I've been thinking about how to combat the use of red lights. Most major artists don't have this problem. The performers are usually lit with white lights, and colored lights are used as fill behind on the background. That provides us with very pleasing results. Smaller artists are the ones that often plague us with too much red. For artists who I can contact directly, I have started to send them JPG images showing them the effects of red lighting. Then I ask if they can work with their lighting techs to use white and/or yellow to spot the performers and colors only for background. There has been some success, but primarily with local or regional artists who I know personally or where I can get to them during stage setup while lighting is also being set up.
Have others pursued this with live performance artists they have photographed? What actions have you taken? What degree of success have you experienced?
Walter Rowe - Rowe Images
Professional Photographer
Columbia, Maryland - USA
Only success story I have
I had a small band at a smaller club in the area complaining about my flash between sets. The lead singer was all "Man, you're blinding us with that flash" (it was turned down -2 stops but I was blazing away in spots at 6.5 fps)
I replied "Try a different gel in your stage lights because that red ain't cutting it." I then showed them a couple shots where I didn't use the flash.
"I thought red was cool but now I see what you mean."
They came back to that club a few months later and were using no gels except to light the drummer.
That's only band I've been able to convert.
Jamie "Shooter" Taylor
TailWind Imaging
"Away you will go sailin/In a race among the ruins/If you plan to face tomorrow/Do it soon." -- Gordon Lightfoot
http://www.myspace.com/tailwindimaging
http://tradewindimaging.photoreflect.com
Buying My Own Gels
A couple of bands I have spoken to about changing light color say they don't own any gels and the lighting techs never bring extras. I am considering buying my own gels and taking them with me to shows. Then I know gels are available to make the change once I convince them to do it. Where do I get them? How much do they cost? The price might be worth it if it produces better photographs that I can then license.
Walter Rowe - Rowe Images
Professional Photographer
Columbia, Maryland - USA
Here's a quick few I found
http://www.sldlighting.com/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=10&cat=Color+Fil...
http://www.creativestagelighting.com/
http://www.prolightingsupplies.com/gel.htm?PHPSESSID=7b2ce8ddd2db65177a3...
Just let Google do the walking for you under Theatrical Lighting!
Jamie "Shooter" Taylor
TailWind Imaging
"Away you will go sailin/In a race among the ruins/If you plan to face tomorrow/Do it soon." -- Gordon Lightfoot
http://www.myspace.com/tailwindimaging
http://tradewindimaging.photoreflect.com
Light gels
Gels are also at musiciansfriend.com and guitarcenter.com. (considered DJ gear.) Search on keyword 'gel'.
Getting the can lights pointed in the right spots is another discussion!!!
What if a bar does not use can lights? A couple places I go to have recently installed these multi-colored programmable LED lights:
Small bars also might not even have a "lighting guy". Or even a sound tech who would do dual duty on lights. So either a band member or the venue manager will set up the lights. If that's the case, you'll have to come early to set up, scope things out (better if you do that on some night prior to your shoot), "make nice" with whoever is in charge of the lights, and ask a favor.... such as setting the lights the way I want for "just 3 songs". Getting a favor usually works *only* if the band has actually hired you, then they can ask on your behalf too.
Bribe the Lighting Director
It works for me! If it's not my home venue, I show up as soon as the doors open and immediately find out who is working the lights that night. I then find out from the bartender what their favorite beverage is. Next, I have the waitress bring them a drink (assuming they are allowed to drink on duty, and at pubs, most are as long as they don't over do it) along with my card. I give it a few minutes, then stroll over, introduce myself and ask for white spots for the first three songs and explain why. Unless they have explicit instructions from the band or tour manager they usually are happy to oblige. If they do, I send another drink over after my three songs are up.
Daniel Knighton
Pixel Perfect Images
(760)730-3224/(858)335-4540 cell
Carlsbad, CA
www.PixelPerfectImages.net
www.MySpace.com/PixelPerfectImages
that's pretty slick...
Great idea! I'm definitely going to try it. Hopefully, if it's a guy, they won't think I am trying to pick them up....lol
Or maybe they will!
.. and either way you hopefully get what you want.
Walter Rowe - Rowe Images
Professional Photographer
Columbia, Maryland - USA