Apocalyptica: Portraits

10.07.08 | 28 Comments

Apocalyptica @ Pointfest

Just prior to their performance, I had the opportunity to photograph the Finnish cello metal band Apocalyptica backstage at Pointfest. Here are a few shots from the shoot.

Apocalyptica @ Pointfest

Photographer’s Notes:

Big shout out to Apocalyptica for this one. I caught the guys just before they took the stage and they were great subjects. We did a very quick group shot before doing individual portraits.

I can’t say enough about how nice these guys were. Earlier in the day, when I was setting up to photograph another band, Paavo even offered to help stand in so I could set the lights. What a guy.

Apocalyptica @ Pointfest

This was shot with ambient light, no flashes.

Apocalyptica @ Pointfest

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28 Comments Add your own

1. Eric Hamilton | October 7th, 2008 at 1:10 am

Those guys are so metal.
2. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 1:16 am

Totally. And really nice guys, too.
3. Dan | October 7th, 2008 at 3:03 am

Hey Todd,

If I got you right, you didn’t plan on this shooting but as the band agreed, you just took this opportunity right before they hit the stage.
In that case I’m really impressed about what you made of this sponatneous situation!

Great band shots!

Dan
4. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 6:42 am

Hey Dan,

It was really quick set up and we shot right before the guys went on stage. Everyone in the band was really nice, particularly Paavo and Toryn Green.
5. Jason Sheesley | October 7th, 2008 at 7:20 am

Nice to see another aspect of your work. Tons of personality in those shots.

I think you became more metal just by taking their picture.
6. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 8:44 am

Hey Jason, thanks for the comment. These guys had personality enough for several bands, they were great subjects and I’d love to photograph them again sometime – both onstage and off.
7. Karen | October 7th, 2008 at 9:32 am

Great photographs! I’ve been a fan for a long time (unusual in the US!), and you said it right: they have enough personality for several bands.

They are some of the nicest guys in the world, and Toryn Green (from Fuel) fits in perfectly. I wouldn’t want them with a permanent singer, but he does a remarkable job, and his personality meshes well with theirs.

So thanks for the excellent pics!
8. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 9:50 am

Hey Karen, it’s great to hear from a fan of the group, I’m glad to hear you like the shots.

All the band members were really nice, and I chatted with Paavo for a minute earlier in the day. I was setting up for another shoot and he actually came over and asked if I needed any help or wanted him to stand in while I set the lights. It really doesn’t get any nicer than that!

I agree, Toryn fits in with them. Great guys.
9. Rose | October 7th, 2008 at 11:07 am

Awsome pictures!! I have also been an Apocalyptica fan from way back.. You said “a few” where are the rest of them? will you share them with us as well?
10. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 11:08 am

Hey Rose, thanks! These are a selection of my favorite images, though I do have a few more. Let me see what I can do.

Please check back later today, and in the meantime, feel free to share the link with any fans you know who might like them as well. :)
11. Keith | October 7th, 2008 at 11:09 am

I dig number 3. Pretty badass!
12. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 11:11 am

Thanks, Keith, that shot of Toryn is one of my favorites from the set. He was a great subject.
13. Tim | October 7th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Great photos. What was you lighting setup for these?
14. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Hey Tim, the lighting set up for these shots was just two SB-600s fired into 45″ umbrellas, triggered with the SB-900. The 600s were on either side of the subjects.
15. Lisa | October 7th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

Stunning shots! I too am a long time fan and it’s great to see them gaining popularity in the US! They’re incredible guys and very down to earth.
16. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Thanks, Lisa. The band put on a great show. I’d been wanting to see them for a while, and couldn’t make their show at Pop’s earlier this year. Very glad I got to catch their set and photograph them at Pointfest.
17. Jessie | October 7th, 2008 at 4:23 pm

you should shoot more of these in the future lol
the last one is pretty cool
18. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

Apparently! All the feedback has been on the portraits, rather than the live shots. I think I’ve got the domain name all wrong.

Thanks, Jessie!
19. Tasha | October 7th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

The perspectives on the last two are amazing. Seriously.
20. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm

Hey Tasha, thanks for the comment. That’s the 14-24mm for you.
21. Chris | October 7th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

Such sick shots.

One guess as to which one is my favorite?

And I love the lighting — care to spill on their arrangements?

3 is sick, but you know I love the last 2, especially the last one. How close did you get with that lens? If you aren’t centimeters from his face, you just aren’t using it right!
22. Todd | October 7th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

Hey Chris, thanks for the comment. The lighting for this was super simple, see comment #14.

It was funny, whenever I pulled out the 14-24, a member of the band would invariably say, “fisheye!” It happened for every band I shot, I think.
23. Anna-Marie | October 10th, 2008 at 10:10 am

Hi Todd:

These are great! I agree the lighting is phenomenal. The warmth reflected is also a good metaphor for their personalities as well. Great guys!

I hope one day my photos can be half as good as yours! :)

Kittos!
24. Todd | October 10th, 2008 at 10:15 am

Hi Anna-Marie, thanks for the kind words, glad to hear you like the shots!
25. Daniel | October 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm

Damn … sick session. Great portraits.

Cheers,
Daniel
26. Todd | October 11th, 2008 at 10:24 am

Hey Daniel, thanks for your comment.
27. CH | October 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

Awesome photos, thanks so much for sharing these!
28. Todd | October 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

Hey CH, thanks, glad to share these images.

speak up

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Apocalyptica @ Pointfest