Commnets

1. Red Says: February 25th, 2009 at 4:02 am

   Wow Todd. These are absolutely fantastic!!

   Were you able to get all these shots in just the two song period? Or do you continue shooting through the set (just further back in the venue)?

2. Todd Says: February 25th, 2009 at 5:02 am

   Hey Red, thanks for the comment. I shot all these images during the first two songs, as that was the only allotted time for photography. One or two more songs would have been fantastic, though!

3. Todd Says: February 25th, 2009 at 11:02 am

   Hey Chris, thanks for your comment. Billy and Dusty really were a bunch of characters, and a great pair to photograph.

   Their mic stands were pretty slick, which, along with the drum kit, made for some very nice custom pieces for the band.

   The lights were definitely a great bonus, especially for the first song. Thanks for the picks!

4. Chris Says: February 26th, 2009 at 5:02 am

   Dude. These guys look like 2 characters I would really enjoy meeting. Those beards are so dope!

   Picks: 2, 4, 5, 10, 15, 16. Really enjoy the wide angle of 2 [but not too wide] and seeing their custom chrome mics. Those stands are rockin! Really enjoy the vertical and him lurching forward effect of 4 [those skulls in 3 are so sick.. awesome drum stand]. Great spotlights in 5 and 10 — 9 really does show the synchronous movements you were talking about. Before I even read your post I thought they looked similar in movement in the photo… I love the angle of 15, but I think what attracts me more to it is that, “BAM!” of a blue cloud in the left corner of the photo — so smooth and such a cool effect.

   So yeah, I really love 4, 10, and 15.

   Gotta love them spotlights.

5. Todd Says: February 26th, 2009 at 8:02 am

   Hey Bruce, the Fox has always had seating in the orchestra pit with very narrow clearance for the front of the stage.

   The seating is very slightly bowed, such that the gap to the stage is widest at the center and greatly tappers off at the sides.

   Overall, shooting at the Fox is much more restrictive than a normal venue with a normal photo pit. The positives are that the lighting is generally very good and that the stage is only about two and a half or three feet tall.

   Glad to hear you enjoy the blog, thanks for the comment!

6. Todd Says: February 27th, 2009 at 5:02 am

   Hey Gary,

   Photogs for my date were allowed to shoot from the front of the stage. It’s important to note that at the Fox Theatre where this show was held, there is no proper photo pit and barricade.

   What we did have was access to the very narrow gap in between the stage and first row of the orchestra pit eating, and the main aisles leading to the stage.

   The space at the front of the stage in front of the first row of seats was very tight, and I shot from the aisle for much of the first two songs.

   Thanks for your comment, it’s always interesting to hear how shows differ venue to venue. It’s great that you got to photograph the band twice this summer!

7. Gary Says: February 27th, 2009 at 7:02 am

   hey Todd, great shots man. I shot ZZ Top twice this summer in june and late Aug., in Aug, Frank Beard had his old kit and was easier to shoot him. And in June came the skull kit. But both shows we the photogs weren’t allowed to shoot in front of them> How did you get away with that one wide angle shot looking up. Were you allowed to shoot anywhere in the pit is what i’m asking. Plus at the Aug. shoot Brooks and Dunn opened in Allentown Pa. and they had a ramp running out in the middle of the crowd so we had to pick a side, which i always like the left side if they play right handed. Well, if you have time i like to hear how that show went and the restrictions if you had any for the shoot. Oh, and we only got the first two songs but got the first three last July with the Stray Cats, Pretenders and REO Speedwagon. Take care, Gary

8. Bruce Says: February 27th, 2009 at 9:02 am

   Hey Todd,
   I greatly enjoy reading the blog, and looking at your pictures.

   I’m currently trying to get photo passes for Death Cab, as well as Smashing Pumpkins at the Fox, though the woman for DC is impossible to reach lol.

   My question is, how would you recommend shooting at the Fox? is the setup always as tight as you described?

9. Todd Says: February 28th, 2009 at 7:02 am

   Ha, the lighting at the Fox almost never disappoints me. The acts they book (or that choose to play there) almost always have either great lights or spotlights. Sometimes both.

   The lighting isn’t always the most interesting, but it’s generally bright enough for ISO 1600 as the max with generous shutter speeds and enough headroom to stop down.

10. David Mullis Says: February 28th, 2009 at 8:02 am

    i would give a leg for ISO 800 at 1/500 at f/anything. of course you get the amazing lighting when i’m not there haha. that guy’s drum kit is insane.

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