Poles, Pool Tables and People

Taking photo's with a pocket camera proved to be an exercise in frustration.  You probably had a similar experience - you get back home after a night of snapping great shots of bands and friends only to discover that 80% of the pictures need to be deleted due to underexposure, blurr or light streaks.  So I upgraded to a DSLR that had a much stronger flash and only snaps the picture when the camera thinks the lighting is just right.  Now that I had overcome the obstacle of darkness, I find myself running into new obstacles. 

Many of the bars and restaurants hosting bands were built without the intention of making room for the entertainment.  When they decide that a band will bring in more customers, they block off an area where tables used to be and tell the band to set up.  Unfortunately, that often means no dance floors, no riser stage, poles, pool tables and walls blocking clear views - all obstacles for the "perfect' shot. 

And if the fixed objects weren't enough, the amount of room between the bands and the crowds of people enjoying the entertainment draws to a matter of inches, there isn't much room for a photographer to get in between.  This weekend, I discovered a new appreciation for those "in the biz" who need to get the perfect shot for publication.   I don't know how they do it, but I'm learning.  Climbing stools and tables to get the right angle can be embarassing but not as bad as having a wall block half the shot.  I'm still new at this but give me some time and I'll get it right.  In the meantime, enjoy the shots I do manage to get, good or bad, and keep supporting the bands that work hard to entertain, no matter how tight a squeeze it might be.