Last night Johnny B’s had a few metal acts playing so I headed up to Medford to try out my new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 lens.

Spellcaster was the headliner. I very much enjoyed their performance.

Posted on March 9th, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: johnny b's, music, nikon d7000, sigma 85mm f/1.4, spellcaster, video. Comments Off on Spellcaster

Beatriz Abella

One of my students sang for her Junior Recital this past weekend. No, I don’t teach music or give voice lessons. (Those that have heard my voice should be laughing right now.) She is a double major and wants to become a CPA. I teach accounting and tax.

Beatriz has won a number of awards for her voice. She has been a part of several musical theater productions as well. She has also sung in Carnegie Hall–twice!

Today’s photo is a frame I extracted from a video I took at her recital. I didn’t take any stills, but since I was recording at 1080 pixels, the image isn’t too bad.

Here is a short video from her performance which I took on my Nikon D7000, with Nikkor 70-200mm VR II f/2.8 lens, and Sennheiser MKE 400 external mic.

If you’d like to watch and listen to her entire recital (in order) click here.

Posted on February 16th, 2012 under only in ashland, people. Tags: music, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, nikon d7000, sennheiser mke 400 external microphone, sou performances, Southern Oregon University, video. Comments Off on Beatriz Abella

Beats Antique @ Historic Ashland Armory - January 24, 2012

Posted on January 25th, 2012 under only in ashland, people. Tags: beats antique, music, Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens. Comments Off on Beats Antique @ Ashland Armory

Brynna Dean of 100 Watt Mind

Nate Hurlocker normally plays the guitar for 100 Watt Mind. On this evening they were missing their bassist so he took over on bass and Brynna Dean played his guitar in addition to performing her normal, stunning vocals.

Skyler Squiglio and Brynna Dean

Posted on January 24th, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: 100 Watt Mind, concert photography, johnny b's, music. Comments Off on 100 Watt Mind @ Johnny B’s

Skyler Squiglio on guitar for 100 Watt Mind

After Fates Medallion left the stage at Johnny B’s, we were treated with 100 Watt Mind.

Brynna Dean has some amazing pipes. I’ll try to get some more photos of 100 Watt Mind up soon.

I did some more video experimentation. Next gig I’ll have the video nailed.

Posted on January 23rd, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: 100 Watt Mind, concert photography, johnny b's, medford, music, Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens, video. Comments Off on 100 Watt Mind (band)

Last night I headed up to Medford to check out some bands at Johnny B’s. I was planning on arriving at 9:30 or so for Tenguska, but the SOU Raiders basketball game was very exciting so I stayed until the end (a victory over a higher ranked team!). I ended up arriving at Johnny B’s as Tenguska was moving their stuff off the stage after their set.

Next up were Fates Medallion.

I did some experimentation with the audio on my camera by adding an external mic (Sennheiser MKE 400). The audio on the video below came out far better than the internal mic on my Nikon D7000 so I was happy. Even right next to the speaker the sound is pretty good. I set the volume on the external microphone to – and the sensitivity on my D7000 to Low in order to obtain these results. I was so focused on the audio that the visual aspect of this video isn’t great. The lighting was very poor and people were in my way, but things are occasionally in focus. Next time I will be able to focus on the video since I finally have the audio settings down.

Posted on January 22nd, 2012 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: fates medallion, johnny b's, music, Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens, video. Comments Off on Fates Medallion at Johnny B’s

Ashland Middle School Concert Band - winter concert at Ashland High School

Last week Ellie performed in the Ashland High School Theatre. Every seat was taken and we ended up way in the back. At 200mm (no crop) I was able to capture a bit of the action.

Posted on December 20th, 2011 under only in ashland, people. Tags: ellie, music, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II. Comments Off on AMS Concert Band

Nick on bass for Atriarch

Tenguska opened for the band I really went to see on Thursday night, Atriarch.

Atriarch's magic box - inside are the tools of distortion which can transport the careful listener into another realm

Brooks lights the ancient oak, filling the place with smoke before blackening his eyes with the ashes

Lenny on vocals for Atriarch

Brooks on guitar and Maxamillion on drums -- the drums were the only instrument that sounded anything like "normal"

Atriarch put on an incredible show. I only hope it isn’t the last time I get to experience the atmosphere they are able to create with their live performance.

Posted on December 11th, 2011 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: atriarch, concert photography, johnny b's, music, Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens, nikon d7000. Comments Off on Atriarch (band)

Tenguska (doom metal band from Ashland, Oregon)

Tenguska @ Johnny B's in Medford, Oregon

You can’t see him in these photos, but the Tenguska drummer, Garrison Mau, dedicated their performance to David Grubbs, his best friend.

Posted on December 10th, 2011 under outside of ashland, people. Tags: johnny b's, music, Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens, tenguska T3HGCKA. Comments Off on Tenguska (band)