backgrounds on band promo shoots are so important, sticking a band in a park or woods just isn't exciting enough. whilst you have avoided the clichéd brick wall, don't be afraid to experiment with the brick wall, particularly if it is an interesting brick wall )

Gareth has covered most of the issues. The sundial image is the most interesting for me, they are relaxed, there is a focal point, the sundial. The problem I have with it is the framing is to far to the left, there is a space around the person on the right, yet the girl is chopped off. Also the feet have been chopped off.

Also converting to black & white is a mistake, if the band need a black & white photo then supply images in both colour & black & white. For promo use there is a strong chance the band would send these to the local press to promote their latest show. unfortunately the majority of local rags will not use black & white images, so for the band these would be of not much use, except maybe for posters or cd covers.

If you look at a lot of promo band photos you will notice most band members are in a straight line, this keeps ALL the band in focus, most have lots of space around them to put titles & gig dates in, most are in colour.

Here are some examples of promo shoots I have done for a local band. Most of these where shot after gigs with seconds to set up. So always be looking for locations, always be looking for ideas.

These are all of the same band so you get ideas about using & finding different locations. These where shot in Grimsby & Manchester.

Hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread...
















Final shot which the band submitted to the local rag with text about an up and coming gig they had on, after this ad more than 300 people showed up, which for Grimsby is a big gig...

Love the editing on that, very well put together

Another great set Smeggy, I love 5 & 20, the colours in 20 are great

Instead of focusing on the eye, focus on the eyebrow instead, the eye is generally furthest back part of the face where as the eyebrow brings more of the face into focus. I know it sounds daft but it does work, a top photographer gave me that tip..

I used to shoot gigs with a manual focus m 50mm 1.7 when I was first starting & know just how difficult it is.

True true true

Thanks for all the nice comments...

Next stop Glastonbury, especially looking forward to shooting U2 & Beyonce... Fingers crossed it stays dry...

I liked number 2 as it was, I would have cloned out the white paint chips though as they are a little distracting & boosted the blue a little more.

3 & 4 for me.

Which focusing mode are you using & on which parts of the face are you focusing on???

Image tells a story & the coloured grass helps tell that story, I really like like it.

There is some great images being made out there. Do I think I will never be that good??? Yes with practice & perseverance.

I see the old PP conundrum has popped its head around the door again. Just accept that every professional image you see has some post processing.

Great photography should inspire & motivate people, I keep looking at Rankin's images of Adele in this months Q & just think wow that is some photography going on there. Now I love rankin's work anyhow but those Adele images are something else, if you have seen Adele in the flesh you will appreciate just how much work went into that shoot..