Pleasant Surprise in the Pit
When I walked into the venue last night, I hadn’t planned on being blown away by @ublu666. But the moment Martina Nielsen stepped into the lights, the entire room shifted. Their set was a very pleasant surprise—equal parts ferocity and finesse—and I knew I had to bottle that energy in a single frame.
The Atmosphere: Power, Sweat, Shadowplay
UBLUs performance was relentless: pounding drums, searing guitars, and Martina’s commanding presence. Fog rolled across the stage while neon‑tinged strobes carved silhouettes out of the darkness. Every song felt like a pendulum swing between calm restraint and chaotic release—my camera never rested.
Lighting Magic by @w_i_ll_
Good concert photos live and die by the lighting, and Will delivered. His design blended pulsing primary tones with razor‑thin white flashes, creating those dramatic moments where sweat turns to glitter on skin. I timed my shots to Will’s cues, catching Martina mid‑gesture in a halo of crimson backlight.
Gear Talk 🔧
- Camera: Fujifilm X‑S10
- Lens: Fujinon XF16‑55mmF2.8 R LM WR (for wide crowd sweeps) & Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 (@viltrox.nordic) for intimate close‑ups
- Settings: ISO 3200 · 1/250 s · f/1.4
- Support: No flash, no tripod—just pure handheld adrenaline.
Editing Workflow 🎞️
I brought the RAW files into Lightroom for a quick cull, then jumped straight into @dehancer_photo. I chose the Fujicolor Print (Industrial) 100 emulation for its cool midtones and gentle grain—perfect for preserving neon hues without crushing the blacks. A subtle contrast bump, a touch of halation, and the frame came alive.
Before / After 🌓
Swipe in the gallery to see the original, unedited shot next to the final grade. I share my SOOC (straight‑out‑of‑camera) files to show:
- How much latitude Fujifilm’s RAW files offer.
- How Dehancer’s film tools can add cinematic texture without over‑processing.
- My philosophy: Editing should elevate, not fabricate.
Final Thoughts
UBLUs set reminded me why I love live music photography: unpredictability. You never know when you’ll stumble upon a band that shakes loose your creative rut. If you get the chance to see them live, go. And bring a fast lens—you’ll need it.
“Power. Sweat. Shadowplay.”
— My three‑word review of the night.
Tags / SEO
#ublu #martinanielsen #concertphotography #fujifilmxseries #fujifilmnordic #viltroxnordic #viltrox33mm #dehancerphoto #filmemulation #neonvibes #stagephotography #musicenergy
TL;DR 📌
- Band: UBLU (@ublu666)
- Star of the frame: Martina Nielsen
- Lighting: @w_i_ll_
- Camera/Lens: Fuji X‑S10 + Viltrox 33 f/1.4 (@viltrox.nordic)
- Edit: @dehancer_photo · Fujicolor Print (Industrial) 100
- Why it matters: Unexpected gigs fuel fresh creativity ⚡