Memphis held it’s 27th International Blues Challenge this past week. It was a fun event to photograph, but also challenging with the lights. Lighting is always different from venue to venue, and you will need to experiment with flash to balance ambient light with your flash. Sometimes full power, sometimes 1/2 or 1/4, even down to 1/8 power. If you choose a higher ISO beware of the noise that will enter into your picture. Use a fast lens, 2.8 or faster.

• 110 bands
• 80 solo/duo acts
• 30 youth acts
• 700 musicians
• 510 performances
• Representing 40 states and 13 countries. Some of the countries were Australia, Canada, France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, Croatia, Israel, Poland, Italy, and Finland.

This took place in four days and five nights on Beale Street, Feb 1-5th.

Lisa Mann is bass player of the year.

Andre plays in the Lionel Young Band

 

This band is from France and was band of the year by the Cognac Blues Festival, and opened for B.B. King.

 

 

 

 

John is a Grammy Award Winner  & John Carney won the International Blues Competition in 2007.

 

Sean Carney IBC 2007 Winner & Karen Lovely – Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist.

 

 

What are some of your tips on photographing bands?