I shot most of these with the 70-200 2.8. I used an electronic shutter so I wouldn’t disturb anyone with the constant clicking of the shutter. The shutter speeds were pretty slow (160-ish most of the time). I also played around a bit with some really slow shutter speeds and zooming in and out because I must keep myself entertained and the theme was something about space. They came out pretty well given the shots were entirely handheld. Modern technology is impressive.
There is a lot going on with lights in a show like this. Lots of changes. Lots of contrast. Lots of different colors. I have the camera on manual but with ISO on auto. I can usually deal with bright spots by using single point focus. The aperture is wide open so I’m only dealing with shutter speed. That worked here for the most part. You can see I resort to black and white or jacking up the colors when I’m not happy with what it looks like. I might try manual ISO in the future as I get more comfortable and free up the cognitive space to address more variables in the midst of things. Maybe I won’t bother. It is worth thinking about the progressive release of complexity today’s cameras allow.
When I edit a bunch of shots like this, I wonder if I have a particular style (because that’s the thing people stress with photographers and portfolios). I feel like I’m all over the place. Maybe because I’m shooting partially for coverage rather than art’s sake. Maybe because I shoot across a spectrum of photography genres (events, sports, street, etc.). I may also disagree with the premise. Something for me to keep wondering about anyway.1
This year I saw some vertical, rather than horizontal, banding from the lights. I haven’t seen that before. Not sure if it was something I did or something that changed with the lights. I’m just considering a feature.
While I was a bit sad that no one wore antlers this year, the drama and energy was still there.
I just really liked the texture of this image.
Nice mix of colors right before the main lights kicked in.
There’s the super slow shutter zoom effect.
Very late 1960s.
Beware the blue aliens.
I had to tell one of my kids who this performer was dressed like. The performer played “Here Comes the Sun” but apparently I haven’t shown them enough album covers.
1 But not in a way that induces paralysis. Question things but keep on moving.
What a great series of photos, but the last shot of your progeny, and who he’s dressed as, just warms my heart! Never stop posting photos!!!
Appreciate it Andy! But that last kid is not mine though I can understand why you might think so given how poorly I captioned it. No Woodwards were photographed in this process.
Haha! Well the shot still warms my heart, regardless of whose son he is.