Rock band shoot - too dark?

[imbeni84]

I have been photographing some friends of mine who are in a band for about seven months. This shot was taken at their recent EP release. I like it, but am wondering if it is too dark? Any thoughts/suggestions/advice?

EXIF info:
Shutter speed: 1/30
Aperture: f/3.5
ISO; 800
Focal length: 18mm
Flash: auto
Metering mode: Pattern
White Balance: auto
Scene: Portrait

[zona5101]

I don't think it's too dark. There are several technical problems with it...that might detract from it as a "normal" group portrait but most band shots "break the rules" as it visually demonstrates how they & their music are non-conformists.

[imbeni84]

Could you be more specific about the technical problems with it? It was actually a shot of the crowd not the band, so it wasn't supposed to be a "normal" group portrait - I was trying to capture the crowd getting into the music.

[andsome]

I wouldn't say it was too dark. The people are all exposed correctly, it is the background that is dark.

[graciousness]

I don't think it's too dark, either. The issue that I see is that your shutter speed was too slow that the whole image is blurry from camera or hand shake. Nothing in the photo is in focus.

In scenes like this, I would have opted for higher ISO use so that my shutter speed is faster (at least 1/60) so that I can have motion frozen and sharp and still have movement from the people. 1/30 would have been ok, but you would have needed your camera and you to be very, very still to get everything in focus. ISO of 1600 would introduce noise in the images, of course, but I would prefer sharpness and will compensate noise to get the shot.

Your aperture is very low, too, understandably to get more exposure to this shot but I think it's too low. You have 4 people in this shot and I would have aimed for at least f/4.0 (again, the higher ISO will compensate for the loss of f/stop).

Aesthetically, the image doesn't really grab me. I think if you wanted to capture the mood of the night, I would have shot a whole row of fans watching, rather than just 4 of them. Sure you can see that they are enjoying the show, but I don't see the show and I only see 4 girls dancing. They could be at a party for all I know. Even if you just focused on one fan, I would have done a side shot rather than front shot. The light from the 'stage' woudl have been more dramatic on their face taken at profile side. A whole row of audience profile side would have been energetic. I would get more intimate with fans in scenes like this, or include more of the scene (with stage) so that you can really see and sense the energy of the gig.

Anyhoo, hope I've helped. It's a nice attempt with this photo, really, and you will improve more as you keep doing it. Remember to follow the light, see where the light is shining on people, get inspired from that. I think that' s the best advice I can give you, really.

Cheers,

Grace

[zona5101]

what Grace said ^^
The up angle is unflattering, direct flash is harsh and produces specular highlights, the color balance is off...