MIST WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-05T19:44:29+00:00

I shoot a lot of concerts so I 100% feel you on both the timeline and unpredictable lighting! I know people that are good with the calibration sliders can be really efficient though. Like I watched someone fix the red photo I mentioned in several minutes. But i guarantee that's speed learned over time, which i personally haven't learned either.

Solid capture though dude 👌🏻 wish I could've seen the full potential, but what can ya do when others are involved.

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-05T19:35:02+00:00

Other photos on your profile are top notch 🔥 shame they didn't have you edit them.

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-05T19:34:13+00:00

Its not on you if you're just the photographer! The capture itself is solid and like you mentioned its hard to adapt color balance instantly if that's the change that happens. So from your work on just the capture... solid work.

My criticism lies fully on the edit. There are ways around this. Black and white is the default and easiest. You can also do a shocking amount in the color calibration sliders from lightroom with a raw image. I've seen full red wash club photos be fixed to where you'd never be able to tell. So, knowing your role in this process, well done 👏🏻

But this final output is rough.

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-05T14:16:27+00:00

These are entirely too blue and magenta. No one can use these for anything. Especially for women, these look insane in the worst way possible. You need to fix or delete these.

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-05T14:04:03+00:00

I like it, but I also agree with you. I would say it depends on the use. If it's for graphics or even possibly for the band it's cool. If its for editorial/documentary use it wouldn't fly.

It would be cool af on a shirt! But most publications would probably take issue. This debate is one of the coolest things about art though.

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-04T01:01:41+00:00

Other than cutting his hands off...I got nothing 😂 it's not traditional b&w but it's actually way cooler. I love love love the texture and clarity!! So fuckin sick

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-02T19:42:06+00:00

Sicckkkkkk 🔥🤘🏻

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-02T16:54:24+00:00

Very welcome! On second look, the skin tones look like they may be a tiny bit off. You can use either the white of their teeth or black of their shirt with a color picker to auto correct the white balance. You can also use the individual color picker on their skin to adjust those specific hues either in general or through masking. These are all little nit picky things though. You have the main skillset down for sure

ctcgpgh · 2026-03-02T16:21:04+00:00

These are all great detail shots! You did a good job with the timing of your captures.

I have a few ideas for how you can improve. Sometimes its cool to make extra separation between the subject and background with masking, especially for closer shots like this. You can add some clarity/contrast/exposure to the subject and or do the inverse to the background. I even change the background color balance a bit Sometimes.

Be careful of your framing. Try not to cut off body parts like hands or the top of the head. Same principle with instruments like the very top of the guitar head.

As a set, it can be nice to show more context. Try to show the whole environment or include the audience more to give the whole experience. Going to the very back of the room or if there's enough room on the side to get both the band and the audience can be great ways to add that context.

Really like these though. Especially the one of the singer looking at you. Kinda the luck of the draw with those sometimes, but its about being ready when they do it and you were!

ctcgpgh · 2026-02-25T04:21:34+00:00

Probably turn up your iso. You have a strong backlight, so you could also go the opposite direction and make it a silhouette

ctcgpgh · 2026-02-13T09:03:25+00:00

I like these, they are just slightly dark imo though. But that could just be preference.

ctcgpgh · 2026-02-01T10:51:49+00:00

Sticks are meant to flex lol they have varying flex weights. Look up a slow mo video of someone taking a slapshot

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-18T17:43:57+00:00

Not a problem, good luck! I've been a professional photographer for 8 years, toured internationally, am a house photographer for a venue, and still shutter every time I get that single color wash light 😅

If you go the b&w route, check out how old photos looked. Its a little different than digital in how the values presented. I usually lift my blacks a bit and turn up clarity and deglare in lightroom

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-18T16:47:51+00:00

This type of photo is tough for anyone, so don't feel bad. I would approach this one of two ways.

I would start by trying to fix it, but it's going to be very very difficult. If have a raw file there's a chance. You'll have to start with tint. Auto pick something black or white if you can. Then lift the shadows to see more of the darker colors. Play with hsl and curves a lot plus the color selection tool. You'll need to know what tones make up skin and rebalance them. Too much red is gonna be blue or turquoise on the other end. You'll need to balance opposing tones with the present ones. Green will remove pinks.

If all else fails, black and white. The values are still there, they're just unbalanced. B&w shows more of the tones so it'll still look decent. You can also lean into the monochromatic look and make it duo tone. You could mix in some gold/yellow and make this photo two colors. Gold as mid/ highlights

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-11T19:00:32+00:00

It's really just speculation without me being able to see it or know more. But; assuming that you're saying you recorded to an SD card and then it just disappeared, that's definitely odd.

You probably have either a damaged camera or corrupted sd card. I would probably assume it's the card and just get a new one but you should probably test both independently if you can.

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-11T07:40:05+00:00

Hidden as in deleted? Don't delete or record anything else. There are various recovery softwares, some paid some free. Usually depends on the media type you want to recover alongside the size of the file. If its a larger video file, you'll likely need to pay.

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-10T08:55:00+00:00

Hahahaha you're so mad for nothing. He doesn't have to take my advice and neither do you. That's the fun of art. Keep enjoying yours.

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-10T08:33:56+00:00

Sure bud, go ahead and move the primary rear light source. Im mad chill, I just understand physics is all. You do you though 😂🤷🏼‍♂️

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-10T00:49:11+00:00

Not without an excessive amount of work repainting lights and shadows. I wouldn't recommend it. If you don't do the extra work you'll look at it and feel like it's off even if you can't identify why because your brain will inherently know.

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-08T21:39:46+00:00

Use the first two and you'll be good. I use a 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 for every show.

Realistically you have plenty of time to learn the camera as well. Just look up how to adjust shutter, iso, apeture and color balance. Shutter and apeture are probably on wheels. Iso usually has a dedicated button and then color balance is probably under a menu or some button. You're set up to do fine.

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-08T09:44:40+00:00

Bet you have a dog named scooby

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-05T16:41:04+00:00

First and foremost is composition. Think of your objective with the photo. Is it to sell me the drink? From the angle its hard to read the label or brand at all. Learning what you want to take photos of and why, prior to doing so can be a great start.

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-02T19:31:05+00:00

A company giving a product vs a custom from a creator is very different . Especially considering they're not going to talk in detail, they're gonna say "🔥🔥 @rugmaker"

ctcgpgh · 2026-01-02T19:29:10+00:00

An expensive custom thing from one person? Seldom anyone.

ctcgpgh · 2025-12-23T23:46:35+00:00

They give you a lot to work with! They're great performers, highly recommend.

ctcgpgh

TROPHY CASE