Arena - New Seattle Band
Arena played their first show in Sumner, Washington. The band comprises the same talented group as my previous post, 80’s Ladies.
I was invited to shoot this show to help the band create content for social media and marketing. The venue — Purdy’s Public House in Sumner—was a challenging one to shoot in. When I arrived about an hour early, the place was already packed, and the main lot was full. That was my first sign that this was going to be a high-energy night.
Arena brings the best of arena rock to the stage, covering bands like Def Leppard, Scorpions, and Aerosmith. Their setlist turned out to be the perfect mix for both the crowd and the venue.
With a small stage and a packed floor, I knew shooting here would be a challenge—but I was ready for it.
First off, I always like to get everything dialed in with the exposure settings and knew I would be shooting with three lenses this time. The 24-120 Nikon Z Lens, 85mm 1.8 Z lens and once of my favorite lenses to shoot with a 10.5mm f/2.8 lens This fisheye lens has been my go-to for band shoots for over 15 years, perfect for tight spaces and still delivering incredible results. The only challenge? It’s manual focus on my Nikon Z8 body, which meant a few missed shots—but when it nailed the focus, the results were worth it!
I double-checked my sensor to make sure there were no dust spots—because editing them out later is a real pain. A lot of people are afraid to clean their sensors, but modern cameras have protective glass, making it much safer with a proper sensor cleaning kit. This can save countless hours in editing time, by taking two minutes to clean the sensor.
Once the band started playing, I saw the crowd already hitting the dance floor. I knew it was only going to get tighter in a few songs, so I took the opportunity to grab those crucial shots while I still had room to move.
Darlene Tyler shot with the 24-120mm at 120mm - ISO 2500 - 1/125 sec @ f/4
Tina Hart shot with 24-120mm @ 120mm - ISO 2500 - 1/125 sec - -0.33 exposure comp @ f/4. I was seeing some of the highlights getting blown out so I used a minus 1/3 stop to reduce those highlights.
Monty Smith shot with the 24-120mm lens at 120mm - ISO 2500 - 1/80 sec @ f/4
Craig (CJ) McRae Drums shot with 24-120mm @ 120mm - ISO 2500 - 1/160 sec - -0.33 exposure comp @ f/4.
Tommy Wall shot with 24-120mm @ 120mm - ISO 2500 - 1/160 sec - -0.33 exposure comp @ f/4.
Shooting With the 10.mm Fisheye Lens
Time to have some fun! With the crowd packed at the stage, I pulled out my 10.5mm fisheye to capture those dynamic, ultra-wide shots—perfect for a smaller venue like this.
Monty always knows how to play up to the camera—we’ve developed almost a non-verbal rhythm for capturing the perfect shot. And when I stick the lens super close, he knows it’s showtime!
Below are just a few of my favorites shot with the Fisheye Lens.
Back to the 85mm Portrait Lens
I love the 85mm portrait lens—not only is it great for portraits, but it also works well as a midrange lens in a venue like this. I could weave through the crowd and still get solid framing, like this shot of Tommy.
All in all, it was a fantastic crowd. As I worked my way through, people were great about letting me slip into spots to grab the shots I needed.
One of the things I truly love about live music is its power to bring people together. It doesn’t matter what race, background, political stance, or any of the labels society or the media may use to divide us. When the music starts, it unites us all. Live music transcends those boundaries, creating a shared experience that everyone can enjoy. I feel incredibly fortunate to have a front-row seat to this, working with the bands and witnessing the joy and connection it sparks—seeing people from all walks of life come together in harmony.
Live music is an experience like no other—it's not just about the sound, but the energy, the connection, and the community that forms when the crowd comes together. Whether you're into rock, jazz, blues, or any other genre, there’s something about hearing those live notes, feeling the vibrations, and seeing the passion of the performers that creates an unforgettable atmosphere. In a world that can sometimes feel divided, live music reminds us of our shared humanity. It's a universal language that speaks to the soul and brings people from all walks of life into one space to celebrate, feel, and live in the moment.
If you haven't already, make it a point to step out and experience a live show—whether it's an intimate local venue or a massive concert. There's nothing quite like the collective joy of being part of a crowd, singing along with strangers, and feeling the rhythm pulse through your body. It's an opportunity to escape, to connect, and to witness the raw emotion of music in its truest form. So grab your friends, pick a show, and let the music do what it does best—bring us all together.
