In the studio with Rhinestone Lives
March 19th, 2009
The duke has contacted me to take some photos of the recording of second album Rhinestone Lives (which is actually the 3rd if you count that Marja album recorded in his kitchen), the recording is taking place in the Studio Molière in Brussels, I was there three nights taking to capture some images of studio work.
Something nice as a photographer for this type of reporting, in addition to meet passionate people in very different functions of the projects is to be both involved while having the external eye that will attempt to fix some memories.
I did not know nor Marja or Rhinestone Lives , I was surprised by her energy and her voice during these three days, I received his last album Exit Wounds is really very good and I look forward to owning it ! If you want to hear a sample please visit his myspace .
The first few minutes, people are ill at ease, aware of my presence and my observation, after a while it is part of the decor and it is at this moment I can begin to take things on the fly.
I chose to work in b / w to maintain a certain unity in my images (large temperature differences) with some exceptions as described below, as every time I set my box to work directly b / w what I gives a good overview of the rendering on the screen of D3.
Knowing that I work in RAW and C1 does not retain the settings boxes, the imported image is in color, the value of working in b / w is only a preview for the shooting.
Digress, there are different solutions to extract the preview image in a RAW file, which is why I never understood the interest of RAW + jpeg, eg the program preview extractor , which allows a few clicks and a few seconds to extract the encapsulated Jpeg in RAW files.
Here is an example of gross box (this does not mean much because the case provides a rendering image but to illustrate the example).
The fact of shooting b / w and then and then import the images in color and then have to convert back b / cons may seem productive, the fact is that outside of the soft nikon which will maintain the boxes (which is in my opinion useless to work on a series) other software does not retain.
I could work directly in Jpeg seen the very good record of the case but I like being able to make small changes as needed if I judge it necessary.
Work in b / w is not just desaturate a color image, think and work on contrasts, material, the shadows.
An image can be interesting in color and "flat" or unreadable in black and white and vice versa.
The studio and the light
Some info taken from the site of the studio: "The Molière, installed in one of the most beautiful avenues in Brussels, is a studio with a rich musical past (Frank Zappa, Black Sabbath, Backstreet Boys, etc ...) which has retained an atmosphere warm while opening up to modern technology. The studios are equipped with ProTools and Logic Audio and combine the best of both analog and digital (SSL, Neve, Avalon, GML, Tubetech, etc ...)
It offers two studios covering all needs in the field of recording and mixing audio. The play "live" can accommodate up to 60 musicians (100m2) and the governed is spacious and comfortable. "
Light in the studio is pretty to the eye, next picture is less simple, in the control room were a few spots with a temperature hot enough embedded in the ceiling and some on the walls taken down, so a very light Directive and timely .
So I mainly work in the ambient light in the imprest with sensitivities of 2000 isos (D3 thank you for this impressive senior management isos) generally for a speed of 1/40 to an opening of 1.6. One consequence of this sharp rise in isos is that the lights very low (like a screen) become more important.
In the jar (the room where is the sound), I could have the freedom to work my light, in its basic configuration the room is lit with neon lights (room shack was fried guaranteed), the work Flash was not possible (one flash makes noise and the aim is not to interfere or distract the artist).
So I used a projector as Keylight site broadcast by an umbrella (a softer light for both the photo and the artist).
I made some catches but the image was missing my sense of energy and some hecklers bothered me in my frame, so I decided to take advantage of my constraints (the glass) to create a big return in the image directing the proceedings directly against my goal day in the following diagram.
What gives me a more satisfactory result in terms of atmosphere:
Quick Selection
More images are available by clicking on the banner at the top
Other News should arrive next week!
March 19th, 2009 at 3:33
great series for an artist to discover if you do not know yet ...
images are at the height of his beautiful voice!
Bravo!
March 19th, 2009 at 3:34
Nice nice as usual ...
It does not bother them that you yourself go direct spots to your liking?
While clairemment for enregistremment light plays a very can:-p
March 19th, 2009 at 3:35
Congratulations again for the explanation of the flyback to the opbjectif.
It gives more life effectivemment.
March 19th, 2009 at 3:39
One word: Awesome!
Your light management especially!
