say brother show may 2016 05132-3Say Brother and more at New Brookline Tavern - Photo by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford

I've been shooting shows at New Brookland Tavern in West Columbia since 1998. That's ridiculous and I don't know how I feel about that math. On my first visit with a camera the stage was where the soundboard is now and on my second visit Modern English was the headlining act.

Among other sources of creative inspiration, The Angry Whale has always motivated me to explore the different ways I can shoot a show and I'm going to fall on this here. Here's the first of a series of an unknown length where I just give y'all the details. I use an assortment of techniques but here are a few things I do on the regular. All photos from last night are shot on a Nikon D810 and a 70-200 VRII at F2.8. I've got two SB700 flash units in either corner of the stage near the ceiling secured with Manfrotto Justin Clamps. Flash units are fired with the built-in transmitter and set on manual output mode with outputs ranging from 1/64-1/128. The built-in pop-up commander flash is set to the -- mode. I don't know the name of that mode but it looks like "--" on the display. Exciting.

Above: (Say Brother) ISO: 800 - 1/200 sec. - stage right flash firing only

Below: (BASK) ISO: 1000 - 1/200 sec. - both flashes firing + random flash from person in crowd stage right - This doesn't happen all that often but the results can be interesting.

Say Brother Photos - Columbia SCSay Brother and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photo by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Say Brother Photos - Columbia SCSay Brother and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photo by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford

Above: (Carolyn) ISO: 800 - 1/250 sec. - both flashes firing

Below: (Say Brother) ISO: 800 - 1/200 sec. - both flashes firing

Say Brother Photos - Columbia SCSay Brother and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photo by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Say Brother Photos - Columbia SCSay Brother and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photo by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford

Above: (Culture Vulture) ISO: 6400 - 1/125 sec. - existing stage light only

Below: (Culture Vulture) ISO: 4000 - 1/250 sec. - existing stage light only

Say Brother Photos - Columbia SCSay Brother and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photo by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford Say Brother Photos - Columbia SCSay Brother and more at New Brookland Tavern - Photo by Columbia SC photographer Sean Rayford

Above: (BASK) ISO:800 - 1/160 sec. - existing stage light only

Trees on Mars played too but I got there too late for them.