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Bury Your Dead @ Webster Theater 2008.02.04

This is the Webster Theater in CT (not NYC!)
Gear: 20D and Tokina 12-24 f4 & Tamron 28-75 f2.8

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Some nice shots, but too much motion blur / softness in some IMO.

Also some blown channels, and the blues in #7 really need some work.

These were definately under exposed so I had to save them in RAW. Obviously the noise shows from all of this. Should I just try using flash with the Tokina 12-24 (since it's only f4 wide open)? The venue allows flash

I like some of the composition, but I do think it's a little too much motion blur. IMO motion blur works best when it's before or after the subject, but they're frozen so the body is actually still clear. I think part of the reason you've got the blur is probably that without the flash and at f4 you have to have such a slow shutter speed to capture anything. And as you said, they were still under-exposed. The color is off because of this too. Blue faces, etc. My suggestion would be to either try the flash (which can be difficult to do and actually get atmosphere, but is possible and can be awesome) or get the f1.8. I just got it and haven't tried it out yet, but a lot of people have recommended it. That'll allow you to raise your shutter speed and cut out some of the blur :) As I said, I do like the composition, particularly in #7, so you're definitely on your way. Just experiment with the flash if you can or work with your settings some.

Edit: I said "blue" a bunch of times that I meant "blur". Oops.

I shoot at The Webster quite a bit and it is a tough venue to shoot at. The monitors get in the way of most of the shots. If you use flash there, it would be best to get a cord to attach your flash to the camera so that you can hold the flash higher and to one side of the subject.

I want you to look at your images and try to forget that you took them.

Image #4... What do you truly find interesting, amazing, redeeming, or good about it? Not to be rough, but I've got to be honest - there is nothing about that photo worth keeping.

Image #1... A moment was caught! But was not caught with enough data. A little bit too much blur and wayyy too little light & color.
Now I understand this is probably a byproduct of the club lighting & no-flash rules.

What was your ISO set to? How high can you push it without trouble?

Could you have used a flash? Stop the flash down and compensate with ambient to let the shot take color.


Will Hawkins Photography, LLC. http://www.willhawkinsphotography.com  

Will, I really appreciate your honesty. I don't ever take comments too harsh as long as they're meant to be criticsm!!! Thank you and I'll look to improve next time!!!