A Slightly Different Focus

This past week, I got a chance to visit a MagTard practice session — specifically such that I could take some photographs of the band at work.

It was in the Zook’s “band room,” and usually for a practice, the front curtains were open. That was at my request, such that with a fast lens and the available light, I could skip a flash. Even still, I was pushing it; thanks, Nikon, for the D3′s abilities.

None of these are named — just numbered (exciting), but I’d like to highlight a few:

Justin is concentrating on a keyboard setting, with Chris in the background. The focus and colors here are spot-on. Great shot.

However, most of the photographs “felt” better in black-and-white. The was a significant color shift from the windows to the overhead light, which can be clearly seen in the above shot; black-and-white not only evened that out, it lent a more “gritty” feel to this work session.

Here’s another mic shot (back in color, obviously), going for the gritty-sax in an almost abstract way:

Love the sliver of fingers, and hint of photographer in the reflections.

It was interesting to work with the music swirling around me as I moved to concentrate on a player or instrument. (Alas, I got in the way a few times — sorry.)

Indeed, it’s not a big space, so even though I was using a 50mm (full-frame — no camera magnification or crop), I couldn’t get back far enough to get more than a couple of shots of all of them together. I’m okay with that though; this one’s a winner:

Due to the short depth-of-field necessary for the available light, the guys in the foreground wind up leading your eye straight back to Vinnie. But their passion is evident. Nice.

See all 28 photographs in the MagTard Practice gallery. Enjoy.

I’m finishing up a book project over the next few days, but hope to get to that snapshots post soon. Then into a new project that’s going to mean some changes around here. Looking forward to it; hope you are, too.