Specific Oceans

[Claggy]

Hey all,

Back in September I got asked to do some promo photos for a band some of my friends are in. I'd never done promo photos for bands before, so it was a nice experience for me! Plus I got a free shirt from them, and will be getting a free EP when they're finished with that as well! =) Anyway, let me know what you think. Any tips for future shoots would be great also!

1/160 sec f/5 @ 10mm


1/250 sec f/5.6 @ 20mm


1/160 sec f/5.6 @ 20mm


1/400 sec f/5.6 @ 15mm


Nikon D50, Sigma 10-20mm, ISO 400 used for all four photos.

[OhSnapPhotos]

Well, I'll jump in here and say that each has their strong and weak points.

I like the pose/idea of #1. It shows some character. But I can only see 3 of the 4 members (I can see the 4th's feet!) and the guys inside are almost hidden due to the light difference between the inside and outside. At least it looks that way on the monitor I'm currently looking at.

#s 2 and 3 both look a bit stiff. Look at their hands. They're all either hanging straight down or clasped in front. Neither looks comfortable, although hanging may be natural.

I like that you can see everyone pretty clearly in #2, although the guys in the back are a little small. I'm assuming the guy in the jacket is the lead or something and therefore his place of prominence is deserved and it's okay if the others are a little smaller. I also like the arc they seem to form in the frame.

In #3 you've got a good triangle grouping with the 3 on the left, but the distance of the fourth from both the other members and the camera makes him seem like he doesn't belong.

Colors are good in both, with maybe the right side being a little dark for my liking, especially in #3 with the dark trees on that side too.

#4 is probably my favorite for showing some personality. I also really like the color treatment, although I think the vignette is too strong. The newer looking house in the background is a bit of a contrast to the more broken down look of the rest of the scene, but your angle is really good with a nice arc again being formed by the 3 members in the back, them all being a similar size/height in the frame with the lead (?) being slightly more forward. Notice, also, all the angles in their poses. Only the guy on the far right has his knees locked and looks a little uncomfortable, but their arms and hands are all forming angles or resting on something. Same with the head tilts in relation to the bodies. The only other nit-pik which I'm just seeing is that 3 of the 4 have mostly blue in their shirts and the 4th has on a green hoodie. I might have had him unzip it or see if they could have coordinated a little better.

Keep up the good work. What an awesome opportunity!

[Claggy]

Originally Posted by OhSnapPhotos

Well, I'll jump in here and say that each has their strong and weak points.

#1- You're right, I should have paid more attention to what the guys inside where doing. I know that during that part of the shoot I was only focusing on the person in the foreground and paying no attention to the guys in the house. As for the light, it is definitely darker in the room. It is light enough to see the figures on my monitor, but not really any detail. I did bring my flash, though I had my D50 as usual. I would love to upgrade to a camera that I can use my SB-600 wirelessly. My sister has a D80, which I would have taken for the shoot if she weren't in college, haha. I have work lights I could have brought... though I don't know how I'd get any power in that house. Hmm.

#2,3- Haha, yeah. I don't really know why, but they really seemed to like the hand collapsing thing. I definitely see some major stiffness in some of the guys. Not only am I new to band photos, but I'm still a newbie for any people photos. What do you think I should do in future 'people shoots' to keep them more relaxed-looking in the photos? I was pretty much just letting these guys do whatever they want.

#2- I was sort of in the mindset that I wanted to let everyone have their chance in the foreground of photos, since I feel that everyone takes part in the band and is just as important as the other. The one in the jacket is actually the bassist, haha. I should have switched them around for the same shots though. A lot to think about! Will definitely do more switching around with that next time. I did have Will (the guy in the jacket) in the front quite often in the photos that turned out the best now that I notice that.

#3- You're right there as well.. I should have brought him up to that empty one next to the left of where he is. Hmm.

#4- I agree about the vignette... I didn't realize how much I'd thrown on it compared to the others. I did notice this after awhile as well, once I saw it next to the other photos. Their poses are definitely best in that photo other than the guy on the right, yeah. I do see that difference in color, though I didn't realize all of their shirts had blue in them. (colorblind) The guy in the front did take off his jacket. Do you think it would have helped if he had kept it on for the color differences? Or do you think it would have been better for him to keep it off and the guy on the right have some sort of blue in his hoodie/shirt?

I really appreciate your reply, this helps a lot! =)

[OhSnapPhotos]

Originally Posted by Claggy

The guy in the front did take off his jacket. Do you think it would have helped if he had kept it on for the color differences? Or do you think it would have been better for him to keep it off and the guy on the right have some sort of blue in his hoodie/shirt?

I like the jacket being off. It gives a more casual look, which I imagine is what they/you were going for. It also breaks up the darkness of his pants/jacket and makes him not look like just a head floating over a sea of black.

As far as the guy in the green, it's probaby one of those things no one would notice until it was too late. I think if he'd had some blue it would have been better. Or if everyone had worn different colors.

But now it's something you can make a note of for next time and encourage folks to wear the same or complimentary colors. Even if you can't tell the difference between subtle shades, you can give them some examples of colors that work well together and/or will work best in the location(s) you have in mind.

Having a similar clothing/accessory style also helps, in my opinion, which I guess is why I like the guy without his jacket on better. The location can also make a difference in what styles you recommend depending on what you're going for.

[Claggy]

Originally Posted by OhSnapPhotos

I like the jacket being off. It gives a more casual look, which I imagine is what they/you were going for. It also breaks up the darkness of his pants/jacket and makes him not look like just a head floating over a sea of black.

As far as the guy in the green, it's probaby one of those things no one would notice until it was too late. I think if he'd had some blue it would have been better. Or if everyone had worn different colors.

But now it's something you can make a note of for next time and encourage folks to wear the same or complimentary colors. Even if you can't tell the difference between subtle shades, you can give them some examples of colors that work well together and/or will work best in the location(s) you have in mind.

Having a similar clothing/accessory style also helps, in my opinion, which I guess is why I like the guy without his jacket on better. The location can also make a difference in what styles you recommend depending on what you're going for.

Good point. I should probably avoid shooting people wearing extremely contrasty colored clothes away..unless I'm at a wedding. =P

Looks like I need to learn what colors work well together then. XD For that shoot... we didn't really plan anything. They didn't even know where they wanted to go when we got there, and I had no places in mind. Didn't take them long to think of this one though, thankfully.

Thanks again!

[PowerPix]

Hmmm, wonder who the lead singer is!!!!! Haha.

One thing I notice in all the photos is that they are focused on one person and all the people in the back are wayyyyyy out there. Maybe make them more of a "group" next time instead of so spread out. In the first photo the frontman's foot is chopped off.

[Claggy]

Originally Posted by PowerPix

Hmmm, wonder who the lead singer is!!!!! Haha.

One thing I notice in all the photos is that they are focused on one person and all the people in the back are wayyyyyy out there. Maybe make them more of a "group" next time instead of so spread out. In the first photo the frontman's foot is chopped off.

Haha... probably not who you think it is. >_<

I actually do have some group photos, though I didn't really like how they turned out so much. A different place for more group type photos would have helped, haha. The foot chop off is definitely something that bothers me... I avoided chopped off feet as much as I could with those shots. The brick that they're standing on doesn't last long, and I was standing at the edge of it. I was wanting to get the whole doorway in the frame as well, haha. But yeah, I do definitely agree about the need for some more 'group' type photos. I need more practice on those, for sure. Thanks!