Metalacker

In any stage / concert environment the place to start is up front and close to the performers.

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The personalities and expressions are vital to make an image interesting instead of flat. Depending upon the performer that can be difficult or straightforward. Here with Mitch Jules from SETYØURSAILS it doesn't get better, she's always on full throttle with a very dynamic personality, this shows throughout the performances.

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Getting your settings right before will save a lot of headaches later, so make sure your White Balance is in manual mode and set correctly, remembering that with LED lights there is a very narrow spectrum. So check your R, G & B channels separately as far as possible.

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With any photoshoot you always need a set of generic images to show what happened during the concert, but standardised images can all become a bit the same. Finding a different angle, lighting, timing is important and just needs observation.

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This shot was a long time coming after the initial idea came up. Towards the end of the performance the elements needed came together. The white guitar with the white lighting coincided with a solo in the right place on stage. With the planning in hand it was instinctive to grab the shot with a working pose.

Ensiferum is a favourite band of mine and Sami Hinkka on the bass guitar never fails to keep things alive on stage, you can't miss. Timing with getting someone else in the frame seemed like it would work - in stepped Petri Lindroos at the right moment.

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It is a pity the ends of the fingers are cut off but at the speed you have to work you do your best, in this case I could see the Bass Drum in the edge of the frame and placed that.

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Perhaps sometimes you might have time to respond if you're using a zoom lens but not often as zooms slow you down; I always work with Primes, for speed and reaction time. The image still works well.

SETYØURSAILS again and this time my web page format isn't helping, scroll to the gallery below to see the full width image.

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As mentioned above, sometimes you see the potential for a shot then hope the opportunity presents itself when you're in the right place to take advantage of it. The two smoke generators fired up at the right time, with the guitars exactly where I wanted them, (short of stood on their platforms).

SETYØURSAILS with a super-wide lens effect. Actually I wanted to get this shot but you can't carry all of your lenses as there isn't really enough space, but here a 24mm does the job with a little editing to exaggerate to a fish-eye effect.

ENSIFERUM's Pekka Montin is the keyboard player, he doubles up on the clear vocals brings a balance to "Pete" Lindroos who has the harsh vocals. This band is strong with every base covered.

ENSIFERUM - here's a generic stage shot with the three guitars.