My 1st festival attempt

By jellybean written 7/9/06 9:47 AM, published 7/9/06 9:47 AM
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Okay, last night I attempted to photograph a bluegrass festival, the Uncle Dave Macon Days event.  This is the national clogging, banjo, and fiddle competition.  I will be submitting the photos I took to the event organizers at their request.  This is the first time I've tried to photograph a stage at night.  So I need feedback please.  I tried to use a variety of settings:  night, night landscape, night portrait, auto, and backlight.  I ended up throwing out about 1/2 the photos because they didn't turn out.  I am pretty sure the problem was that I didn't use a tripod, but I was running around backstage (it was crowded) and crawling up front, right in front of the stage.  So please comment, give suggestions, advice, whatever.
Thanks

Popup Linknarrowed world
This guy was concentrating SO hard on the music I think he had no idea all those people were around him.  I wanted the focus to be on him so I blurred the edges.  Too much?

Popup LinkOld time porch playing  
This event was held at a reconstructed pioneer village.  So there were people on porches everywhere.

Popup LinkSinging old songs
In addition to the playing, there was a lot of singing going on.

Popup LinkBackstage lights
This starts my night shooting.  

Popup Linkropes of lights

Popup LinkBanjo pickin'

Popup LinkYoung competitor

Popup LinkFlyin' fingers playing


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  • KayN 7/9/06 10:34 AM
    Flyin' fingers would be good w/out the redeye.... The first three shots are too small for me to really see good....I think the first one looks ok, but I'm not really sure. I can see the blurring, but I can't tell if the focal point is in focus or not.... I think I'd take the tripod next time.......good luck on your submissions.....let us know how you do!

    - Ms.N


  • jellybean 7/9/06 11:04 AM
    grrr....I couldn't see the red eye on my computer. I fixed it. blurred edges bigger singing bigger I tried getting the photos a different way off my computer with the first few, didn't realize they would be so small.

  • KayN 7/9/06 11:12 AM
    I do like the blurred edges, but, it still needs something.....don't know if it needs a tighter crop on the focal point or what, but IMHO I feel like something else could be done to really make this shot superb...... Somebody help me.......

    - Ms.N


  • tbell 7/9/06 11:41 AM
    I liked flying fingers best. You caught him at a good moment. I think I might have cropped singing even tighter.

    - petercallesen.com


  • jellybean 7/9/06 12:05 PM
    maybe a frame around blurred edges??

  • LaPineian 7/9/06 7:53 PM
    I am so not experienced enough to give advice. I just wondered if there was a way to fade or darken or shade around blurred edges. I really like the shot. & Where did they get so many cute banjo players! Cuties!

  • Mike H 7/9/06 8:05 PM
    like your post; it's retro style takes me to a simpler time. By the way this "Brooklyn Boy" likes Bluegrass

  • Jump1ok 7/9/06 9:01 PM
    looks like fun

    - Misunderstood


  • bugaboo 7/10/06 2:01 AM
    Narrowed world and fingers flying are my favorites and something about Old time porch appeals to me, maybe crop out the dark doorway and a little on the left. Looks like a great time.

  • MudMistress 7/10/06 9:53 AM
    I like them all... can't offer any assistance, but agree that a tripod may have helped a few shots. And yes, that flying fingers sure is handsome!!

    - Always Watching You...


  • Lidljo 7/12/06 11:21 AM
    Good shots of the musicians.

    - Flowers are happiness...


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