Hello members, I've been a member here for quite some time but just have never posted before. I've been retired from professional work for about 20 yrs now. Being a old transparencie/film medium and large format guy, i still enjoy, now more as a hobby, my darkroom time. I never really dove into digital much, only for simplicity. I worked as a Architecture/Interiors/construction photographer for 30 years. Anyway, to my inquiry. I've been asked to do a photoshoot for an acquaintance's cover band. 7 band members. Having never done this type of photography before, i need some advice from you experts and would like to have suggestions on where I might find some photo examples, posing styles, types of locations, props to use, etc. of this kind of photography. Most of the shoot will be outdoors, as per their request, some at live performances in South Florida. I'll be using a Canon 5D with assorted lenses. No film. If you have any lens suggestions for this application, that would be appreciated as well. Thank you all
What type of music? I would hate to suggest a pentagram for a classical musical group.
I can foresee lighting issues as you will have no control over that. How much freedom will you be afforded during the performances as a photographer? That could provide you with some better vantage points from which to shoot.
--Bob
Photosoup wrote:
Hello members, I've been a member here for quite some time but just have never posted before. I've been retired from professional work for about 20 yrs now. Being a old transparencie/film medium and large format guy, i still enjoy, now more as a hobby, my darkroom time. I never really dove into digital much, only for simplicity. I worked as a Architecture/Interiors/construction photographer for 30 years. Anyway, to my inquiry. I've been asked to do a photoshoot for an acquaintance's cover band. 7 band members. Having never done this type of photography before, i need some advice from you experts and would like to have suggestions on where I might find some photo examples, posing styles, types of locations, props to use, etc. of this kind of photography. Most of the shoot will be outdoors, as per their request, some at live performances in South Florida. I'll be using a Canon 5D with assorted lenses. No film. If you have any lens suggestions for this application, that would be appreciated as well. Thank you all
Hello members, I've been a member here for quite s... (
show quote)
Quite a change from "construction/interiors" (non-people), to modern cover band. Those band members actually probably could give you the best ideas for a location shoot. They'll pick something that goes with their genre/style. For the concerts, different angles from around the stage, and even looking out from back-stage. You'll know in seconds how to set your 5D, just by checking your back screen review. Just keep your shutter-speed up around 1/250 or 1/500 sec.
They are a Jazz/Jazz Rock type. Older guys, all professional...
They have some things in mind. I'm always partial to b&w. I know lighting will be challenging but nothing to problematic. We have rock jetties at the beach, early morning light. We also have the Everglades and sunset lighting. Some funky downtown buildings i like. They give me a quite a bit of discretion.
Thank you, that's some of what they want as well as some area location shots. Your advice is appreciated.
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Photosoup wrote:
Hello members, I've been a member here for quite some time but just have never posted before. I've been retired from professional work for about 20 yrs now. Being a old transparencie/film medium and large format guy, i still enjoy, now more as a hobby, my darkroom time. I never really dove into digital much, only for simplicity. I worked as a Architecture/Interiors/construction photographer for 30 years. Anyway, to my inquiry. I've been asked to do a photoshoot for an acquaintance's cover band. 7 band members. Having never done this type of photography before, i need some advice from you experts and would like to have suggestions on where I might find some photo examples, posing styles, types of locations, props to use, etc. of this kind of photography. Most of the shoot will be outdoors, as per their request, some at live performances in South Florida. I'll be using a Canon 5D with assorted lenses. No film. If you have any lens suggestions for this application, that would be appreciated as well. Thank you all
Hello members, I've been a member here for quite s... (
show quote)
First, as a fellow professional I don't have to tell you the problems with doing something your not familiar with or doing a photo shoot for the first time.
I suggest you look at as many album covers as you can, it will give you ideas you can use. Architecture/Interiors/construction photography do not have people you have to pose in them as a group.
Good luck.
Which EOS 5D model, as there's an original and marks II to IV? The newer models will respond better to higher ISOs you might expect in lower light. Your most versatile lens for this situation are versions of Canon's EF 24-70 f/2.8L or similar f/2.8 zooms in the range. You might also try the EF 16-35 f/2.8L. You might use a fast prime, such as any of Canon's EF 50mm options, ranging from f/1.2 thru f/1.8, maybe shot around f/2, or the EF 35mm options.
