Concert Lights, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

The conference I attended last November ended up with a big party concert at the Cow Palace featuring three big name artists namely; Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz, and Stevie Nicks/Mick Fleetwood.... it was one hell of a party I'll never forget. One thing I regret though is that I only brought with me my old Kodak pocket camera during the concert because my good one was too bulky to go partying ... thus, the quality of my shots were highly compromised.

This photo was taken during Billy Joel's session. Just like all of us, he has aged since he hit the world stage. I've posted two photos of him in the workshop for those who love his music and want to see how he looks today.

japiey, gunbud, dip, danielswalsh, saylan-cb, Matthew-Watt, ChrisJ, edytungkal, ifanik, siolaw, jhm, danos, zhelach, Photo65Net, Tue, MLINES, robertosalguero, Charo, Benedict, ALIRIZA, jaywalker, crckt, salvator heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

japiey (10163) 2008-02-04 11:38

Hi Renier,

The real guide in life is LIGHT...
A heavenly blessing in the form of light pours down on the musician...
Musical play of lights are well caught, and the slight blurr feel adds the motion, the ups and downs of musical notes..
Good choice in B/W, and that feels the colours ...

All the best.

jean paul

jackart (6702) 2008-02-04 11:51

Helo Renier!

It was great concert. Interesting shot with amazing ray of lights. I like the movementof this capture, anyway sharpness could be better.

Regards
jacek

gunbud (34066) 2008-02-04 11:58

Hi Renier,
Wonderful effect created by the differing layers of light streaming down on your performer. The accompanying musicians in the background and the b&w treatment give this one a nice dreamy feel. "Don't You Go Changing."
Regards, Tom

dip (21408) 2008-02-04 12:14

Hi Renier,
great lights/shadows contrast and effects,
very well framed and composed!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

mesutilgim (0) 2008-02-04 12:50

Hi Renier,
Wondefull b&w work ! Very good pov and super effect with the light beams !
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

markogts (1130) 2008-02-04 12:52

This is for those thinking that good photographers need good equipment: this shot is fantastic. You managed to turn the weaknesses of the camera in your favour making them appear as a feature of the camera. Is the player blurred? Who cares, he is moving, this motion blur hides the possible unsharpness of the lens and at the same time gives an impression of "liveliness". And the light beams, oh man! They are great! YOu could think of it as missing dynamic range, but it makes the beam to stand out so strongly! The choice of B&W is perfect (and, note, I usually don't like B&W). Great work.

danielswalsh (13597) 2008-02-04 15:27

Hi Renier;

Sounds like it would have been an incredible concert. The Police played here in Singapore last night, sadly I was unable to make it...
As you pointed out already, the wuality here suffered greatly by not having your main camera. The 'levels' look to be okay, but the image is blurry and you cropped too tightly to Billy's feet- you should have left much more room.
Not meaning to blow my own horn, but maybe this series might give you some ideas/ suggestions.

Kind Regards,
- Dan

jplebrun (21208) 2008-02-04 15:53

Hi Renier
belle composition, on entend presque le piano jouer belle atmosphère
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

UnTrained (0) 2008-02-04 23:02

Hi Renier,
the spotlights do the most here and therefore well done. The names with that light impression lead to the imagination of a concert which could be great. I like this because it does not show a special artist (even it is one) but more an artist on stage.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

Graal (103040) 2008-02-04 23:31

Hi Renier,
an interesting reportage in B&W, fine effect od light rays, good vertical format. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

saylan-cb (12738) 2008-02-05 0:38

Hi Renier
Very nice shot...
Wonderful effect and light...
Excellent B&W work...
TFS/Regards

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2008-02-05 0:55

Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, were all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feeling alright

Brilliant capture, it is unmistakably M. Joel. I love the black and white format and the dramatic blur. The selective lighting was well maintained. If anything, the blur seems to emphasize the feeling of being at this concert and offers a true crowd perspective that is not felt in a 'perfect' tripod capture. I think there is a lot more feeling and life to this photo in this way! Well done, what an incredible event, you are so lucky. My favorite 3 songs of his are We didn't start the fire, Piano Man, and Still Rock n Roll to Me. Hope you heard these! Well done Renier!

Matt

edytungkal (4551) 2008-02-05 1:01

Hello Renier,
The rays of light really fascinated since look on the thumbnails shot and indeed after opened. It sounds like an interesting concert of Billy Joel, thanks friend for that shots.

daniel

ChrisJ (171852) 2008-02-05 1:02

Hi Renier

I like the v shape, formed by the dual spotlights. Still a good result, despite the low tech camera. Good contrast & tonal range. Tfs!

ifanik (21679) 2008-02-05 1:07

Hi Renie
Very beautiful photo
Nice POV and i like the b/w
Very well done
Best regards
Nick

siolaw (38294) 2008-02-05 1:14

Hi Renier,
Forget the quality of this one! It talks to me anyway as my last work(long ago!) was light technician in concerts... touring the world, setting up stage lights!
I like the way the two beams of the follow-spot converge down to the pianist... B&W have reduced the flaws due to the cheap camera. The framing is excellent... could be a bit sharper, but i think you've done your best to present this shot in a satisfactory way
Greetings from Bangkok
Laurent

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2008-02-05 1:52

Hi Renier.

The light..the light is the key in my picture. It's a pity you couldn't take the picture with a tripod but the light management is lovely!

