Professional concert gig with the NX30

MikeVH wrote:

Ah, Raw Jaw, you little raincloud.

Yes, the venue was not fantastic. The layout was roughly as you describe, with the added twist that the entire area between the front row of seats and the stage, which is where I would normally be shooting from, was full of audience members sitting on the floor. I was essentially limited to three shooting positions: Front of the left aisle, front of the right aisle and extreme stage right, perpendicular to the stage facing. I also crawled underneath the piano for a few shots, but those pictures weren't good for very much except shooting up Amanda's skirts.

Your idea to use the tablet as a remote trigger and viewfinder while the camera is raised up on a monopod is an interesting one. I could see doing that in a studio setting or even for a relaxed-pace outdoor shoot. I'm not sure it would have been especially practical in this crowded concert venue, especially since I spent most of the shoot on my knees, but it's something worth considering. Certainly the lighter weight of the NX30 as compared to a DSLR makes that more practical than it would be with my Canon.

I disagree re: the selective focus as a matter of aesthetics. Also I rather like the tilted vertical lines that you describe, but again I think that's a subjective matter. I find that perfect perpendiculars have their place, but in an organic shoot like this to me they seem boring and too formally composed.

In the same spirit in which your constructive criticism was offered, let me say this to you: My uncle Wayne once told me that I was bound to meet the occasional jerk, but if everyone I met was a jerk, then actually the real jerk was me, not them. If people are "often" reacting "defensively" to you, could it be the way that you present your feedbac?

"Little raincloud"?

Sorry to rain on your parade.

No.

They are reacting to the reality of truthful feedback, which I would not want to diminish by adding a sugar coating. The truth hurts but is the best way to respond to a CC request.

By your calling me a name, you are a most ungrateful student.

My words and thoughts are based on my experiences in photography.

When shooting overhead I always have my camera tied to my monopod or light stand, as common sense would dictate.

When looking at a group of images having tilting verticals of the same event, tilting verticals are very distracting.

It is very rare to find a play, or concert image captured with one of the actors out of focus. This is not good at all and again very distracting to your viewers.

Shooting on one's knees also becomes very, very distracting to members of the audience.

My First rule as a photographer is Never, Ever become part of the event. Whether a concert or News Coverage, I keep the lowest profile possible.

Next time you need a clear aisle to shoot from remind the producer that fire regulations in almost every jurisdiction prohibit blocking the aisles with sitting audience members.

A Professional photographer must know how to adapt to the shooting conditions.

That said, thank you for your post. It was helpful, constructive and polite.

Now you have an additional dose of my 'wisdom'.

Take it or leave it but don't bite the hand that is trying to reach out to you in response to your request for help via CC.

You are welcome.