Photo Review: CARR at The Fonda Theatre

CARR (the moniker for Carly McClellan) dance-bounced her way across the stage throughout her set at The Fonda Theatre. She was one of the opening acts for The Cab. You can read my US Rocker Music review of the night here. In many ways, she reminds me of a favorite band The Dollyrots. 

CARR at The Fonda Theatre

Every so often, my fellow DIY photographers will ask why I don't shoot the larger venues. The answer is that I do shoot the larger venues. I just don't do it that frequently. I would shoot at larger venues (I'd define larger venues at being a capacity of at least 750), but my success rate at getting approved for a photo pass is probably 50-50. In fact, I even told people that if The Greek Theatre offered to make me the official photographer for a season, I'd take the offer. Heck, I might even quit my real life job just so that I wouldn't face burn out. But yes, I am mainly known for shooting the local DIY scene. When I got approved to shoot The Fonda Theatre I was excited. One reason is that it is far easier to take photos at a larger venue than at a DIY venue. Why? I don't shoot with flash so larger venues have better stage lights. That means I can easily take up the shutter speed and lower the ISO.  

Interestingly, my camera settings did not fit those criteria for this specific photo. For this photo, the shutter speed was set at 1/320. When it comes to these larger venues, I'd rather have a default of 1/400 as bands are often putting on a stage show that requires a fast shutter speed. The ISO is at 5000. Now that isn't outrageous. I'll often take the shutter speed up to 12800 when shooting at Zebulon (a favorite DIY venue that loves their low lights). Yet, I'd prefer something below that number.  

What do I like about this photo? What I noticed immediately during the set was that McClellan dance-bounced her way from one end of the stage to the other throughout (I was in the photo pit and was allowed to be in there for the first 3 songs). I knew I wanted to capture a cool photo of her making her way across the stage. The photo shows her at the start of a turn, ready to make her way to the other side of the stage. I like how the lights on the stage floor are her yellow brick road the other side. 

Carr setlist: Spiral City, Alien Rat Boyfriend, Hardcore!, 3rd Date, Carrtoons, Loser, Bang It Out, Mud, Sick Bro.