This page tells you everything you need to know about Doc and Barfly Photo. Specifically:

BUYING SHOTS : if you would like information on purchasing any of the images found in Doc's gallery, go to BUYING SHOTS.

DOING SHOTS: if you are interested in hiring Doc to do some shots with you or you and your band, click DOING SHOTS for basic information on the shot process and how to contact Doc.

SHOT PRICES: this is a list of shot specials and prices that Doc charges to do shots.

SHOTS 101: if you have never hired a band photographer, read this section; it contains information on factors both you and the photographer should consider when thinking about band photography.

BUYING SHOTS:

All of the images found in Doc's galleries are available in limited edition prints. Your image will be printed by a photo lab on true photographic paper, not on "Photo Quality" inkjet paper. You have your choice of Glossy (F) or Lustre (E) surface printing. (Lustre is a matte surface).

	First Print Prices:	Second+ Prices:
8" x 10" or 8" x 12" print:	$20	$ 10
11" x 14" print:	$30	$15
16" x 20" print:	$40	$24

Postage and Handling:

Prints 11 x 14 and smaller are sent via first-class mail in a rigid PhotoMailer. Prints larger than 11 x 14 are mailed in a crush resistant tube. The charge for sending prints in either a PhotoMailer or a tube is $6.00 (total) for up to four prints (they can be different images). If you are in the Denver area, you can also contact Doc to arrange to pick up the prints and save the shipping fees.

Ordering:

The best way to order prints is to contact Doc by email at Doc@BarflyPhoto.com, or by telephone at 1-720-938-1690. Barfly Photo accepts checks, cash, and money orders. Make checks payable to Kent Wilson.

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DOING SHOTS:

Doc is available to do shots most anywhere, anytime (except, of course, when he is doing shots with someone else)! The majority of his band shots are done during performances. Promo pack shots (generally non-performance shots) can be taken almost anywhere. To arrange for a possible shoot, contact Doc by email at Doc@BarflyPhoto.com, or by telephone at 1-720-938-1690. Because Doc is a band photographer, please call after noon if possible!

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SHOT PRICES:

The following are Doc's fees for doing shots at either a gig or at a location (i.e., for a promo pack shot):

Basic Shot: $120 (and two drinks). Doc will take pictures during your entire set. The exact number of shots taken will vary depending on the length of your set and the logistics of the venue (see “Shots 101” below) but you can expect between 50 and 70 shots (often more). If you are playing a short set, Doc will be glad, at the same location, to toss in some promo shots before or after the set (the band, the band and friends, etc). You will receive all of the images (the good, bad, and ugly) on a CD in your choice of format; jpeg, tiff, etc. (Images will be large – 3072 x 2046 pixels). The images will be UNEDITED, so you will have to rotate, crop, lighten, etc. on your own.

Basic Shot plus Digital Editing: $150 (and two drinks). This includes the Basic Shot plus two sessions of digital editing. Doc will take the initial shots, rotate them as needed, and burn them on a CD in both a large format (3072 x 2046 pixels) and as thumbnails (email and web size – 600 x 400 pixels). After you review the images, Doc will edit up to four of the images (up to one hour of editing time) and burn both large and thumbnails on your CD.

Digital Editing: Doc can also provide digital editing/enhancement and photo retouching of any images you already have for $45 an hour.

FILM – Doc went digital in January of 2005. He still has his film equipment and will shoot with film on request. Prices are the same as listed above plus $10 for the cost of CD transfer. You will receive one set of 4” x 6” prints in addition the CD, but the number of shots will fall to between 30 and 50.

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SHOTS 101:

If you have never used a professional band photographer, here are some factors you should be aware of and consider:

The Photographer: Make sure your photographer knows how to shoot bands. Beware of photographers with lots of expensive equipment, but no real experience in photographing live music. Check out their advertising and website and see if they say anything about music; or are they really a wedding, little league, or high school graduation photographer. Ask them what venues and clubs they've worked in, and what bands they have photographed. Most importantly, ask what they've done with bands you know, and ask your fellow musicians.

The Venue: If you want live performance shots, you (or your photographer) will need to know the size and elevation of the stage, the dimensions and visual barriers of the room, and the house lighting system. A wide, elevated stage such as found at Herman’s makes it very difficult to get a shot of the entire band unless the photographer has a very wide lense. Dim lighting like the Soiled Dove or the Larimer Lounge may require the use of a flash unless a very low f-stop or image stabilization lense in used. Supporting girders, center posts and low ceilings create obtrusive elements in the image. Working with the band, the lighting personnel and the house management can help an experienced band photographer to overcome these obstacles.

Stage Dress: A light-skinned singer (especially redheads) wearing a black or dark outfit comes out pasty white no matter how much correction (film push/pull) is used. Similarly, a black performer wearing a white outfit comes out too dark for facial detail. Band members wearing wildly differing colors and patterns can come out looking chaotic and disorganized. Colors within a reasonable film temperature range are far more compatible for photography. This does not mean that everyone needs to wear the same colors. The film color temperature for red and green, for example, is very close.

The Crowd: Getting a shot of the entire band is very difficult if friends, fans, and dancers hit the floor the moment the band hits the stage. If you know this will be the case and you want a clean shot of the entire band, you may have to consider doing much of the shoot during sound check. If, on the other hand, you want the crowd included, shots can be taken from the side or from an elevated camera position.

The Management: While it is rarely and issue, it is the performer's responsibility to make sure the venue will allow photography and the use of a flash. The band must also let the manager or owner know that a photographer is coming and put the photographer on the guest list.

Your Expectations: Whole band photography is a difficult task for even the most experienced band photographer. It is generally easy to get good photos of an individual performer, but trying to get a good shot of an entire group is hard. Consequently, most band photographers, including Doc, are happy to get three or four good "whole band" shots out of an entire evening of shooting live music. While you can and should expect to get good shots of the individual band members, do not expect perfection in every shot.

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Email Doc: Doc@BarflyPhoto.com