I shot Jewel a while back and I've been meaning to share these shots with Jewel played an exclusive set and I got the call to shoot her session and portrait for the event over at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood.
She's a wonderful performer. I've shot alot of country, southern rockers and folk singers in over the past several years and have become a fan of them. Never thought I would like this music to be honest. But there's something to the way their songs are narratives that draws me in.
I had great time working with her and got a private concert practically.
On a gear note, there is no substitute for the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS lens. That lens is worth every penny. I decided to test out a friend's Tamron 70-200 2.8 and it was a no good: AF was bad (slow and hunt/peck), and at 200mm in a low lit studio lack of IS was missed. I quickly retired the Tamron and put the Canon back on after just 15 min. Lighting wise for the portraits, all Hensel with single beauty dish.
Photos...
Remember this well. Hope you are doing well Nhat.
Matt.
Posted by: matt | 27 January 2009 at 10:04 AM
Beautiful exposures! The wider shot of her on the wall is my fave.
The detail shots are especially slick.
Posted by: Darren Abate | 27 January 2009 at 10:07 AM
Hey Matt. I am doing good. I am going to post the shots from our day over at the gold record place.
Posted by: Nhat Nguyen | 27 January 2009 at 10:48 AM
Darren. Thanx man. That wide shot was the best one from the portrait set I think. I saw your gear list for sale, I am tempted by the Epson rangefinder.
Posted by: Nhat Nguyen | 27 January 2009 at 10:49 AM
Great set Nhat! exposure at the show was fantastic!
Posted by: Scott Alexander | 27 January 2009 at 11:07 AM
Scott, I inherited great lighting from the production crew that setup the show. They had a really good lighting designer and he made sure I had enough light to handhold. It's rare to have a production company bring in the still photographer in the process.
Posted by: Nhat Nguyen | 27 January 2009 at 11:18 AM
i love jewel..best female voice ever!
Posted by: Gjorgi | 27 January 2009 at 12:04 PM
Lovely captures Nhat! Interesting to read that the production company catered to your lighting needs. It is rare to see that done but I've been lucky with that a few times as well even to the point of getting to consult on stage lighting to assist giving the singer better gig shots.
Posted by: Mark Greenmantle | 27 January 2009 at 12:58 PM
Mark: Thanks for the props. Yeah it's always fun and good to work with that production company, Mutiny Circle. Walter the lighting designer and Rick the producer are very inclusive and supportive. Props go out to them. Always a joy shooting with them.
Posted by: Nhat Nguyen | 27 January 2009 at 01:04 PM
Nice shots Nhat, and it's nice to hear from you again! I miss Uber!!!
Posted by: Stewart Bywater | 27 January 2009 at 03:38 PM
Hey there Stewart. How goes it on your side of the pond! I hear ya, I do miss Uber too. I took some away from being online after being online on Uber practically everyday. I've been in the process of redoing my new site, using the Drip Book this time, they have a good site export tool. I am going to be more active on here. Took my break from online life but now I am back. Great to see all the family names posting entries and blogs on here.
Posted by: Nhat Nguyen | 27 January 2009 at 04:06 PM
Gjorgi: I agree about Jewel's voice. Wonderful singing voice. She's good. She just walked in and was ready to go, didn't need the 45min warmup that other singers need. She sounds just as good live as she does on her recordings.
Posted by: Nhat Nguyen | 27 January 2009 at 05:29 PM
Really wish we had a community like Uber again.
Great stuff as always Nhat! Great stuff from the production company as well, I really appreciate people who take in to account stuff most people will disregard right away.
Cheers from Toasty Manila!
Posted by: Sonny Thakur | 27 January 2009 at 08:06 PM
Great shots Nhat!!! The colors and contrasts are very nice! I especially like the third to last one and the last one. Beautiful!
Posted by: Rastislav | 28 January 2009 at 04:57 AM
Thanx Richard. Shooting shows, lighting wise, is always a mix bag and I never know what to expect at a venue. The production company was very inclusive of me, a rare thing really, so I got great lighting! But you know one thing that flickr is good for is venue research. Before shooting a show, I do a quick search on flickr and you'll get a bunch of fan cell phone photos and I can at least get an idea of the the stage lighthing.
I got your note on Facebook about the 50mm lenses, I'll reply over there.
Posted by: Nhat Nguyen | 28 January 2009 at 10:02 AM
some damn nice shots there mate, it helps that she's pleasing on the eye ;)
Posted by: Christian Rollinson | 03 February 2009 at 04:25 PM