Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s what looks like another fun event put on by my friends at Gangpank,in Chandler, AZ. (If you don’t know about Gangplank and their importance to the tech/creative community in Arizona – please read this article.)

The Chandler Photo Throwdown is a photo competition where Downtown Chandler has been divided into 20 small areas. 20 photographers (professionals and amateurs) will shoot photos of designated areas and post to Flickr – tagged with Chandler Throwdown. (I believe the initial concept for the Chandler Photo Throwdown came from James Archer of FORTY Agency – I didn’t want to not mention that.)

One winning photo will be selected from each area. Plus 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards will be given to the best photos overall at the conclusion of the contest on September 25th.

I was honored to be selected as one of the 20 photographers whose work will be juried for this photo competition.

The above photo is an example of my submission for Grid 19. This photo was taken during Desert Bloom Phoenix Two. (Here’s a cool video of some time lapse photography I did during the same session.) With my camera on a tripod across the street, I set the camera at f11 with a 4 second exposure. I wanted to capture the essence of what was happening inside plus the stream of cars traveling down Arizona Avenue. It was almost as if the cars were passing by not even knowing about what was happening inside or what happens at Gangplank.

I will continue to post updates here as I make progress with my Chandler Photo Throwdown photos.

What do you think about photo competitions? Leave a comment and share your experience. Thanks.

Saturday night (July 17, 2010 for the record) and The Marquee Theater in Tempe, AZ is packed. The occasion –  Silversun Pickups and Against Me. (Two quick random notes: The box office line was out of control. I don’t think anyone bothered to buy tickets until the night of the show. Thanks to the very kind couple who let me cut in line so I can get my photo passes squared away. The other thing – I do not understand why The Marquee Theater was so hot. It was almost unbearable to be in the venue for this show.)

The crowd seemed close to 50-50. Many people were there to see Against Me who probably had little or no interest in seeing SSPU. I was there to see SSPU and shoot photos.

The Tale of Two Different Photo Shoots

Against Me came on stage with lots of energy and commanded the crowd’s attention. The stage was set with white lights on stage right and left set in back of the band. They used no over head stage lights – none at all. It was easily the best lighting conditions to photograph music. Photographing the Against Me set went smoothly with no struggle. (Photos of Against Me Live in Tempe can be found on my Flickr page.) Thanks for keeping the photographers in mind with your stage set up.

Silversun Pickups hit the stage about 30 minutes later and things couldn’t be different. I knew when the house lights went off and the drum kit was lit in with a light blue spotlight that I was going to have some fun. SSPU played a great set – I loved it. The whole show was played under red and blue spotlights. (See my article about photography and concert lighting) Red lighting is the hardest light to work with when taking concert photos. I tried to wait for the white spotlights but it wasn’t going to happen and the longer I waited the more chances I had of missing my shots.

The dynamics of concert photography and only being allowed to photograph three songs means you have to make decisions on the fly. If you wait for the right moment every time to press the shutter you will miss your shot. As with any other type of action photography (yes music is action photography) you need to anticipate the moment and sometimes it’s a guessing game. Just guess right more often than not.

Silversun Pickups was one of the most difficult shoots I’ve had in a long time which is why I absolutely love the photo of singer/guitarist Brian Aubert posted above. When the stage light is less than optimal for photographs try to capture the emotion of the performer. In your post production process maybe things will come together as they did for me. (This was also some of the most extensive post production work I’ve had to do for any music photo.)

What’s the most difficult light you shoot in? Do you have lighting conditions you prefer to shoot it? Let everyone know by posting a comment below.

This website is managed by GRT2 Studios. GRT2 Studios is a Digital Marketing Agency, in Tempe AZ, specializing in great content creation. WE ARE DIGITAL CONTENT AGENTS. Send us an email if you would like a free Marketing 2.0  brand  consultationGRT2@GRT2Studios.com – We look forward to speaking with you.

I do not do a lot of studio photography, I’m not sure why. It’s a part of  GRT2 Studios‘s business mix but we seem to get pulled in on live evenst or location photography/video projects.

Saturday night at Gangplank, I booked a session to shot the fellas from ASH (Arizona Stronghold) Music. Ten guys – individual photos and group shots.

I tested everything. Made sure the lights were positioned approximately where they needed to be. White balance set. Flash Set. The shoot was all systems go from the photographer’s point of view. (Remember that sentence.)

I photographed the first three guys as a group and then let them get comfortable and “mug” for some individual photos. Repeat two or three times and everyone is photographed including many group shots. (I got the shots I need to deliver a great product to the client.) I sent for the next group of guys when I knew I had the photos needed.

As a photographer, I know when I capture an image that works. I see the shot on my camera’s LED display or on  a monitor when I shoot tethered and know when I have the photo.

I get a call the next day saying that some of the guys felt rushed through the shoot and didn’t feel like they got their money’s worth. I listen to the client, I understand his point of view, I recognize where I went wrong and I agree to re-shoot anything if they are not happy with the photographs delivered – all I want is a happy client.

