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.

Every photographer who shoots live music fights with the stage lighting. I don’t care who they are, they do. Knowing and understanding light makes the difference in photos.

During my RCPM Mexico Trip with Chadwick Fowler we talked a lot about light. Good lighting, bad lighting, flash settings, ambient light – you name it. He is someone who gets it and can covey the importance of proper lighting.

Conversely, I am not that technical of a photographer, which admittedly is a shortcoming. With that being disclosed, here is what I can share with you about concert light and stage lighting.

When I photograph live music I look for patterns in the stage lighting. Many venues even use programmed lighting, which makes it much easier to predict lighting patterns.

I try to look for white spotlights with colorful backlighting. Many times this light combination will give you the dramatic photograph that puts your audience at the concert. The other combination I look for is blue and green spotlights with white back lighting. This also works really well. Look for patterns that work for you and your equipment. (Example of white spotlights with a colorful background – Kid Rock Country Thunder / Florence, AZ.)

Now the bad. Red stage lights are the most difficult to work with. The red lighting is so powerful to the camera’s sensor that it often overpowers everything else. This doesn’t mean that you can’t work with it, it just means that it may take some time, practice and patience. (Here’s my favorite concert photo taken with red lights – Roger Clyne New Year’s Eve / Phoenix, AZ.)

Like anything, photography takes a lot of work and practice – music photography especially. When I photograph music I may take as many as 600 photos, of which I really like 15 - of which 4 are great. Be patient, practice as often as possible, look for lighting patterns and strive to capture the emotion of the performance.

Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks everyone for reading!

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

(This is more of a personal post – Thursday’s post will talk about Music Photography and Stage Lighting)

It’s been a whirlwind since I returned from Circus Mexicus earlier in the month. I have been trying to balance my new company – GRT2 Studios, Life & Art plus our project of passion The Music Matters Project.

The good news is that everything is going amazingly well. GRT2 Studios is off to an amazing start (GRT2 Studios is a Digital Marketing Agency specializing in Digital Content Creation) and I feel especially blessed. Life is moving along at a fast pace which is fine for now and I completely understand that this is what I signed up for. The Music Matters Project is winding down its submission period and has been so well received that it’s awesome.

On the other hand, the bad news is that I haven’t picked up my camera since returning from Mexico. I’ve done plenty of editing and viewing submissions but no creating photographs.

As part of my business model for GRT2 Studios we offer our clients photography and video services. Since we pride ourselves on being DIGITAL CONTENT AGENTS, so we specialize in media rich content. HD Video, Stills and editing all with the end result of marketing metrics in mind.

There are a couple of amazing opportunities coming up that will have me on the creative side of the camera very soon. Most notably, I’ve been selected to shoot STERN SAVAGE and the ASH Music crew on three occasions in July – two live performances and one studio session.

So, I guess that’s the update. All is good, all is busy and I am grateful. Thanks for your time – ‘Here’s to Life!!! I will be returning to making photographs very soon.

(Like I mentioned please stay tuned for Thursday’s post on Music Photography and Stage Lighting)

We are down to the wire! Submissions of your music photos for The Music Matters Project need to be received by July 1,2010. We are overwhelmed by everyone’s participation and want this last week to rock!

So far we have over 150 submission from all over the world but it’s not too late for you to submit your music photos for the project! Photos can still be sent to: submissions@musicmattersproject.org

It’s amazing how diverse the photos we’ve received have been. Photographers have sent us photos of everyone from Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers,The Grateful Dead, Jane’s Addiction, DIO to our new friend Angie Stevens.

If you want a sneak preview of some photos being considered please head over to The Music Matters Flickr Pool.

What’s next: The Music Matters Project Team will put out a one (1) week call for submissions for any candid photos you took of you and your friends at any concert or music event. We feel that this gives everyone a chance at having their photo published in The Music Matters Project Vol. 1.

So, please pay attention for our announcement coming soon!

A big thanks goes out to everyone for everything, this project has been so much fun and we look forward to making an awesome contribution to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund.

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.

“Well here comes another post (song) about Mexico…” Not really.

What can I say that hasn’t been said about Circus Mexicus. I’ve always said that Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers is the hardest working band in the music business but that also extends to crew members and to everyone’s family. Kudos to everyone.

Being in Puerto Penasco was awesome. Being a new small business owner and being asked to join one of the most talented photography and video teams I’ve ever seen was just amazing. I kept repeating a line from Clerks – “I’m not even supposed to be here.”

Chadwick Fowler had a vision for the project and he and his assistant Eric Fullmer directed Sergio Gastelum and myself with what needed to be done. I literally pulled up to Sunset Cantina met the guys and had my camera in hand firing shots within 20 minutes of arrival.

We photographed a full night of music on Friday, Beach Soccer and the concert on Saturday only to return to JJ’s Cantina to shoot Mananathon on Sunday.

I left Tempe looking to have Fun, Collaborate and come back as a better Photographer. Working under Chadwick was a great experience. What I learned about strobes and lighting made the trip worth while. Seriously, if you ever have an opportunity to work with someone who knows their shit about lighting – do it.

Here’s what has been the hardest part of the whole experience – I was part of a team and I shot some photographs that I am extremely proud of. Typically, they would have been released by now but as part of the agreement to join the project the images are to be released as part of the whole package. I understand what I signed up for but it’s been harder than anticipated.

Our project goes into post production this week with an ambitious deadline. Just like everyone else I can wait to see the final product and I can’t wait to do it all over again.

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.