These are good - interesting, difficult lighting and really suited to B&W. Every shot stands on its own and makes a real statement - what's to criticise?
FWIW this is what I love about this forum - not overpopulated, no inflated egos and a medium that we all enjoy experimenting with. I enjoy being part of a circle of friends who gently tease and always make constructive comments.
Thanks, Peter. Yeah, the lighting is tricky at this place. Whenever I shoot here, I know I'm going to be doing a fair amount of PP to make the images presentable. That said, it's one of the best places in Nashville for shooting live music. I went to a place across the street...great band, terrible light. I don't think I got anything worth salvaging.
I've never had, or maybe I've never made, the opportunity to shoot a live band, Geoff. But it doesn't mean I can't have an opinion on what I see. And I'm an expert on my opinion!
I like what I see!
Reason being, I get a feel for a smallish nightclub with a laid-back vibe. The black and white with the grain/high noise is effective here.
My favorite shot is the second one. I like the motion in the hand and close-up compostion.
The first one is cool, too, as it includes the whole band and shows us the tight environment.
-Tim
Thanks, Tim. Hey, if you ever came to Nashville, you'd have plenty of of photo ops with bands. On lower Broadway, the bars open in the morning, and many have bands playing as early as 10am. Music all day/night.
This club, Robert's Western World, is an interesting place. Lots of artwork...stuff all over the walls. They sell western boots and other clothing. It's a very long building, but very narrow, so people get squeezed together pretty good on a busy nite. The place was featured in a VISA commercial a few years back.
I really enjoy shooting live music, probably because I'm a musician myself, and I just like the environment. But it's a real challenge. You're at the mercy of lighting, crowd size, and other things that you have no control over. I could use some faster glass, too! Glad you like the pics...here's a couple more.
I'm digging the additional top shot you've posted. That's an interesting looking character sitting close to the stage.
I believe I could spend a considerable amount of time in this place!
What instrument do you play, Geoff? Do you play in a band full time, or do you mainly play weekend gigs and events?
-Tim
Tim, that fellow sitting there is taking a breather. He and his wife were dancing up a storm. When they first arrived, he danced a bunch of moves by himself and the dance floor cleared. Everyone was cheering him. There are always characters in these bars...never a dull moment
I'm a guitarist. Love blues, R&B. I'm in awe of the country pickers, but I don't aspire to be among them. In my previous life I was a classically trained trumpet player. Fell in love w/ the guitar in college. Thinking about picking up a horn again, but this time around it would be strictly jazz and improv stuff.
Believe it or not, Nashville is probably the worst place for a gigging musician...at least if they're looking to make any $$$. There are so many bands, that clubs don't pay them, or pay very little. Bands like the one in these pics...play for whatever goes in the tip jar. And they were fantastic. A few places have house bands that make good $$, but for the most part...these bands are just happy to get on a stage and be heard. I made more $$ playing bars back home in upstate NY than I could here.
I get together w/ friends, and I sometimes go to jam sessions at different clubs around town. Anything more than that just isn't worth the hassle for me. And to be honest...since I got into photography 2 yrs. ago, it's put a dent in my music time. Not sure how I feel about that, but I reckon it's all good
Nice work Geoff! I really like number 2, but they're all good.
BTW, I know what you mean about photography and music time. There's a guitar sitting on a stand right behind me now, but it doesn't spend as much time in my hands as I'd like. It's all creative stuff though, right? As long as we don't stop doing SOMETHING creative it's all good.
Good shots, Geoff.I like the last one with the guitarist way over in the boot section. Makes me want to head downtown right now. For anyone visiting I always recommend Roberts. The bands there are almost always extremely good by any standard you care to suggest. Seriously. World class.
I was in there a couple of weeks ago and the band's bass player came through the crowd with a tip bucket. Especially good band. I bet most people there did not know he was Johnny Cash's bass player for eight years until Cash passed.
