A Few Pictures I Took Today

[jkelman]

Originally Posted by Pope Pertwee IX

As a photographer, I may think, “Oh yes, that’s a decent shot.” But to a ballet aficionado/expert, the pose or attitude of the dancer in the shot may not be up to the highest standard. (Unbeknown to us photographers). If such pictures be released, in the name of the Company. Then the Company’s name and reputation comes into disrepute, - a very sensitive area!! Therefore careful scrutiny is required.

Ah, sorry, I misunderstood the thrust..I can get that. Fortunately, in the jazz world, it's not such a thing, though there has been the occasional artist who has asked that a photo used in an article be replaced, which is fine (of course).

But with dance being such a visual medium, I can sure understand....
Cheers!
John

[jkelman]

Originally Posted by tpt1

Please, some behind the scene photos, John, if you can. Those can be magical.

Don't often get the chance, though do have some soundcheck photos of Sidsel Endresen @ 60 that should be up later today...though not particularly revealing.

Since I am a writer first, photographer second, unless specifically coverign as such, I don't have my camera out when backstage...I dunno, I always felt it would be somehow intrusive and would hinder the building of relationships that I have these past few years. That said, I should be a little more proactive and ask if folks would mind if I shot a bit...nine times out of ten I know they'd say 'sure.'

Honestly, something I've not thought about much until this past few days if discussion....time to change that....

Thanks!
John

[jkelman]

Originally Posted by page

Now I hope you photographers won't get angry with me, since I know the photographer is the one who owns the copyright, but you wouldn't believe how often this happens. Also since it is easy for every one to publish nowadays and not every one doing so is a real photographer.

How could we get angry with you, Page?

I understand what you say. In truth, when I cover some festivals, it's clear that there are photographers there who are far better than I, but don't know who they are shooting, and I think that's one advantage I do have. I know the artists and music, more often than not, so am better able to assess whether a shot actually captures the artist or not...even if the shots aren't as techincally perfect.

'Follow the light' is on important adage when thinking about photography; 'know the artist' is, I think, another if at all possible.

Best!
John

[Pope Pertwee IX]

Originally Posted by page

You know photographers often solely think about whether a picture is technically perfect with perfect light and so on, while the person being photographed can have a totally different opinion about that.
We have this rule of 'portrait-right' and when a photographer publishes a picture of you and you are unhappy with it, you can object. However, people can already have published, on the net that is very easy of course while you'll have to go to a lot of trouble to let the pictures taken away.

Being a singer I have been photographed from very close and although the pics might have been technically perfect I hated seeing all my dental work f.e. in some photos which I can't imagine anyone would like to look at. Now people may say it is vanity and of course that has something to do with it but it would be nice to be able to discuss which pictures would have preference for publishing before others.

Now I hope you photographers won't get angry with me, since I know the photographer is the one who owns the copyright, but you wouldn't believe how often this happens. Also since it is easy for every one to publish nowadays and not every one doing so is a real photographer.

Page, as a photographer, it’s not only the technical aspects of a photograph, which are important. It’s the overall picture itself. “Photographers” vary, as do artists.
Some camera club photographers not all concentrate too much on the technical aspects of a picture. And the actual point of the picture is diminished. (No offence at all to the decent camera club members!!)

If I took a picture, which was technically perfect, but was unflattering to the subject. – I would bin it. (Unless that was the aim of the picture?)
The “Portrait-right” rule should be made as legally binding as possible in yours and others instance. I had to sign a disclaimer, to such effect prior to the Ballet shoots I undertook.

On a lighter note (no pun intended), if I took a shot of you singing, showing your dental history. – I would not caption it “Sister of Jaws, singing XYZ.”

I understand where you’re coming from, and you have every right to show your concern.

[NewJazz4Mike]

I used to like this thread when it actually posted pictures.

[Ianant]

Originally Posted by NewJazz4Mike

I used to like this thread when it actually posted pictures.

Good point. More pictures to text ratio please, or at least 50/50 if that could be aimed for. There were no pics posted in the last three pages or so, and I was thinking of this before Mike said what he did. I will post when I have something worthy.

[NewJazz4Mike]

Originally Posted by Ianant

Good point. More pictures to text ratio please, or at least 50/50 it that could be aimed for. There were no pics posted in the last three pages or so, and I was thinking of this before Mike said what he did. I will post when I have something worthy.

LOL, Thanks. I'm glad it was received in the spirit it was posted in. I don't mean to be critical... there's room for some techie stuff... but I mostly like seeing people's pics.

[tpt1]

Originally Posted by NewJazz4Mike

I used to like this thread when it actually posted pictures.

I've been thinking that very same thing for a long time now... all the tech talk is great but it's not in the spirit of the thread.

I'd like to see a separate thread for camera/photoshop tech-talk...

