Jazz Concert Photographs

[scorpius73]

I'm really trying to marry my two big interest. Jazz and photography. I would love some honest critiques of my recent photos from a Friday night show. I used a Contax G1 with mostly 28mm and 45mm lens. The film was Ilford Delta 3200 souped in Ilford DDX. I think there maybe one shot with Kodak Portra 800 (converted to B&W). Thanks.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31012019@N00/sets/72157610973767838/

 

[scorpius73]

So. either I'm really good or really bad. No one has said a thing. lol!

 

[bluelight]

I like the pictures and I now want to try Delta 3200...

 

[DwF]

I think these are good. In #1 and 3 it would be nice if you came round the front of stage a bit more. In the first one, that sign to the left is distracting and it would have been nice to capture that angle just a little closer to the front (not necessarily center) of the stage and pianist. But I like that you are in there with wide-angle lens!

Cheers,
David

 

[icebear]

Get closer ....

Get closer ....

Hi,

I also like Jazz and photography, so whenever I can get into a concert with my camera, I'll try. Mostly the light is acceptable at best and in locations where you have a seat, there no moving around.
The light at the concert you shot, seems to have been pretty decent. You captured what the lenses you used let you by the angle of view. These kind of shots are ok for documentary purpose. To show the whole set and who was playing. Way back in time before I got into rangefinders I used a Canon T90 with 1.2/85 and 2.8/200 and Delta 400 at 800. I shot some portraits that are pretty ok to me, still looking at them years later. I have no scans of my prints though. It depends on what you try to capture. I was more after the emotion on the face of the performers rather then showing that the played the piano. To include the latter it's sufficient to just have the edge of the instrument , not necessarily the whole thing. Keep it up and enjoy both 😉.

 

[Pherdinand]

Most i like the last in the series,the piano player. Would be nice to see a bigger version.

You like live jazz, you like low light photography. You must be a good guy, chuchito 🙂

 

[scorpius73]

I like the pictures and I now want to try Delta 3200...

I over exposed about 2/3 to 1 stop. I wanted some shadow detail. It's my first time using Ilford DDX but I really like it.

 

[scorpius73]

Thanks everyone. The comments are quite welcome. I shot most of the shots at or below 1/20 of a second (mostly 1/8 of a second). I figured that was just a tad slow for the 90mm f2.8 lens that I had. But, just like the rest of you. I will continue to try and get my camera in to a good show.

 

[Roger S]

I like these. I'm a big jazz fan and I've tried to photograph gigs myself, but in terms of image quality and exposure these are better than I've produced so far. The best is definitely the sax player and basisst with the singer (?) looking on - good dynamics.

How long do you develop for in DDX, and was that at 3200 ASA?

 

[scorpius73]

I like these. I'm a big jazz fan and I've tried to photograph gigs myself, but in terms of image quality and exposure these are better than I've produced so far. The best is definitely the sax player and basisst with the singer (?) looking on - good dynamics.

How long do you develop for in DDX, and was that at 3200 ASA?

Thank you.
The guy looking on is the pianist Chuchito Valdes. He got up to watch the saxaphonist. It was really a great show.
I develop in DDX for 9 1/2 minutes at 20 degrees Celsius. The film was over exposed by 2/3 to 1 stop.

 

[Roger S]

Thanks for that. I've got a few rolls of 3200 and a "new" Canon 50mm f1.2. Perhaps with that combo I could capture just about anything I can see. I'll post something if it works out OK.