Shot with an 85 mm portrait lens



April 25, 2008 - Last night, pianist and composer Geoffrey Gee performed on  an acoustic piano and on a new virtual instrument he designed called the Plectrum. Gee, who co-founded the Hebron Hollow Farm for Arts and Ideas (www.vitalartsmedia.com) performed in the Fellowship Hall of the Argyle, N.Y., Presbyterian Church in Argyle, N.Y. The concert was sponsored by the Argyle Free Library, and Gee drew a full house.
  The music was beautiful and innovative, and I had e-mailed Gee and asked if I could come and take photos. I knew he was talented, and I wanted the challenge of capturing so animated and impassioned a performer.
  I wanted a sense of the small hall, but mostly, I wanted to show the feeling Gee brings to his work. I also want to take photos of more community events, an opportunity for me to grow as a photographer and also work on capturing a sense of place.
  I brought much of my arsenal with me. I decided to go with the 16-35 mm for the room and crowd shots, and the 85 mm portrait lens for close-ups of Gee performing, and the 180 mm for face shows that hopefully captured his raw and powerful emotions.
  I had to be careful about distracting Gee or the audience, while changing lenses rapidly.
  I do wish I had three cameras, as quiet and quick lens changes are difficult, and also distracting when I am concentrating on light and settings. I couldn't use a flash, so I knew the fast 16-35 mm, designed for low-light indoor shooting would work. It did.
  I felt pretty good about these photos, and hope to do more events like this, and it was a pleasure to listen to Gee and watch the passion of an artist performing. I appreciate the opportunity.