If you’re a long-time follower, you know I love to work with performing artists. Actors and dancers can be lots of fun. With musicians, it’s a mixed bag. Sometimes you get the really self-conscious, withdrawn, need-to-be-drunk for anything types. Other times, you get lucky. Here’s one where I considered myself fortunate. Follow That Bird were fun, happy to be there, and up for just about anything I threw at them.
The shoot was to coincide with an interview at an Austin lounge, Rio Rita. As is usually the case, I arrived early to scout the location, get acquainted with any location/venue staff, and setup some minimal lighting. The band and the writer showed up shortly thereafter. In situations like this, I like to get the photo shoot done before the subjects start working with the writer. Sitting there, answering a bunch of questions for 30-45 mins., as you might imagine, isn’t the best lead-in to a creative shoot.
Here are some quick test shots of two of the lounge’s seating areas. Nothing special to it, just a snapshot using the camera’s pop-up flash. Yes, it’s good for something.
My setup was my standard two-light rig as detailed in my eBooks. For the first shot, I wanted a sense of depth, and some atmosphere. The lounge was a little on the dim side, so I set one flash on a stand to illuminate part of the background and give it all a little contrast. The main light was my go-to shoot-thru. The back light was unmodified. Of course, I asked the person I identify as the least comfortable to act as my test subject for the lighting. That way I can get them used to the idea of being in front of the camera with me before adding in the other subjects. Sometimes you can get some cool photos this way!
When the lighting was where I wanted it, I asked the other two members to step in. You can see we’re basically just having fun here. I’ve even recruited the writer as photo-assistant. Everyone loves to be a part of a cool photo shoot!
I asked the group to pile up on the couch behind them, literally sprawled out all over each other. This really got the playfulness feel I was looking for jump started.
While still on that couch, I changed the light up. I brought the unmodified Canon Speedlite 580EX II flash unit, that was previously acting as the back light, over to the couch. I aimed it straight down on them, for a party photo-booth effect. The light beam would be narrow and harsh. I had them get their faces in very close and continued with the playfulness by having them act out silly emotions with each other.
We moved over to another couch area where I had them change up positions a bit. I’m always experimenting, and the writer and I both suggested the trio pretend a strange love triangle was taking place. These would be a bit of a departure from the rest of the shoot, as we’d try to get something a little dark and mischievous going. I always ask if my subjects are OK with the ideas we’re trying, and in this case they said they were. Who knew if the editorial staff would go for it? But we’d have some interesting pictures either way.
I was pretty happy with what I had at this point, so I told the writer to take over. I decided to stick around and shoot some behind-the-scenes of the interview. Of course, it’s hard not to get a little creative, so I experimented with super-slow shutter speeds in the dark outdoor patio area.
When It seemed like the interview was hitting a “break” point, I told the writer and the band that I’d have to be leaving. But, first I wanted to grab a few more shots out there. Just behind us was an old radiator in front of a corrugated metal panel. I had them position themselves there for a few straight-ahead on-camera direct flash shots. That gave me a really nice, raw look. Finally, we did one more in front of the lighted canopy and we were done.
As you can see, it can really pay to let your creativity run free, if your subjects are willing to play along.
This originally appeared in a recent issue of my newsletter. If you’d like to receive my free newsletter, just sign-up for it by using the form on the sidebar
Brillant images