This is where I went wrong. Sometimes people want to get the photo shoot over with and just want great usable photos delivered. Other times, clients want the experience of getting their photo taken. I FAILED to recognize who I was working with and that’s entirely my fault.

I knew however incredible the images were I deliver the client still wouldn’t be happy. In their mind I cheated them of the experience. They were paying me for the experience as well as the delivered photos.

This week I’ll schedule time and re-shoot any one who is unhappy because I want everyone I work with to have a great photo experience from GRT2 Studios.

If you take anything away from this post take this with you: Recognize who you are working with. Are they there solely for the images or are they there for photographs and the experience. We are the professionals and it’s our responsibility to meet the client’s needs and expectations whatever it may be.

Any other photographers ever experience this? Leave a comment and let me know how you handled it or what  you think of this situation.

In the spirit of the 4th of July, here are some tips to help you get some great fireworks photos.

1. Think SLOW. Slow the shutter speed to get the trail effect of the fireworks
2. Use a Tri-Pod or anything to stabilize your camera. This is probably the most important tip.
3. Anticipate the apex of the explosion.
4. Use the lowest ISO setting possible
5. Use the Live View feature of your camera if you have one
6. Enjoy, Have Fun and be Patient. (More often than not great photography are an exercise in patience.)

Have a happy and safe 4th of July. Here’s a link to another article How To Get Fireworks Photos from Digital Photography School. ~ Enjoy

The above photo is from one of my very first trips to Flagstaff. It was one of those moments – do I get out of the car and take the photo, I’m kind of tired and feel like being done for the day. You know, the moments as photographers we all have. Today I’m so grateful that I did. This spot no longer exists due to the Schutz Forest Fire in Flagstaff, AZ.

Forest fires are nasty creatures. They are especially when they start due to people’s carelessness. At the same time a friend reminded me they are a necessary part of the cycle.

I wanted to take a moment and pay tribute to what was one of my favorite places in Northern Arizona. (Kristina’s friend Mike even worked on making the fence in the photo.) I hope to enjoy this spot again.

Photographs evoke memories and emotion. The next time you are contemplating taking a photograph or not – just do it. The moment and the place will not last forever.

A last minute photo/video assignment came up on Tuesday that has me headed to Rocky Point, Mexico this morning. Chadwick Fowler, one of the people who holds the bar for music photography, asked me to assist him on an ambitious project he is working on for RCPM.

The magnitude of this project is larger than anything I’ve ever worked on and the only time I’ve worked a series of events as a team. I am headed to Mexico, ego aside to work on something special. This project falls perfectly in line with my model of collaboration – I love it.

Circus Mexicus is a weekend of festivities hosted by Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers. We will be working a preliminary show at JJ’s Cantina with all the opening bands, a beach soccer tournament, the main show Saturday night at Changos and then we’ll return to JJ’s for the “Hangover Bash.” I said it was ambitous.

The expectations I have for the weekend are to have some fun, learn a lot, come back a better/smarter photographer, devise a comprehensive PR strategy for the project and GRT2 Studios plus make something we are all extremely proud of afterwards

¡Adios amigos!

The biggest photo fail of the year. Yeah that’s a bold statement but I’m running with it. My Photo365 Project has ceased. (Click here for a link to previous photo 365 video post.)

I have a million reasons why. Well, maybe not a million but there are some reasons why it happened. The main reason – I lost interest. You know I’m a fan of transparency, so there you have it. I lost interest in the project and I’m disappointed.

I noticed interest started to wane when I stopped editing the photos in Aperture. After that I start I stopped importing the shots from my camera. Now we are at this point where I have missed several days in a row and I don’t seeing it starting up again. (Plus, self portraits everyday is harder than it sounds.)

It’s been said that true success can’t be measured until after you experience failure. I look forward to being on the other side of that coin soon.

Have you ever experienced an artistic or photography failure? Please share it and get it off your chest.

Blogging is a great tool for photographers to push their work out into the world. Here are 8 reasons why every photographer should blog…

1. People Get To See Your Work
2. You Can Get Critique and Feedback
3. It Humanizes The Person Behind The Photographs
4. You Can Connect With Other Photographers & Build a Community
5. It Helps With Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
6. It’s a Great Way To Get Hired
7. Position Yourself As A Subject Matter Expert
8. The Amount of Work to for the Payoff is All Worth It.

Do you blog about your photographs or about photography topics? Here’s your chance…post a link in the comments to your blog and let other people find you.

Confidence is the mark of the true professional. You’ve taken the time to study, appreciate and execute your vision through photography. When you are in the field taking photographs there is no doubt you will walk away with your shot.

I also find that the confident photography is pretty transparent about his work. They hide no secrets. There is no reason to hold back information in conversation. He is interested in helping others elevate their craft.

The confident photographer allows his images to speak for themselves. The photographs left behind are a part of the photographer’s legacy – but so is how we treat others.

There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance or ego – what side of the line are you on?