Jazz Singer

[Loose Canon]

On the weekend last I took a little time off (one evening) from all the Honey-Do’s flying around my house!

I went to an annual jazz festival. I try not to miss this not only because it’s a huge night for jazz, but I grew up with most of the long-time local musicians/legends.

It is a real treat for me and I always try to take a few shots for the players since they are my friends.

From a photographic standpoint, this was one of, if not the worst conditions I have ever encountered. The lighting (actually lack thereof) was abysmal, the color cast was horrendous, and I almost decided not to even bother shooting. Then I thought just do it anyway since there would be nothing to lose!

I decided to post this because I wanted to share some of the details/settings of the shot with some folks who would know what I was talking about and might get a kick out of it! The musicians/civilians who have seen shots from this shoot really have no idea!

This was shot at:
Aperture Priority. I just opened the lens all the way up and prayed!
f/2.8
Shutter- 1/80
185mm Focal Length
ISO- 8000 (That’s not a typo! It’s also why I was praying!)

I exposed to the right as far as I could and there are actually a couple of blown spots on this shot.

I processed it fully in color, ran some noise reduction on the BG, did the conversion to mono, and added a touch of skin softening on her face. Some dodging, burning, a bit of vignette and a lot of shock that the shot was even remotely usable!

[Shadowman]

Nice effort, the mic and hair are exceptionally sharp, the face is reasonably sharp and no complaints about noise or any reduction applied.

[Donald]

And it's a beauty of a picture.

Back to that old adage. Get the exposure as right as possible in camera so that you're not pushing it in post-processing and noise becomes a minor factor. That's the knowledge and skill of the photographer.

[John 2]

That's a good image under any circumstances Terry. Not perfect but given the conditions, it is an excellent capture(and PP).

[Manfred M]

I find that these types of shots are tough to do. The lighting, location and the constantly moving performers all conspire against the photographer. I think you have pulled off a very nice image, given the circumstances.

The only minor quibble I might have is the positioning of the microphone in front of the singer's face. You almost nailed it there, but a bit more separation. where the mic does not cover any of the face would have been even better.

[bnnrcn]

I like the image and the conversion Terry

[DEAN01]

Lovely image, Terry. I like the singer's intensity.

[Loose Canon]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate everyone viewing and commenting.

To be honest, from a photographic standpoint these festivals are a little boring to shoot even though they are my friends! They are jazz players, not a rock show! So there is no jumping around stage, pyrotechnics, or light shows! In fact this year they had no lighting whatsoever on this particular stage. Only ambient street lights and that was poor. They had to light their individual music stands just to see the music!

Just as well though! No way could I have stopped much motion under these conditions!

I usually just hope to get a couple of decent shots of the players doing their thang, post them on social media, and hopefully they’ll get a little something somewhat better than the cell phone shots.

Its win-win! I get to hear some great jazz, and they get something from me in return besides undying appreciation.

[wilgk]

You're my Hero!

[wilgk]

& p.s having been faced with situations such as this, the advice & tutoring given by Terry & others here is valuable beyond measure.... & yep I did read the ISO as 800!

[Shadowman]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate everyone viewing and commenting.

To be honest, from a photographic standpoint these festivals are a little boring to shoot even though they are my friends! They are jazz players, not a rock show! So there is no jumping around stage, pyrotechnics, or light shows! In fact this year they had no lighting whatsoever on this particular stage. Only ambient street lights and that was poor. They had to light their individual music stands just to see the music!

Just as well though! No way could I have stopped much motion under these conditions!

I usually just hope to get a couple of decent shots of the players doing their thang, post them on social media, and hopefully they’ll get a little something somewhat better than the cell phone shots.

Its win-win! I get to hear some great jazz, and they get something from me in return besides undying appreciation.

To me it's all about the personality, the way the entertainer looks in their clothing, and the gestures. A good portrait can be pulled from a shot of a pianist or drummer who may not have their faces blocked by microphone.

[Dave Humphries]

That is exceptionally sharp for that ISO, you must have very good techniques Terry,

Last pub I shot in, the only lighting was pub wall lights behind the band (seriously blowing out the wall) and a couple of the band's 'colour cycling' LED spots blasting them from the side - my pictures were just silhouettes

Cheers, Dave

[Stagecoach]

It works for me Terry, and a great example of pushing things to the max.

[Rob Ekins]

Well recovered...

The microphone does not bother me and it probably won't bother her when she sees this image either


As you are no doubt aware, but for the benefit of others that would like to shoot bands:
Experienced singers (and this lady looks like she knows what she is doing) are constantly moving around the microphone to control level/timbre/tone, they use the microphones position in relation to themselves as an extension of their instrument.. the voice, so it can be very hard to get a shot where they are not all over the mic or right off it.

.

[IzzieK]

I have no problem either with this processing, Terry...but I do have a big problem with singers who eat their microphone...and most of them do!

[rpcrowe]

A difficult situation resulting in a very nice image!

[Loose Canon]

Thanks again everyone. Sorry to be so long getting back to this.

The mic is indeed an extension of a vocalist’s instrument and one who doesn’t know how to use one is a sound mixer’s nightmare!

I’m used to seeing a vocalist “eating” their mic! They need to keep the mic at a consistent distance away to keep the consistence in sound. A lot like a headset mic. I really don’t see it as any different from a horn in a player’s face!

Thanks for commenting everyone!