Besides your frames that give the impression to be there while having a step back, you really see that you were melted into the background and all these beautiful people felt comfortable to work
We're really immersed in the atmosphere, bravo!
March 19th, 2009 at 4:40
Very nice work as usual Ben! O)
March 19th, 2009 at 4:42
Out of curiosity, what is wide angle lens that is used? (This is the fish eye?)
March 19th, 2009 at 5:07
The photos are at the height of the singer's voice, thank you for the discovery, will probably order their album
March 19th, 2009 at 5:28
titles on his myspace are very nice! They rocked me while I bump!
I think I'll buy the album!
March 19th, 2009 at 8:24
Thank you: a post at the level of expectation.
Only beautiful NetB situation in most (not ask).
The beam still D3: viva the 2000ISO.
March 19th, 2009 at 8:26
You are a very good photographer, this is not new (sorry, I hang out too often on your site and I've realized, along with glasses remained a timber able to notice so c ' Of course!!), but especially this continues and it is constantly renewed, so hat the artist for your sensitivity ...
At the risk of repeating myself, "Continue!"
March 19th, 2009 at 9:45
Bravo bravo bravo!
March 20th, 2009 at 8:36
Excellent work (yes, yes, as always).
I especially like the atmosphere "studio" that you were able to transcribe in your photos.
My favorite: the photo of the microphone on a red background -> wow!
March 20th, 2009 at 10:20
great need I say more! Congratulations, I look forward to reading a new series.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:29
Nicolas: Thank you!
Dati: No, but I have asked before moving on the brothel
Naime Jonathan: Thank you
Olivier: thanks!
Fabien: Yes the fish, a 16 mm 2.8 (only for the Full Frame)
Julien M, Redville: I would not fail to point out the upcoming album, which will be truly Epic
MickymX: Clearly the high isos are bluffing
Fred: Will soon make loyalty cards
Thank you for your comment
Delphine:
Fred: thank you!
Glencc: It's coming
March 20th, 2009 at 10:33
Thank you for answer, I'm looking for a wide angle for my D700 ... like rendering, seems pretty cool
March 20th, 2009 at 24:42
Fabien: Do not confuse wide angle and fish, the fish distorts everything that is on the edges, the use is not at all the same
Personally I always look for the perfect wide angle right for me (compact, unladen, then exit the excellent 14/24) and I think to turn to a fixed 14mm 2.8
March 20th, 2009 at 2:09
I know, I know.
But never had to Fish eye, it might be fun to discover the possibilities of this kind of stone
March 20th, 2009 at 10:47
Magnificent series again. And thank you for the way we do discover this artist.
A small question comes on your workflow:
I see in your insights and your articles that you are using Capture One. Not me having never really interested, I've taken a look at the official site now to discover software makes the sauce Aperture / Lightroom.
For my part I only use Aperture on my Mac to carry out all of my workflow:
- Extraction of the device
- Selection & scoring shots
- Cropping, retouching expo, color ...
- Completion of images & export
Would you ever use Aperture and what do you think compared to Capture One? This question is also posed to any other actor on this article.
By somewhere else, I focus recently with color corrections and distortions associated with DxO optics where now seems to be one of the most advanced solutions. But it is not integrated with Aperture and this represents a pb for me because I needed to release a photograph of his workflow to reinstate him. Capture One seems to have its own correction. What do you think? When you are using?
Thank you if you find a little time to answer my questions. And as always, thank you for your shots.
March 21st, 2009 at 8:35
Superb!
A thought for the window cleaner (separating the studio and control room) who has also done a great job
March 22nd, 2009 at 10:22
Superb! It makes you want to listen to the music ...
Not only the photos are superb, as usual, but she has a great interest to the artist (I did not know until now, but I think I'll continue my turn on her myspace and at my favorite record store).
Bravo!
March 22nd, 2009 at 2:22
Fabien: I completely, the trick is to choose knowingly
Anthony: I chose C1 (Capture One) for his very good color management, its speed and its side "to the point" for tested Aperture is a very good software that provides a record that I feel loyal enough The fact is that I work on both Mac and PC, allows me to C1 equiped for rough assembly on the Mac and continue working on my pc.
