For a $10 hip hop show, this is a sure-fire win with headlining act Abstract Rude putting it down for all of the true hip hop heads out there in the Reno-Sparks-Carson City areas. Another quality event presented at the intimate, fan-friendly Victorian Square venue, The Alley by local hip hop site 775hiphop.com. Head down early and hit up Cantina Los Tres Hombres and/or Great Basin Brewing Company for some delicious eats and pre-concert drinks, as you’ll need to build up energy levels for dancing and/or fist pumping at the show.
Its not everyday that you see someone wearing a gas mask. In fact, the last time I saw someone wearing a gas mask was during a zombie apocalypse film; and truthfully, civilization just isn’t to that point yet. Realistically, I probably just need to go to Burning Man, and then this might not seem so extraordinary to me. On the other hand, during that rainy evening of Sunday, June 5th, it was pure magic.
As the show began, DJ Boogie Blind (X-Ecutioners), MeLa Machinko and Showtyme took the stage in saluting poses, the crowd packed in tightly against the monitors and our shutter began clicking away. After a quick swipe from stage right to center and back again, I was in the perfect position to capture Pharoahe Monch’s arrival, gas mask and all.
In the two earlier postings from the evening of June 5th, I had noted that the venue was quite dark, especially if the performer(s) didn’t step all the way up to the front of the stage, extending themselves over the monitors. This did make for a challenging shoot, but luckily I was prepared for the worst, and hoping for the best.
That being said, I found that while shooting on my Nikon D7000 (Nikon 50mm f/1.8D lens) it was important to keep the aperture wide open at 1.8, my shutter speed relatively fast at 1/250th of a second and the ISO cranked up to 3200. Admittedly, my thumb did take the shutter speed up a little bit accidentally at a couple moments in the evening (1/200th of a second was the fastest I noted), which may or may not be represented in one or more shots in the full gallery.
There are several crowd shots also included in the gallery, as there was an obvious and direct connection between those performing on-stage and the excitement found in the air, shared throughout the room. In short, this was a show to remember for everyone in attendance, for a period lasting no less than a lifetime.
DJ Boogie Blind of X-Ecutioners rockin' the wheels of steel...MeLa Machinko performing alongside Pharoahe Monch at The Underground...Showtyme laying down soulful vocals alongside Pharoahe Monch on June 5th...Pharoahe Monch taking full control of the mic, the audience and the room...Always in touch with the audience, Pharoahe Monch keeps it rockin'...The gas mask comes back out...
Camera(s) Used:
Nikon D7000
Lens(es) Used:
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D
Go On, Treat Yourself to Something Nice!
Do you buy stuff online? Do you buy camera stuff online? If this post or anything else on ishootreno.com was helpful to you, please consider supporting this site and making your next photo gear, music or general purchase through one of our affiliate links:
Every time our readers buy new gear through our affiliate links, it helps us bring to the table more of that which brought you here in the first place — the ‘money’ shots!
The best part?! It doesn’t cost our readers anything extra to show their support!
If our readers do pick up some new gear, please drop us a line … we always love to hear about your new additions!
Comments, Praise, Feedback? We’re all ears!
Please let us know what you thought of this post on ishootreno.com!
Super-Happy Fun Bonus Pic!!!
Reno knows how to party, even on a rainy Sunday night...
