by successfulbob | commercial photography, fine art musician portrait, Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, musician photography, people photography, photography
One of the jobs I really enjoy involves taking the art techniques I’ve been developing and using them for my commercial clients. These have been created for the Sound Bites Grill Wall of Fame. Musicians are photographed live during their performances and then I create 8×10’s for display at the restaurant. It’s an increasing challenge (which I love!) to have a slightly different look for each artist. Here are a drummer, guitarist and keyboard player as part of the latest installment…
Jazz Guitarist, composer and Recording Engineer Peter Sprague of Road Work Ahead
at Sound Bites Grill Show Lounge
Road Work Ahead Keyboard Player, composer and arranger Bill Mays jams
at the Sound Bites Grill Jazz Fest Jam in Sedona
Jim Plank, drummer and percussionist for Road Work Ahead plays on the
Sound Bites Show Lounge stage at the Jazz Jam in March.
Images were captured with the Panasonic Lumix GX7 using the 35-100 (70-200 35mm equivalent) 2.8 lens ISO 2500. This is a great combo for getting intimate images without getting too close to the stage. For some of the captures in the future I might bump the ISO up another notch to get just a bit more shutter speed when the performers are moving.
One of the most important parts of my job is to not be obtrusive when capturing performers. I am very conscious of the guests and not disturbing their enjoyment at performances. The GX7 and lens combo is small and helps me remain low key but strangely enough looks pro enough to get inquiries all the time about what type of camera I’m working with.
After the show images are downloaded. Musicians are separated from the background using Adobe Photoshop’s various selection techniques and placed on their own layer. At that point I can start the art part… Adding shadows, textures, blending modes and lighting effects that were not on the stage.
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | Lumix GH3, Lumix Lounge, people photography, photography, photography education, photography gear
Cobblers children go without shoes. Painters houses show peeling paint. You’ve seen the expressions in writing for the professionals not taking care of their own business because they are so busy taking care of others.
Don’t let your own personal look be the victim of this…
Make the commitment to get your head shot updated. When people see your head shot and wonder who the photo is of you gotta know it’s time for a new one. Here’s the way I remade mine. Ideally you might grab a photographer friend and shoot each others photo but when you are hanging out with a little time it’s time to work your own. While I did it I practiced with a lot of the new technology that’s available in the Lumix GH3. Learned some stuff along the way…
I used the facial recognition feature to make sure the photo was in focus. If you have tried to self portraits without this it can be very frustrating. I am pleased to say whether I moved forward, back or to the side during the shoot the focus was dead-nuts on!
Bob Coates head shot
Used the WiFi capabilities of the GH3 with my IPhone to fire the camera remotely. It’s pretty cool. You can see what the camera sees on the phone. The only problem with that part is when you try to pose and change position it’s like looking in a double mirror. There’s a tendency to move exactly opposite form what you think you are doing. After you get used to it it’s not too much of a problem. Obviously when it’s not you on the phone screen it’s pretty easy.
Why else would you want to use the WiFi connection? Transferring images to the web. Controlling your camera from a distance but still being able to see what the camera sees. Like not disturbing wildlife like birds or a watering hole where animals come to visit. I’m sure you can come up with many more…
Where’s your new head shot? Send me a link!
Yours in Photography, Bob
by successfulbob | people photography, photography
Media room time at the Sedona International Film Festival saw Randy Murray in the hot seat fielding questions about his movie the ‘The Joe Show’ about Arizona’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
From the Media Room at the Sedona International Film Festival Randy Murray shares stories
and thoughts about his movie ‘The Joe Show’.
Murray in a more serious moment explaining that if you like Joe Arpaio you will like the first half of the movie and if you don’t you’ll tend to like the second half of the film showing there are two sides to this story told in ‘The Joe Show’
by successfulbob | event, people photography, photography
If day two had a great theme and hero it would be Ed Asner winner of Golden Globe and Emmy Awards. He was invited to help introduce the movie ‘The Letters’ at Sedona’s Performing Arts Center during the Sedona International Film Festival. Asner was extremely funny and carried his visit over to the party held at the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa. So I’ll dedicate this page to Ed!
Ed with Mary Fisher in the Green Room waiting to hit the stage for the intro.
SIFF volunteer Marin giving Ed a hand on stage and they are having a good time getting there!
Asner regaling the audience with stories while warming up for the intro to the movie. Long time Asner friend Patrick Schweiss, President and Executive Director of the SIFF share the stage at SPAC.
SIFF board member Linda Goldenstein of Goldenstein Gallery greets Ed as he joins the party in full swing at Sedona Rouge Hotel.
Ed Asner – life of the party holding court and visiting with all the guests.
by successfulbob | Lumix GX7, Lumix Lounge, people photography, photography
When I was in Florida teaching my classes for Lumix I ran across this gentleman and asked if I might make his image. He agreed. I used the Lumix GX7 because that’s the camera I have with me almost all the time when I’m out and about.
This turned into a little test because I wanted to see how the photo would look from the back-lit position I was in. What is the mood of the image with some small changes? I liked it but thought I wanted to see what the same subject would look like from a slightly different angle. The point is you can change the feeling of a portrait just by changing the persons position to the light, add a little direction for expression or hand position or any number of other simple changes by thinking about the final image. Here is a before and after…
Original capture of gentleman with cigar in the tropics.
Different angle. Different expression. Different lighting. Better? Not necessarily, but different for sure.
Please when making images in public ask for permission to create the photo. Even more important make sure you have permission to show the image online in a public place. Case in point I asked if it was OK to share theses images and lesson with you and he said it was OK but leave off his name.
On another note, make sure if you tell someone you are going to send them images from your shoot that you do so. When in Paris I told a couple artists at Monte Marte that I would send them an image. I received replies upon sending their images that 1000’s of people promised to send them photos but I was the first one to actually do so… Keep a good reputation for yourself and photographers who follow in your footsteps.
Let me know which portrait you prefer by leaving a comment on this post.
Yours in photography, Bob
