The Trucks - Live Music

[balikian]

I definitely want ya'll to pick apart this and the other I am posting. I'm hoping to learn how to improve photos. This one was taken in late afternoon in front of the stage. The lighting got better as the sun dropped down more. The one thing that I think throws me off is the angle of the keyboard. I tried straightening it out, but the player then was angled and that through me off more. Perhaps there was a good compromise somewhere in between.

Recommendations for the sunny side of her face? The shadow side? This was no flash, so maybe it would be good to use one? I don't like using flashes at live shows in general, but maybe that's more needing to learn how to use them and not shoot 50 shots blinding the audience.

I also bumped up the contrast a touch in PS. Thanks! This is my first photo to post for critiquing. thanks!

[grizely]

I think the crop is a little to tight on top. I would have backed it out a little more to get a full head shot.

Originally Posted by balikian

I definitely want ya'll to pick apart this and the other I am posting. I'm hoping to learn how to improve photos. This one was taken in late afternoon in front of the stage. The lighting got better as the sun dropped down more. The one thing that I think throws me off is the angle of the keyboard. I tried straightening it out, but the player then was angled and that through me off more. Perhaps there was a good compromise somewhere in between.

Recommendations for the sunny side of her face? The shadow side? This was no flash, so maybe it would be good to use one? I don't like using flashes at live shows in general, but maybe that's more needing to learn how to use them and not shoot 50 shots blinding the audience.

I also bumped up the contrast a touch in PS. Thanks! This is my first photo to post for critiquing. thanks!

[Nicole]

I agree with grizely. It's not the angle that bothers me, it's the fact that the top of her hair is cut off like that. I would've used a portrait orientation or backed off a little bit.

Depending on how far away from the stage you were, the flash probably wouldn't have done anything, but also, it could be distracting to the performer. The light and shadow can be fixed with a bit of post processing. You might want to try using a few layers to fix up the shadows. One method that's been discussed before is making a duplicate layer, desaturating it, inverting it, and then setting the blending mode to overlay and playing with the opacity. Should lighten up the shadows a bit.

[wulf]

To me it definitely looks like a shot calling out for portrait orientation. It is good to have a bit of context (eg. mic stand and keyboard) but most of the background is bland and boring. It looks too bright and sunny to be rock and roll...

If the original is large enough, you could still crop it down. I don't think missing the top of her head will be too much of a problem as long as the rest of the picture is cropped close. Last time I visited the National Portrait Gallery in London I was looking at the photographs and realised that the majority of them brought the subject so close that the crown of the head, etc, was frequently cropped; not a problem as long as the rest of the picture is bringing you up close.

Wulf