I’ve started reading Ansel Adams’ three book series on photography, The Camera, The Negative, The Print for an upcoming project. In it he talks about learning to pre-visualize and image. Until I read it I never realized that was what I do every time I pick up the camera. I almost always know what I want an image to look like before I click the shutter. This shot of The Blue Tail Flies for their upcoming album was no different. You can find the Flies HERE
I knew I wanted to shoot them in a bar. I knew how I wanted to light it. We secured an hour before opening at the Hole In The Wall Gang Bar in Santa Cruz a couple weeks before the shoot. I scouted it out and when I saw the long bar on the longest side of the building and plenty of open space to set up my lights I knew exactly how this image would look, down to how I would pose each band member. That part was easy. Pulling this shot off in less than an hour (This was the third frame) was something I am very proud of.
It was a 4 light set up. Two at 45′s up high to each side of me, one snooted behind me, one behind one of the band members to light up our bartender. I didn’t keep notes on power ratios, sorry.
I’m currently building (slowly) a portfolio of work with performers, so I was stoked for the opportunity and I love hanging out with these guys (and girls).
I first heard the Flies when my wife suggested we hire them to play our wedding. They even learned “our” song and played it at our wedding.
You can here it here (http://youtu.be/CCObON5sJzU)
If you are an artist looking for headshots, or a band in need of images for your site or album, including concert images get in touch, (831) 345-3673
