoke, (be it smokers, or smoke machine operator, or a combination of the two,) didn't care too much about the singers' vocal chords.

I would've been VERY unhappy about that!

[Bambi]

really neat shots. I love the second one- it has a real mood to it.