At my corrections, it is still quite limited: fix the white balance, contrast, saturation. I do not reframe my images (I work almost all the time with a viewfinder and fixed focus very close to 100% which allows me to have a fairly accurate framing), I would like a correction of the distortion built in C1 but this is not the case. Sometimes I have to correct the distortion, then I pass by PT lens in photoshop.
Betrand: Not really, between the governed and the jar there are 3 windows for insulation that were not the cleanest
Michael B: Thank you!
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:21
Ben thank you for your answer.
So you are using the simple version of C1. For I see that the version of captureone.com Capture One 4 Pro includes its own tool for color correction and distortion.
And indeed, I understand that if you pass from one PC to MAC regularly, Aperture is not best suited.
I will go see this plugin for Photoshop
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:47
hello benjamin!
my name is Giovanni I'm 18 years old and I live in the south west of France (near Lourdes and Toulouse).
This week I made qques course your blog, and I must say it is GE-NIAL!
I for my part of the picture for 2 years and a half on the same SLR (Nikon D40), and I with time, I feel I've reached the "limits" of the device.
(J fortunately just bought a 50mm F/1.8 which I allege for the concert! (Although there are no AF))
you talk a lot of RAW, so I decided to cover a concert all in RAW, but I can not really see a difference in terms of quality, can be with only 6million pixel is not it quite sufficient .. ! ?
and I also have another question: how do you treat for all the photos you take? Let me explain:
Saturday I took a group picture in RAW (about 200 photos pdnt the evening), but for already I can see the look "normal" by clicking on it to get an overview, I am obliged to open Capture gizmo (in CS3).
and so when I want to put these pictures on the net, I have to go ALL the JPEG ...
it took me a whole day post-treatment: s (nothing to convert Raw to JPEG file)
: S
short,
otherwise I love the picture of the type in b & w, with the hat =)
March 24th, 2009 at 8:02
Hi Ben, you've done some wonderful pictures of Fine Arts, it is very beautiful this blue, beautiful atmosphere ...
March 25th, 2009 at 8:56
I confirm, I just got the album and it's very nice!
March 29th, 2009 at 8:22
Hi Ben,
Wonderful series!
As always, we recognize your personal touch through the color rendering of your photos!
A bit like the great rock bands that are recconnaissables the first guitar note played!
Good luck!
Gilles
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:49
Hi Ben, Super Series. I hesitate to offer me a poster of Micro with red background
For projo site you can tell me more? prices, shop, how you fixed on your tripod. A barebulb would not have been simpler?
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:58
Hello Giovanni
Thank you for your comment! The interest of RAW is to provide a larger dynamic changes and to allow non-destructive on your pictures. To work effectively requires appropriate software, Camera Raw is good for troubleshooting but not at all suited for mass production!
Olivier Bruniels
I have some interesting images
Redville: Owl ca!
Gilels: Thank you!
Merwen: The projo was on hand
I'm with the means at hand, the umbrella was on his front foot
April 4th, 2009 at 4:31
this beautiful story, framing sumptuous renderings very pleasant
and thank you for this musical discovery for me
May 14th, 2009 at 24:00
hello Ben,
good job - I discovered a little later - with a focus on the diversity of rocks, topics, a very natural atmosphere, color or b & w very well managed, your strong points and still usual very efficient
constructive criticism side (saw you on request), fat tends to be centered, pity there are some pictures that I would have been largely off-center (well you know my tastes), and also a framing not always rigorous about your character has two compounds :
) For a while, it'll help you may be playing with a new strain of com - I think it often is necessary that the rules that create freedom ...
6436 considered unnecessarily
9130 and 6092 severed arm that closes not quite the image
9013 head of the speaker is sacrificed so that the bottom of the image adds nothing etc.
can be as could try to do as a square or a 16/9 (
in short it does not raise anything to the series that remains very strong, well done!
alain
May 20th, 2009 at 8:23
Very nice photo report
September 11th, 2009 at 8:12
Superb series I just received the link of your site by a photographer friend and I learned so many things I must say thank you for all the info.
October 19th, 2009 at 6:54
Beautiful story.
The alignment of guitars is superb, as are all the portraits ...