I was contacted by a gentleman named Tom. Turns out Tom found my blog about his home/live music venue Snack Manor. And even better, he liked it.

Tom asked if I would be willing to attend another show, but with the understanding that I would take a whole helluva lot of pictures. I was flattered and agreed. Free show and great practice? Don’t mind if I do!

As a side note (and another reminder of how good to me Jeff is) I bought a new lens online. A fixed focus that would help with the low light. I really really really wanted this before the show, it showed up less than 24 hours after I ordered it because Jeff paid the 40 bucks to overnight it. Thanks Jeff!!!

So anyway. Point being – this was my first outing with this brand new lens.

I packed it up, threw on my boots and made the trek over to pick up Sisco. My escort for the evening.

Out of 700 photos I picked out 100 to give to Tom. And 15 to display. I tried to pick not only the better images but the ones that I felt captured the energy of the event, venue and people.

I pumped the ISO all the way up, resulting in the grit of the noise and the ability to get a faster speed. There is also no post production. These are the raw photos as they were intended. This isn’t a normal shooting style for me. But I really think it fits here. The program mode was too slow for me, so I keep it on 1/2 shutter speed for the band shots and 1/30 for the shots around the room.

I felt welcomed into a home with my quite intrusive camera.

Best low light practice ever.

Thank you Tom and all of Snack Manor!

GOOD NIGHT CHICAGO!!!

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Joanne Dill from Thunderhole

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