Rgs, Oscar

mursaloglu (8682) 2008-02-05 3:37

Dear Renier
Bravo a great BW picture with the hues in a great graphical lines toward the singer below. I didnt see a this like great concert picture since many times. My compliments ihsan

jhm (211736) 2008-02-05 3:48

Hello Renier,

The light beams in cone form are very spectacular.
I find both WS very well, excellent portrait of Billy Joel, certainly those in colour.
Maybe would a colour picture are very nice!
Thanks for sharing.

Best regards,
John.

danos (110407) 2008-02-05 4:54

Hello Renier,
nice shot with superb captures of the spot light to floodlight theν pianist.It's a difficult shot that have taken under difficult lighting conditions.I like the B/W format.Informative yoyr note.

Regards,Danos

jurek1951 (42198) 2008-02-05 7:24

Hi Renier,
Very nice capture. Beautiful lighting and b&w tones of the picture.
Georg

zhelach (3626) 2008-02-05 10:14

Hello Renier!
Beautiful B&W photo! Good composition and lights! Great music!
TFS, Best regards, Zorica

Photo65Net (43144) 2008-02-05 10:21

Renier,
Amazing mood in this image !
The blur works so perfectly with the show, I like a lot too your BW job.
Regards,
JB.

Tue (92402) 2008-02-05 11:37

Hi Renier,
A very good impression of the concert. The light is beautiful and enhanced by your choice for B&W. I also like the blur of the musicians, it adds motion. Good vertical composition.
Regards,
Lars

jonathan_hart (21276) 2008-02-05 13:43

hi Renier
nice play of light, the B&W emphasizes the graphic elements os this photo
regards
jo

MLINES (12516) 2008-02-05 18:34

Hi Renier. Looks like a good night out with that great line-up of favorites. The light streaming down onto Billy Joe? looks very goos. A powerful and emotive composition. TFS. Murray.

robertosalguero (292) 2008-02-05 22:59

Billy Joel to me means Uptown Girl and some other excellent hits. This image is very pretty. The black and white renedering works very well and the soft texture of the image is pleasant. I have never seen BJ in concert but I imagine is quite amazing with the energy he has, used to have. Nice work even with a small camera. Thanks Renier.

Roberto

Clementi (52514) 2008-02-06 0:31

Ciao Renier,
Wondefull b&w work !
Great management of light .
that's a fantastic concert.
Giorgio

delkoo (68) 2008-02-06 1:38

hi renier
even though the quality on the singer it's not perfect, the effect of the light beams is very attractive,not easy to achieve good photo's concert.

best regards
didier

hatti52 (12786) 2008-02-06 2:23

Hi Renier,
Interesting shot with amazing ray of concert lights,impressive
regards

paura (25802) 2008-02-06 17:13

Renier,
Very beautiful photo in an excellent lighting effect. Supperb compo indeed.

regards

Paulo

jpphoto (465) 2008-02-07 7:21

Excellent prise de vue , on ne peut pas louper le pianiste , très belle compo , le N/B par excellence A+ jpphoto

Charo (51290) 2008-02-10 2:48

Hola Renier,
Estupenda toma de este concierto con los focos cruzados iluminando al pianista. Excelente POV y atmósfera.
Cordialmente
Charo

Benedict (7076) 2008-02-10 18:42

dang, i am jealous! in my almost 2 decades of living here, i haven't seen Lenny K performed in person yet (but BJ and SN, yes). i am sure ang kinakanta ni Billy dito ay ang "in the middle of the night", ano? malinaw ang kuha pati na ang reflections at dancing lights detalyadong nakuha...magaling, Bai tunay na pang display ika nga..at box seat yata ang ticket mo, ah?
keep it up, renier.
benedict

Karmenu (1408) 2008-02-11 6:06

Hi Renier
beautiful shot! Quality is amazing and details but what makes the real difference here is the lighting you managed to catch..which is outstanding!
Have a nice week!
Carmel

Gerrit (62042) 2008-02-12 0:21

Hi Renier,
very good catch of the light and excellent composition. A fine moody picture.
Regards, Gerrit

ALIRIZA (16423) 2008-02-12 12:57

Hi Renier,
Great POV from the concert.An interesting shot with amazing ray of lights. Good idea and very well composed. Well done...
Friendly regards...
Ali Rıza

Angshu (56760) 2008-02-14 19:58

Hello Renier
The mood is strong & the environment near stage very palpable, even with the slight shake as it appears here. Like the way the two beams of the follow-spot converge down to Billy..he's sure a great singer & a great stage performer.
Regards
Angshu

jaywalker (16105) 2008-02-15 2:11

Hi Renier, Strong shot with the spotlight beaming down, they are that powerful it's a wonder Billy can see to play, I love the mass of back lighting also, you have captures the scene very well &, great in B/W assists the mood, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

crckt (7222) 2008-02-15 19:44

Hi Renier,
WOW! You saw Billy Joel live! Forget the quality because this is a special occasion and very few can actually be in a position to shoot this. I like how you composed this with the spotlight leading in to the shot.
Well done,
Shaeri

salvator (19110) 2008-05-05 2:35

Hi Renier,
Very nicely composed. The two lights illuminating the piano player, (Billy Joel ?)the paths of the main lights and the others criscrossing look very nice.
Best regards. Salvator.

livinitout (942) 2008-06-08 17:35

Even though very blurred, the compo is great as well as colour choice. Love those beams

pablominto (53746) 2008-08-06 2:05

Hello Renier,

Interesting effect from lighting!
Fine dynamics in the light setup, and you record the result well and I notice the halo-like effect emphasising the main artist so well...
I like the framing that shows the light situation!

Greetings,
Pablo -