For John Mayer’s Battle Studies Tour 2010, the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 proved to be the perfect lens on the Nikon D3.
Photographer’s Notes:
With John Mayer set back roughly two meters from the edge of the 5-foot high stage, I found that the Nikon D3 and 70-200mm f/2.8 were the perfect lens for this concert.
Light levels were generally quite good, with plenty of light to shoot at ISO 1600 with no real concern about shutter speed. I think it would have been possible to shoot at ISO 800, too, with ease, but the image quality at ISO 1600 is so good on the D3 and D700 that I didn’t worry about it.
John Mayer doesn’t move around too much on stage due to his vocal duties, and even his guitar solos took place mostly at or around the mic. The few times he did move to the front of the stage, there was oddly only atmospheric lighting – no spots or any other appreciable front lighting.
Overall, lots of backlighting and opportunities for flare, but also a nice, leisurely shoot of three songs.
For me, one thing to always consider when photographing John Mayer is his guitar faces. I think he ranks right up there (but probably slightly below) Dave Matthews for the myriad faces he pulls.
This entry was posted on Sunday, March 21st, 2010 at 12:45 pm and is filed under Music Photography and tagged with 2010, battle studies, images, john mayer, live, music photography, photography, photos, scottrade, tour. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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I wasn’t there but like John Mayer alot. Great pictures, seems the lighting was just perfect for each photo :)
Hey Janessa, thanks for the comment. The lighting for John Mayer was pretty good – a little weird at times with strange color tints, but overall pretty bright and with nice effects. Cheers.
Very nice. Who were you shooting for? Our you with a wire service? I REALLY need to get with one!
I had a photo pass for the Houston show and it was a dream come true to shoot since I’m a long time fan and I’ve been to over 20 of his concerts including his last cruise. I was sick the night of the show, but I believe I still pulled off some great shots. I might shoot the Chicago show as well!
Great work as always!! I hope to get the chance to meet you sometime and talk shop!
Hey Trish,
Thanks for the comment. I don’t shoot for an agency, this was for a publication.
20 John Mayer Concerts is a lot! Good luck with photographing his Chicago show – hope that works out for you. If you ever see me in the pit some day, say hi.
Some nice shots, Todd. I’m not a fan of him as a person, but he’s a great player, and you rose to the challenge of the less-than-dynamic positions nicely.
Hey Doug,
Yes, the stage position of Mayer meant that moving around and waiting for times of greater dynamism were important. He always seemed to rock out a few times per song (which were generally long, or felt like it anyway), so those were always something to look forward to and try to catch. Cheers.
RT @toddowyoung: The 100 faces of John Mayer: Photos from the Battles Studies 2010 tour. http://bit.ly/dxsaYn
Awesome. RT @toddowyoung: The 100 faces of John Mayer: Photos from the Battles Studies 2010 tour. http://bit.ly/dxsaYn
The 100 faces of John Mayer: Photos from the Battles Studies 2010 tour. http://bit.ly/dxsaYn (via @toddowyoung)
Another set of Awesome pics @toddowyoung: The 100 faces of John Mayer: Photos from the Battles Studies2010 tour. http://bit.ly/dxsaYn
RT @toddowyoung: The 100 faces of John Mayer: Photos from the Battles Studies 2010 tour. http://bit.ly/dxsaYn
John Mayer is incredible. I’ve been a huge fan of his since he first started and have been to every St. Louis show he’s ever had… he’s never disappointed. He really knows how to put on a show :) Amazing pictures once again!
Hi Heather,
Thanks for the kind words, glad to hear you like these images. Looks like JM got a lot of love from the fans at this show.
Just relived @johncmayer in photos! RT @toddowyoung The 100 faces of John Mayer: Photos from Battles Studies 2010 tour. http://bit.ly/dxsaYn
RT @toddowyoung The 100 faces of John Mayer: Photos from Battles Studies 2010 tour. http://bit.ly/dxsaYn
I’m very impressed with your photos concert.
Comparing your pictures to my I can say that I am totally an amateur!
How are you doing?
Please betray their secrets of my master.
Hi Przemek,
Music photography secrets? You can see the how-to & technique section of posts here:
http://ishootshows.com/category/technique/
Thanks for the kind words.
Dear Master of all things shows and catchin’ the eermmm faces of the master of guitar and luv makin muzic and luv makin faces – JOHN ‘the GOD’ MAYER.
pls. if you do click on my linkie – don’t judge…
I am a fan of both John and you Todd – and don’t want to jump on the wagon, just wanna lurk in the ambient light of my monitor and dream of doing what you do.
You are so lucky, I know it’s hard work with just a bit of luck involved. It’s all talent.
However, you have the best job in the world.
And Johns guitar faces are the ishhhh!
randy a girl it makes! in Yoda speak.
Anyways.
Nuff said.
16 is really funny http://tinyurl.com/ygz863n #johnmayerguitarface
Thanks Todd
I read everything that is in the technique section.
To my surprise I do almost everything as have described.
And my pictures did not look as good as yours.
Perhaps the fault of ill-lit concerts in Poland and I’m weak in the processing of digital images.
If you do not make you the problem and find a moment of time look at my photos and write me a few words about them.
http://picasaweb.google.pl/przemeksikora.com
Nice set Todd. Did you shoot the opener, Michael Franti and Spearhead?
Awesome shots Todd. The lighting looks pretty optimal and it seems as though you used it to your advantage.
Great job!
Kyle
todd,
great shots as usual. hey, what software do you use for your rights/licensing/usage calculator thingy? that’s pretty nifty. i’m a newbie at usage rights and pricing in today’s market.
c
Great set Todd. I’m a big fan of your work and silent student of yours. Best regards from rainy Poland.
DiableAuCorps,
Thanks very much, I appreciate the comment, and thanks for the support.
[...] up for John Mayer on the Battle Studies Tour 2010, Michael Franti & Spearhead delivered an explosive performance on stage in the way any great [...]
Great Job Todd.., It’s really a great job..!, you didn’t use another lens to shoot John? like you wide lens or 24-70?
Hi Budi,
I did use other lenses – all of them – but the 70-200mm did most of the work here.
I shot him up in Jax last month. Usually, when I shoot a band I notice in post weird or funny faces that they made which I captured. However, JM made the most amazing faces the whole time- enough where I thought, ‘wow, what a face, I better get that.’ He does not hide his emotions whatsoever. Looks like you caught a few of them, too!
Ooops, I left this off. This was an amazing face that I got:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eeek5127/4336767044/
Hey Todd,
I’m a huge fan of both you and John Mayer haha anyways…
I’m a junior in highschool, and i’m in the process of getting my photography portfolio together. I hope to become a some type of concert photographer one day. I know that’s a stretch, but concert photography is my passion. I just recently found out that John Mayer is coming into town in September, and I was wondering if you know if there is any type of possibility that i could be granted a photo pass for the show. I would love for him to be a part of my portfolio.
I am amazed by the quality of the picture you took, Todd (:,, ey do you have inlay pictures from john mayer’s battle studies album?
http://ishootshows.com/2010/03/21/photos-john-mayer-battle-studies-tour/ You must see the photoshelter! ohmy!-,- growsome!
@nataw For you :* http://ishootshows.com/2010/03/21/photos-john-mayer-battle-studies-tour/
Fantastic photos. I’m heavily pushing myself further into live music photography and your photos are certainly great inspiration!