ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

Last night I took some photos of my father and his singing partner at a farmer's market. Every time I photograph them I am just not happy with the results. It is extremely hard to get them both with a decent expression. What I try to get is them interacting in between sets, but they always tend to be facing the wrong direction. Basically I'm looking for the connection that they have and I am trying to photograph that. Photographing them with their mouths gaping open is not really what I'm going for, ha ha. Does anyone photograph musicians who could give me some tips?

I have done some formal shoots with them and of course those come out fine. It's the performing part I'm having trouble with.

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

It's not just musicians, but any group of people you are trying to capture in a candid shot.

I usually do two things in those instances. The first is to find the location(s) for the camera where you get their faces. The second is to find the location(s) where you get a natural and relatively close grouping. Neither of these may be straight on from the front, but if you can get a spot where both those things are happening you will usually get good shots. For a small music group, these locations are frequently from the side or the 3/4 position. I usually do not get good pix of all the musicians from one side.

I've not done a group of two, but my first attempt would be to stand directly in front of them and then move to one side or another to the point that one singer's body is covering the other by about 1/4.

If you're only trying between sets, what are they doing between sets? I'd try to focus on whatever objects they will be interacting with and let them come into the picture.

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

I am shooting the whole time, but I'm looking for interactions between them too. It was hard to get where I wanted to be because I'd be in people's way, so I tried to get them sort of 3/4 on if I could. That way I was a bit off to the side. They were outside but also under a tent so they were sort of shaded.

Usually during sets there's a bit of chit chat and they usually joke around. It's my aunt and my father so I guess maybe that's why I'm looking for the connection piece as well.

My middle son kept running up to the microphone in between songs and saying hello hello? That was a riot.

emrob62 Loc: NEPA

Sounds like it would be a nice scene to capture. The problem is that since they are interacting between sets, one or the other will almost always facing the wrong way. Not knowing the equipment your using, may I suggest a camera/lens that would allow you to get closer, possibly even inside the tent (hey your family and they need stage hands) and if its between songs I wouldnt worry about getting in somebodys ways for a few seconds. Good luck.
and PS. Hope someone is videotaping your son and his walk ons (unless he's just being a trouble making teenager)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Did you try continuous shooting mode? Getting a dozen shots in a couple of seconds gives you more of a chance to get one good one?

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Jerry has the right answer.
Whenever shooting action between people, burst mode is the way to go. You will always get "transitional expressions" that look un-natural and unflattering.
By shooting in high-speed rapid bursts you dramatically increase your chances of capturing that magical moment when they catch each other's eye and their expressions acknowledge that moment.
That's one of the key differences between a good photograph and a great one.

If you are using a point and shoot camera (versus a DSLR), you may not be able to do any more than you are doing. That's just the nature of P&S vs. DSLR cameras.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

You have received some very good advice for capturing natural images of your family musicians between sets. One more is to place yourself, with camera, in a position to capture those moments when the performers are interacting with friends and the audience. Take a few lessons from some of the national video photographers, and their reporters. They almost always manage to get both the subject, and the reporter together in a tight scene for an informative video capture.

Before jumping to conclusions about video and still images, consider that video is nothing more than a collection of still images cobbled together to form a moving image. The key is to place yourself in a position similar to the new photographer, and this may take a little aggressive action on your part to move people out of the way.

Most people will move a little to enable the professional working photographer to get the pictures he/she needs. As long as the photographer is professional and polite in approach people will comply.

Michael G

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

Don't worry about about being in peoples way,get in take pics on burst mode and move on.
Ansel Adams quote "Taking a good photograph is knowing where to stand"

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

Ha ha ha ha I know, I'm too polite for my own good.

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

To whoever asked what I'm shooting with, yes I have Nikon D700, so I could shoot in burst mode next time. How well does it work with BBF?

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

BBF? Know how you feel,have tended to stand back too.
You don't have stand in front toolong,most people will put up with a quick series of shots.
As we shoot for newspapers one has to get the shots......lol

Lionsgate Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona

Don't be too disappointed. Now that you know what NOT to do change your approach. It may take several sets or even gigs before you get the desired results. Keep a log of what did and didn't work and before you go on a similar job review your notes.

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

BBF = back button focus