torin_olsen Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Hi all, I have a show coming up in January and am in need of some advice. I've been asked to be the visual media portion of an orchestral concert. (photos displayed at intermission) The photos are images I've taken over the past couple of years of this group featuring the musicians and their instruments both live in concert and during rehearsals. My quandary is that I have some great moments captured but I distinctly doubt I can blow up 13x19 prints (some crops!) of ISO800 images shot with my 20D and my 70-200 f/2.8 IS. The light at most concerts is uniformly bad... I'm also looking for unique impact... I want some traditional shots but also some that generate stronger reactions. I've thought of using some of the filters in PS, but definitely don't want to come off as too gimmicky... I'd appreciate any and all input! I've included a "typical" shot so you can see what I'm working with. Thanks! ~Torin<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Given your issues with noise (though I can't see it on my monitor in this pic), I'd look at http://www.niksoftware.com/viveza/usa/entry.php?utm_source=Web+Banner&utm_medium=Banner+Ad&utm_content=Viveza_Ad_&utm_campaign=PC+Photo+Skyscraper and see what you might do with B&W and color variations. It's very creative. They also have a 15 day demo. Have have to say it was very impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph_wisniewski Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 On the issue of "impact", it's very difficult to add to formal shots of musicians after the fact. As both a flutist and a photographer, I'd have liked that shot a lot better if you had my right hand in focus, even if that meant letting my left hand and face go out of focus... Aside from that, one of my favorite techniques is superimposing the musicians with outdoor textures: leaves, waterfalls, etc. Your flutist shot is already almost a "natural mask" already, and will superimpose wonderfully. May I play with it a little and upload an example? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger_smith4 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I'd play around with black and white- just light and shadow, which you have in abundance. For more "impact" I'd try shooting at unusual angles, experimenting with flash, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torin_olsen Posted October 19, 2008 Author Share Posted October 19, 2008 Thanks all for the replies so far! Michael, I'll take a look at the program and try it out... As to noise, the image is seriously downsized so it'll fit on the forum. Joseph, I'm actually a flutist as well (bachelors and masters in performance). My focus for this shoot was the individual musicians that make up the orchestra (hence the focal point). I do have a couple more concerts coming up before the show (with my new 50D!)... My goal with those shots is to be more instrument focused. I'd also love to see what you can do with the image! Upload away! Roger, I was definitely thinking B&W and sepia for a couple shots since the images' tonal range would fit. I do have some more unusual angle shots but I was going for "typical" here. No flash permitted unfortunately. That would certainly help with impact! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photomark Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Most people are used to seeing somewhat noisy, high contrast images from the days when these types of events were shot on 800-speed print film or fuji 320T slides (often pushed). I'v never worked with a 20D, but I suspect the images may compare favorably and surprise you at 13x19. People are always hammering these resolution numbers into our heads, but if you are careful you can get away with a lot. If not, rather than fighting the noise, you might try embracing it. Convert to black and white and add some grain--go for that old tri-x look. I would avoid the standard photoshop filters as people--you are right that it will come off as gimmicky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pam_r Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 <p>A couple of ideas. My Pbase galleries are down for some reason so I've uploaded to my account here at Photo.net. I hope that doesn't cause a problem:</p> <p><a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/8050234"><u>Monochrome version</u></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/8050273"><u>Something different</u></a></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevan_goddard Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 "I'm also looking for unique impact... " Shared ideas, by definition, would no longer be unique :o) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torin_olsen Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share Posted October 20, 2008 Mark, thanks for the suggestion. Add grain through the PS filter or is there another way of which I'm unaware? Up 'til now I've always been trying to get rid of it... =D Pam, I really like what you did with the "something different" processing. Exactly one of the kinds of interesting looks for which I was searching. How did you get that effect? Kevan, LOL! I understand exactly what you mean. I actually meant "unique impact" to be unique within the show... Not a blanket post processing of all images and not trying to steal someone's style. Mostly just looking for ideas and what's possible with my images. I've been very traditional in my processing technique until now and am trying to broaden my PS horizons. =D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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