Opening up for the ubiquitous Lady Gaga, Semi Precious proved their arena chops with a big dose of real rock ‘n roll. I’ve photographed a few bands in my time, but I have yet to see or shoot a band that I’ve had more fun shooting than SPW’s raw, unapologetic, and crassly fun live set. No, probably not even KISS.
Photographer’s Notes:
I’ve photographed Semi Precious Weapons everywhere from tiny basement dives to clubs and grungy theaters to gilded ones, but I was really curious about the shoot on the band’s arena tour with Lady Gaga.
When I heard that I had permission to shoot Semi Precious Weapons from the pit instead of the soundboard, where I was to photograph Lady Gaga, I was thrilled. The best part about it, though? Seeing my friends on that big stage, with an arena singing along to every word that came out of Justin’s mouth.
This shoot is either a cakewalk or a little challenging, depending on how you look at it. Between the spotlight, his posing, and on-stage antics, photographing singer Justin Tranter is just about as easy as breathing. The rest of the band are another matter entirely due to the very tricky lighting and constant movement. Drummer Dan Crean benefits from the second best light to Justin, but guitarist Stevy Pyne and Cole Whittle both receive more moody treatments on the sides of the stage.
Things to Catch:
There are too many great moments to list, but here are two notable things to watch for during SPW’s first three songs:
Stevy Pyne is a guitar hero (Click for a larger version)
Cameras Used:
Lenses Used:
For this set, I used the Nikon 70-200mm for the majority of my shooting – the telephoto range was great for close-ups of Justin, closing the gap, and for dealing with the high stage. However, when Justin came closer to pour champagne, the wider range of the Nikon 24-70mm came into full effect.
End Notes:
Big love to Semi Precious Weapons.
Comments & Feedback? Let ‘em rip.
Questions or comments? Leave a comment below, and let me know what you thought of this post.
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 at 3:58 pm and is filed under Music Photography and tagged with band, cole whittle, concert photography, dan crean, images, justin tranter, music photography, photos, rock, semi precious weapons, spw, stevy pyne. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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Wooaaa… Amazing photos, Todd. Thought they have attractive performances on stage and very lovable to shoot. What a great.
Hey Agung, thanks for the comment and perpetual support, I really appreciate it. These guys are lovable to shoot.
For the love of all that's awesome, look at @toddowyoung's photos of Semi Precious Weapons. Like, now. http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @jstoff: For the love of all that's awesome, look at @toddowyoung's photos of Semi Precious Weapons. Like, now. http://bit.ly/awNcLk
LOVE! RT @hndinglove: RT @jstoff For the love of all that's awesome, @toddowyoung's photos of Semi Precious Weapons. http://bit.ly/awNcLk
When people ask me who my favorite band to photograph is, I tell them: Semi Precious Weapons http://bit.ly/cqQzbe
RT: @toddowyoung: When people ask me who my favorite band to photograph is, I tell them: Semi Precious Weapons http://bit.ly/cqQzbe
RT @toddowyoung When people ask me who my favorite band to photograph is, I tell them: Semi Precious Weapons http://bit.ly/cqQzbe
RT @toddowyoung: When people ask me who my favorite band to photograph is, I tell them: Semi Precious Weapons http://bit.ly/cqQzbe
Wow!! RT @toddowyoung When people ask me who my favorite band to photograph is, I tell them: Semi Precious Weapons http://bit.ly/cqQzbe
Todd! It has been forever since I’ve had the chance to chat with you, but for some reason I just knew that you would be at this show and I’m so glad you were. The shots are beautiful as always. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. You really know your stuff.
I didn’t have tickets to the show but was able to stop by and say hello to Justin, Dan, Cole, and Stevy outside of the venue when they were giving away tickets. (I was two away from winning them! Arg!) It was great getting to see them again and to be surrounded by fans who had never met them and get to see Semi Precious through their eyes. There was the cutest girl who was so happy to be meeting them that she was shaking and crying. While I’ve never experienced that with Semi Precious, I have felt it when meeting my favorite actor for the first time so I know how she felt and it was awesome to see. Especially knowing how hard this group has worked to experience that themselves.
Hope to see you soon and keep cranking out the amazing work!
Hey Amy,
Thanks very much for the comment. If these guys are playing near me, I’m there. Sorry to hear you didn’t get to catch the show, but if you’ve seen them play here before, I’m sure you were hugely closer. It’s just another world with these arena tours. Thanks again.
Thanks! RT @jstoff: For the love of all that's awesome, look at @toddowyoung's photos of @preciousweapons. Like, now. http://bit.ly/awNcLk
Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
they're phitt RT @preciousweapons : Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
RT @preciousweapons: Amazing pics of our show in St Louis by Todd Owyoung! http://bit.ly/awNcLk
@DakotaStew they are like friends to Gaga and monsters as well the lead singer is quite unique check them out if u like http://bit.ly/cqQzbe
Hey Todd, great Semi Precious Weapons’ set once again.
I can get why you love shooting them so much. They seem to provide a massive show and you always get awesome shots of them.
It’s a pretty stellar set, but I gotta point out the 18th shot (on the slideshow). I just love his rocking pose.
Cheers,
Daniel
Hey Daniel,
Thanks very much for the comment, always nice to hear from you here. SPW just have such a fantastic energy, they all make great subjects. What’s even better is knowing that these guys worked so hard to get where they are now, having played to crowds a tiny fraction of what they do now.
Hey Todd – was it you or everyone in the pit – was it whole show?
Hi Taylor,
I was in the pit for three songs. None of the other three credentialed photographers shot Semi Precious Weapons.
Photos: Semi Precious Weapons – http://b2l.me/abp5yq