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D3/D700 vs A700 at the same music gig

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Tomodo89

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There's photographer I know in my area who sometimes covers live music like I do and on occasion we find ourselves shooting the same show. He uses a D3 + D700 along with all the 2.8 lenses.

My kit for this night was an A700, Zeiss 85 1.4 and Tamron 17-50 2.8.

My photos: http://tomodo.net/gallery2/farleigh-wallop/

His photos:

http://www.lmiphotography.co.uk/Music/Galleries%20-%20Live/That%20Nadeen%20White%20Experience/album/index.html

http://www.lmiphotography.co.uk/Music/Galleries%20-%20Live/Brassneck%20-%2020.12.09/album/index.html

http://www.lmiphotography.co.uk/Music/Galleries%20-%20Live/Julia%20K/album/index.html

Its always interesting to compare photos - not in a rival "who's best" sense, but to get an insight into how another photographer shoots, what's capable with the high-end gear, and how I can improve and get the best out of my own kit.

Any feedback would be great!

--
Live Music Photographer in Surrey/Hampshire, UK
http://tomodo.net
http://flickr.com/tomodophotography
 
Shhhn! Don't tell anyone. But, with proper exposure, the Sony does better with highlight detail (i.e., that "burned out" look you can get on sections of skin in tougher conditions like that).

Thanks for sharing.

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JimC
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http://www.pbase.com/jcockfield
 
I didnt have time to go thru them all, but I compared the pirate folks between the two..

Technically, I dont see any discernible difference. However, his shots do feel like they have a bit more emotion and character. Your angle has the funky colored lighton them, but his includes the lights some, which makes it look like a bigger/better music venue and a bit more interesting. While in regular portraits I try not to have the cave background, in music photos like this the BG's are always so busy I like them darker and with some more blown out (not even) lighting. just makes it a bit more dramatic. You still did great, these are not easy shots.. And I dont think Pirate girl could look bad in a photo ;)
 
I agree your pix are technically correct. I don't know how to quantify my observation ( I'd love to hear from others because my pictures need something also) but if I were to generalize, many of your pictures look like they were shot during a band rehearsal, while the other photographers were shot during the live show. Does this compute? Not sure if its just 'capture the moment', or the angle, or the composition, or lighting differences, or what.

--
'Better' is the enemy of 'Good Enough'.
 
Interesting observations.

I know his style is to get in close and wide while I like to stand back, observe from a distance and shoot from there. The Zeiss 85mm is really useful for that (giving around 130mm equiv to him) but that obviously gives a tighter view of the musician with little to no view of the stage/venue.

Knowing he likes to get close and do individual shots I decided to use the 17-50mm to do full band shots and to be a bit creative with coloured lights that were lighting the shiny floor and ceiling.

Would be interesting to know what stands out to people in my big set of live music photos from throughout 2009:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomodophotography/sets/72157612394983504/

--
Live Music Photographer in Surrey/Hampshire, UK
http://tomodo.net
http://flickr.com/tomodophotography
 
imo, and i could be wrong because i wasn't there and don't know the 700 but ....

maybe add more contrast, whiten the whites, and i don't know if these are raw shots but if they are it looks to me simply like the difference between RD and the new Bibble5 which seems to give better colour separation with standard settings (but otherwise similar pics) - if they are jpegs maybe try higher contrast, + a tad on rezo and lower chroma settings -

otherwise the obvious - expression is everything and rim light is fun - just my take on it all - anyway, nice shots, thankyou
--
keith
 
Your exposer is higher than his, but you can't match that because his camera has better dynamic range. Your shutter speed is faster so people look less active. Some pictures look cropped? His lens has vignetting which naturally draws attention to the center of the frame. It also creates more contrast. I haven't look through all the pics, just what the first impression is telling me. He is better at post production.
 
Excellent work. I've compared similar images on both my profiled and unprofiled monitors and I can honestly say that your set is by far the better.

I'm particularly impressed at the way you've hung on to the highlights whilst pulling so much detail from the shadows. The auto white balance has done a remarkably good job and at web sizes your iso2000 images have a very satisfying complexion.
 
Thanks for the feedback.

For those interested in EXIF, processing etc:
  • Mostly ISO 2000 - a few 1600, 2500 and 3200 here and there.
  • Multi-segment and centre-weighted metering
  • X. Fine JPEGs
  • In-camera: +2 sharpness & contrast - 'Deep' (recent change from 'Standard')
  • Processed in Lightroom 2 (color noise, clarity, recovery)
This setup is generally the same for all shows I do.

--
Live Music Photographer in Surrey/Hampshire, UK
http://tomodo.net
http://flickr.com/tomodophotography
 
I've been going back and forth trying to analyze why the 'other' photographers appear more 'live'. Two observations: 1. Spotlight - all the pics - yours and his - with the back spotlight(s) in the picture seem to be more alive, and 2. Your pix have a natural smooth portrait style to them while the 'others' are more contrasty with the highlights from the off camera spotlight a little blown out. I think this creates a 'live' effect.

--
'Better' is the enemy of 'Good Enough'.
 
Hi,

Just looking at the pics, it seems than he is taking photos from a lower point compared to you. As a result one see "more" eyes and best facial expressions in his photos. The fact that players often move their head down to look at their instrument doesn't help I think.

Regards,

Pierre
 
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