[tpt1]

Originally Posted by jkelman

Since I am a writer first, photographer second, unless specifically coverign as such, I don't have my camera out when backstage...I dunno, I always felt it would be somehow intrusive and would hinder the building of relationships that I have these past few years. That said, I should be a little more proactive and ask if folks would mind if I shot a bit...nine times out of ten I know they'd say 'sure.'

I think I know what you mean, John. Earlier this year I had the rare privilege of being invited to watch the Wayne Shorter Quartet from back stage at Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center. So there I am , within arms reach of Wayne Shorter himself and the band as they wait to be announced and enter the stage... and when they came back waiting to be called out for an encore... I was, needless to say, in awe, but I could not imagine having the audacity to try to take some pictures ( they would not have come out well any way since there was so little light ). Could have been some magical photos, though.

[Pope Pertwee IX]

Originally Posted by NewJazz4Mike

LOL, Thanks. I'm glad it was received in the spirit it was posted in. I don't mean to be critical... there's room for some techie stuff... but I mostly like seeing people's pics.

Mike, I can see where you’re coming from re. Techie stuff.
I like to hear aspects of photography, such as John’s contemplation of backstage candids.
John, put your Henri Cartier-Bresson hat on! I know you can do it!!

[Pope Pertwee IX]

Originally Posted by tpt1

I've been thinking that very same thing for a long time now... all the tech talk is great but it's not in the spirit of the thread.

I'd like to see a separate thread for camera/photoshop tech-talk...

I’m willing to participate, can we have a poll/show of interest, as this flurry of non-picture messages, could be a flash in the pan?

[jkelman]

Since you asked for it, here's some of the shots from the two-day celebration of Sidsel Endresen's 60th Birthday, at Nasjonal Jazzscene Victoria, in Oslo, last weekend. I was lucky enough to score an invite. All photos can be found here:

Keyboardist Morten Qvenild, of In the Country:


Singer Solveig Slettahjell:


Pianist Django Bates:




Singer Live Maria Roggen:


Trumpeter Nils Petter Molvær:




Drummer Audun Kleive:




Singer Eldbjørg Raknes:


Saxophonist-turned-opera singer Håkon Kornstad:




Live Sampler Jan Bang:


Keyboardist and Evening's Musical Coordinator, Bugge Wesseltoft:




Singer (and daughter of Jon) Emilie Christensen:


Guitarist Stian Westerhus:




And...the birthday woman herself, Sidsel Endresen:

[NewJazz4Mike]

Some are great JK... both in aesthetic appeal (to my eye anyway), and in subject interest. Knowing your musical tastes, it seems like you must've had a blast. For my tastes, I'd certainly love to hear Solvieg Slettahjell perform, and coincidentally that shot of her is one of my favorite of this batch. I'll look for your reviews to hear your thoughts on her performance. I'm also, as you may recall - a long time fan of Mike Mainieri, so it was nice to see some photos.... haven't heard him play live in ages!

[jkelman]

Originally Posted by NewJazz4Mike

Some are great JK... both in aesthetic appeal (to my eye anyway), and in subject interest. Knowing your musical tastes, it seems like you must've had a blast. For my tastes, I'd certainly love to hear Solvieg Slettahjell perform, and coincidentally that shot of her is one of my favorite of this batch. I'll look for your reviews to hear your thoughts on her performance. I'm also, as you may recall - a long time fan of Mike Mainieri, so it was nice to see some photos.... haven't heard him play live in ages!

thanks mike...I've been lucky enough to catch Solveig quite a few times in the past seven year am starting with my first Punkt festival in 2006. She is, in a word, amazing.

Not sure if you saw my review of the Umeå Fest where mike m was playing, but if not, here's a direct link to that review within the larger piece. it was, in a word (my phrase for the day, it seems): tremendous. It was my first time, if you can believe that and, after interviewing him a couple years back, it was nice to meet him in person....

Thanks for the kind words on the photos, though I know I need to sharpen up technically, and thank everyone for their comments. What I do believe, is that my eye is pretty good, and will get better, looking at everyone else's contributions here. Thanks again guys.

[page]

John, Re: thanks. I understand the 'follow the light' and what you say about 'knowing' the artist. I've told before that my best friend did a shoot of me during a BB gig and honestly I've never looked better being photographed than at that shoot. I guess that is because he really knows me.
Beautiful pics again btw. I would pick the sax-opera singer for my favourite since you've captured him totally in his emotion.

Pope, Re: you are a funny guy. My teeth are actually quite pretty but when someone photographes you from a lower perspective while you are singing on stage that can give a 'weird' view. I prefer my dental work being 'shot' by my dentist solely and speaking of that I have had enough X-rays for the time being so I think I'd pass anyway.
You were hired by the ballet group so the signing an agreement makes sense. When a photographer isn't hired though, it is another story.

Sorry for the diversion people, back to the photos.