Xmas Bash (Part 1)

[Alpha_7]

Well last week Katie got to photography the Kelly Clarkson / Rouge Traders concert, last night I brough my camera along to CitiGroup's Xmas Party. In the Sydney Fiance industry, this is the one Xmas party you want to get invited too, last night's entertainment included Jimmy Barnes so I happily took the plunge into my first live band / concert style shoot. Considering it was my first go, and I'd had a few too many vodaks before hand I was happy with the result, as I was using it as a learning experience I shot in jpg just so I could keep shooting all night and not worry about running out of memory. Here are some of the shots from last night.

Please fire away with the feedback, as this was my first time I was very keen to know of any tips, secrets, advice whatever... I thought I would have trouble using the kit lens and the 70-300G but I was surprise by the quality of some of the shots.

[gstark]

I'd had a few too many vodaks

Is that the new liquid filum that you can shoot with?

Some good work there, Craig. Just keep doing what you're doing.

[Alpha_7]

Here are a few more.....

[wendellt]

Craig

this is your best set of work, i think you have found your groove, but as Gary said keep on doing what you do

the confetti shot is awesome!

looks like city group treat their employees well!

[MHD]

Agree entirely... not meaning to be harsh but the band photography has IMHO (lets cat out) been the weakest "area" of photog here so far.... this has raised the bar somewhat...

The confetti shot is awesome as is the fret shot,,,,,

Very nice work... go enter them in a few comps (try http://www.potd.com.au no money but a quick way to get a quick publication)

[rokkstar]

Craig mate, have to echo what has been said here. This is the best set of shots I have seen posted from you. Perhaps you need to start going to gigs nightly (what a tough job) and geting your work in whatever the equivilant of NME or Q is over here.

Top shots.

[Potatis]

Very well done, Craig. Very interesting that they were shot as jpgs, the result is fine. All of the photos are very good.

[stubbsy]

Craig

I wish to add to the plaudits here. You've captured the feel of the event really well. The biggest challenges with events like this is the speed at which people move and the lighting. You've conquered both. For me the standout is the confetti shot (I'm guessing you had that figured by now anyway). Other excellent ones from this quality bunch are the fret shot, and the wider shot of the guitarist just above it as well as the very last shot of Jimmy. Well done.

[drifter]

Love these two shots .Great work . The guitar shot is very cool and the last shot looks like it was shot RAW and cooled down for effect .

[Alpha_7]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback, I honestly wasn't expecting this kind of response. Especially with the confetti shot which I threw in there at a whim. But thanks everyone I though I'd share a few more... I tried using the onboard flash for some of the shots and found it took a lot way from the atmosphere but did help make some shots a lot sharper. Is it common practice to not use the flash for concert / band photography and shoot with just the available light ?