Childrens Choir of Uganda

[joebranko]

This group performed last Sunday night ( May 5) in Midland Ontario. I was seated in the audience about 3 rows back in the middle of the row. I mention this because I had a difficult time getting heads out of my shots, without standing and without blocking whom ever was seated behind me.

[Stagecoach]

Joe,

It would be great if you could post these at a reasonable size, say 1600 to 1700 px wide so we could fully appreciate them.

[Shadowman]

Nice shots.

[joebranko]

Joe,

It would be great if you could post these at a reasonable size, say 1600 to 1700 px wide so we could fully appreciate them.

[DanK]

Nice captures. I would crop #3 and possibly #2 from the top.

It's interesting that you have essentially no noise in #3 but considerable noise in #2. I'm guessing that the exposure was lower in #2 and that processing therefore brought out noise. #1 is very noisy, which is consistent with the much higher ISO. However, my experience is that you can reduce that problem by exposing as far to the right as you can, losing dynamic range at the dark end rather than the light end. That way, you don't end up amplifying as much noise in processing.

That said, I find this hard to do in situations like this, particularly if lighting is variable. My Canon bodies do not allow exposure compensation with auto ISO, and situations like this are among the few in which I sometimes use auto-ISO.

[Manfred M]

Joe - some excellent images here under difficult shooting and lighting conditions.

I had similar working conditions a few weeks ago and instead of being three rows back, I was only blocked by a single row of heads (I was in the second row).

If you shoot an event like this again, you might want to consider sitting in an aisle seat (often there is a cleaner line of sight) or ideally sitting in the first or worst case, second row.

You might also look at doing a variety of different types of shots. When you are shooting a wide scene, chances of getting heads in is fairly hight, but if you work on getting something more closeup, you can often get a view that eliminates the heads.

Dan has already mentioned the noise. This tends to be more of a problem with underexposed, dark parts of the image. The first shot shows ISO 12,800 and the second two at ISO 1600. Unfortunately, I'm not all that familiar with Canon cameras so don't know the noise characteristics of the different models. Noise reduction in post and care to get good exposures all help here too.

Regardless, you have some images you should be happy with, regardess of the challenging shooting conditions.

[lovelife65]

These are really fantastic images!! Beautiful colors, subject and great emotion in all of them.

I have no critiques, you did a great job given the lighting and all that.
Thank you for posting, just love them!

[joebranko]

Joe,

It would be great if you could post these at a reasonable size, say 1600 to 1700 px wide so we could fully appreciate them.

Thanks Grahame. See if these are better.

[joebranko]

Thanks John

[joebranko]

Nice captures. I would crop #3 and possibly #2 from the top.

However, my experience is that you can reduce that problem by exposing as far to the right as you can, losing dynamic range at the dark end rather than the light end. That way, you don't end up amplifying as much noise in processing.

Thanks Dan. I must remember that for next time. Very helpful tip. I made the suggested crop at the top.

[joebranko]

Joe - some excellent images here under difficult shooting and lighting conditions.

If you shoot an event like this again, you might want to consider sitting in an aisle seat (often there is a cleaner line of sight) or ideally sitting in the first or worst case, second row.

Regardless, you have some images you should be happy with, regardess of the challenging shooting conditions.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Much appreciated.

[joebranko]

These are really fantastic images!! Beautiful colors, subject and great emotion in all of them.

I have no critiques, you did a great job given the lighting and all that.
Thank you for posting, just love them!

Thank you so much Sharon.

[lunarbo]

You have shown the joy and exuberance .

Yes possibly an unacceptable amount of noise but you have, as they say, captured the moment, so well done.

[Stagecoach]

A good series that has captured the spirit of the artists.

My favourite has to be No 3 and I suspect there's scope to bring out some of the shadows and increase the contrast and pop of the dancers.

[joebranko]

You have shown the joy and exuberance .

Yes possibly an unacceptable amount of noise but you have, as they say, captured the moment, so well done.

Thank you Barbara.

[Digital]

Joe, these are all nice images.



Bruce

[Jim A]

Firstly Joe, I have very much enjoyed looking at these pics, which is by far the most important thing I want to say. Much good comment has already been made about noise.

If you want to compete in a competition, then I would choose the one with the person(s), who have the billowing garments on the right. I would crop this out and leave the performers whose faces you can see clearly. Additionally I would crop down so that there is not so much headspace.

However, it is quite likely that you do not want to compete, so, in that case, I would ignore me completely!

As said I have enjoyed seeing a bit of their performance ......... plus they have obviously enjoyed their time too.

[joebranko]

Joe, these are all nice images.



Bruce

Thanks Bruce.