CHG_CANON wrote:
Which EOS 5D model, as there's an original and marks II to IV? The newer models will respond better to higher ISOs you might expect in lower light. Your most versatile lens for this situation are versions of Canon's EF 24-70 f/2.8L or similar f/2.8 zooms in the range. You might also try the EF 16-35 f/2.8L. You might use a fast prime, such as any of Canon's EF 50mm options, ranging from f/1.2 thru f/1.8, maybe shot around f/2, or the EF 35mm options.
Not sure how can recommend specific focal lengths without, as Rmalarz mentioned, knowing how close the guy will be to the action. I also never quite understood the oft-repeated blanket suggestion to use very fast glass in low light as a substitute for higher ISO. That old saw was a last resort in film days when you were stuck with the film ISO loaded in the camera. Fast glass works only if depth of field considerations allow. To be clear, I will shoot at 2.8 or 1.8 when I want to utilize the shallow dof artistically. But generally speaking, if I am shooting groups in a non studio like setting (especially if they are moving) or need to record the foreground/background in focus, I seldom shoot my 24-70 @2.8. We are blessed with digital bodies (and amazing software to often mitigate the noise) that allow you to instantly change the ISO all over the scale and achieve excellent results.
In fact, more a more, in cases where I am shooting in changing light, I set my camera to manual, select the shutter speed combo/aperture to what I need for action and desired dof and let the camera choose the ISO. When I shot film, I had only 2 variables that were adjustable. With auto-iso, there is a useful 3rd variable and it allows me to shoot digital as though I were using my old, non auto metering film cameras. I chose ss/fstop and would be constantly fiddling with manual exposure as the light changed. Today, I set first 2 and don’t worry.
Rick from NY wrote:
Not sure how can recommend specific focal lengths without, as Rmalarz mentioned, knowing how close the guy will be to the action. I also never quite understood the oft-repeated blanket suggestion to use very fast glass in low light as a substitute for higher ISO. That old saw was a last resort in film days when you were stuck with the film ISO loaded in the camera. Fast glass works only if depth of field considerations allow. To be clear, I will shoot at 2.8 or 1.8 when I want to utilize the shallow dof artistically. But generally speaking, if I am shooting groups in a non studio like setting (especially if they are moving) or need to record the foreground/background in focus, I seldom shoot my 24-70 @2.8. We are blessed with digital bodies (and amazing software to often mitigate the noise) that allow you to instantly change the ISO all over the scale and achieve excellent results.
In fact, more a more, in cases where I am shooting in changing light, I set my camera to manual, select the shutter speed combo/aperture to what I need for action and desired dof and let the camera choose the ISO. When I shot film, I had only 2 variables that were adjustable. With auto-iso, there is a useful 3rd variable and it allows me to shoot digital as though I were using my old, non auto metering film cameras. I chose ss/fstop and would be constantly fiddling with manual exposure as the light changed. Today, I set first 2 and don’t worry.
Not sure how can recommend specific focal lengths ... (
show quote)
I answered the mail, providing a range of ideas, also while asking a probing / clarifying question of an overall vague post. What did you do that might be considered helpful to the OP?
CHG_CANON wrote:
I answered the mail, providing a range of ideas, also while asking a probing / clarifying question of an overall vague post. What did you do that might be considered helpful to the OP?
There is no call for your smug snarkiness. What I did was tell him consider using auto ISO in a situation where light may not be consistent and suggest that shooting wide open might not be the wisest idea, but of course he would know that since he is a pro.
I envy your ability to have the definitive answer to 30,000 questions in this forum, I wish I were that confident in my ability to be the UHH Oracle!
Rick from NY wrote:
There is no call for your smug snarkiness. What I did was tell him consider using auto ISO in a situation where light may not be consistent and suggest that shooting wide open might not be the wisest idea, but of course he would know that since he is a pro.
I envy your ability to have the definitive answer to 30,000 questions in this forum, I wish I were that confident in my ability to be the UHH Oracle!
You're confident enough to throw stones at me. I don't know how or why. Next time we get some Chg Canon Fan Boyz hats in-stock, we'll reach out for your shipping address.
Throw stones? Wow! So anyone who posts a reply that does not agree with your gospel is throwing stones? I’m done participating in this sad conversation.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.