Band Shot

[raw-edge]

I'm hoping for some critique of this shot of my friends band



Was shot on a D80 with some tweaking done in iPhoto

[wulf]

What kind of band are they and what will the photo be used for? This shot looks like a bunch of blokes skulking outside a pub where a reception is being held after a funeral.

Whatever the specifics, I think the subjects get lost against the background - unless the rather rundown looking setting is important, could you get much closer in?

Wulf

[xysmas]

Originally Posted by wulf

What kind of band are they and what will the photo be used for? This shot looks like a bunch of blokes skulking outside a pub where a reception is being held after a funeral.

Whatever the specifics, I think the subjects get lost against the background - unless the rather rundown looking setting is important, could you get much closer in?

Wulf

I totally agree - The high contrast background kills the attention on the band itself. Unless this is necessary I would shoot much tighter here or move to a new location.

[Farkled]

I have to agree with the other comments. If the people are the subject then present them and not the background. Secondly and IMO, you need to expose the faces properly.

[necktru]

Acording with the other coments, I think you must to fill the frame with the band, if you do that, the background doesn't matter.

I'm a musician too, and I sugest that if you gonna take fun photos of the band, may be can add a guitar or bass, not in playin position, may be in the back, o in a hand (like carryin on stage), or stand over the floor. maybe a drumsticks will se interesting in drummer , or in his pockets.

For the other side, If you wanna take promo photos or serious pictures without instruments, try to get some serious pose of them, interesting angles, and some of them sitting, other standup, against the wall, etc.


Pd. sorry my english, I hope you understand the idea.

[wulf]

It looks like we're all being a bit negative! Don't let us put you off raw-edge - just trying to help!

How large is the original image? If it is much bigger than shown here then you may find that you can get an improved picture out by cropping down closer to the band.

Wulf

[ELAY]

I thought the posing was good, and that the band gave off the requisite vibe of cool insouciance.

I wondered if a different approach to conversion might create some contrast between the dark clothes and the wood behind them.

EL

[raw-edge]

Thanks for the feedback

I think you are right about the space around them and will crop the photo to get a tighter version, i've also done some individual poses of the band as well

The doorway setting was used as it's next to the pub they were playing in and the shoot was done fairly quickly before they went to on stage, the bands name is The Vigours and they are going for the sort of cool, black and white, mod look as part of their "thing"

[wulf]

This group?

One thing that might have been quite cool for the setting would have been to reframe so that the door way was on one side or the other and then, one by one, get different band members to step forward until they were large enough to fill the other half of the frame. You would then have a series of portraits with the rest of the band (and a hint of grotty London pub) out of focus in the background.

Wulf