Stage lighting at its best (for a photographer).....

The Baghdaddies headlined a mid-week gig at St James in Guernsey where they went down a storm with the crowd who managed to raise their spirits despite it being a Wednesday night and miserable weather outside.

This is a great party band... catch 'em if you can!

I popped along to take some pics for the Guernsey Press and was pleased to see my favorite lighting tech behind the desk... Lloyd Helyer.

Now before I upset all the other lighting techs around and jeopardize any of their gigs I photograph in the future (I love all of your work too... I really do!) it is just something in the way Lloyd lights a stage that makes the job of photographing a performance so much easier.

I've noticed this very often. Lloyd's lighting makes my processing of the pics so much quicker and easier... he saves me time, what's not to like!

I should clarify this a bit more... and I accept that I'm seeing this just from a photographers point of view.

From an audience's viewpoint I'm sure they would never have a 'preference' for any good lighting tech.

But back to the photographers viewpoint. I don't know if there are 'technical' terms for this but I notice that Lloyd tends to 'layer' the lighting. He uses colour really well and generally doesn't 'flood' a stage in a single primary colour. There's often an element of subtle white light too. Another factor is that I find I can predict his timing better than some other lighting techs.

All these elements combine together to assist my work... in colour.

But I have to admit that I do have a love for the black& white print. There is a strength and dynamic in that traditional format. Many of my favourite pics are indeed B&W and I will always continue to produce (lots of) B&W work.

However today's lighting and cameras offer the chance to capture colour better than ever before. So when given a beautifully lit and colourful stage it is maybe a sin not to use it to its best effect!

Hence, if you look at my gallery of The Baghdaddies pics you will see they are nearly all in colour. Lloyds lighting means that I don't have to turn to B&W just to 'save' a pic.

Also on the bill were The Cor Damme Lars and The Recks. Their pics will follow shortly.

I hope you enjoy looking at my Baghdaddies pics. Drop me an email Email me if you have any comments... agreeing or disagreeing with my thoughts.
CLICK TO VIEW MY PICS OF THE BAGHDADDIES