John De Leo’s Grande Abarasse Orchestra – Live
This is a reportage I did during a concert of the John De Leo’s Grande Abarasse Orchestra.
Covering this performance reminded me why live concert photography is such a balancing act between observation and anticipation. Each of these images, though part of a single reportage, serves as a fragment of a larger narrative – one built on rhythm, tension, and fleeting expressions.
The colour frame of the full band provides essential context, grounding the viewer in the environment. The arrangement on stage is clear, with good use of depth to layer the musicians. The lighting, though moody and uneven, is handled competently, preserving detail without blowing the highlights from the stage spots. The tonal balance maintains the intimacy of the live performance.
In the monochrome shots, the absence of colour heightens attention to gesture and texture – the bowing of a violin, the curve of a cello neck, or the concentration etched into a singer’s brow. Here, composition plays a critical role. By isolating moments and allowing negative space to work, these frames pull the viewer deeper into the performance’s emotional core. The high-contrast lighting works to advantage, sculpting features and instruments in a way that feels almost tactile.
From a technical perspective, the exposure control across changing lighting conditions is commendable. Concert halls are notoriously tricky for mixed lighting and unpredictable flares from spotlights, yet the shadows retain detail, and the highlights remain disciplined. Focus is generally well placed – on the performer’s face or hands – with a depth of field that helps separate subject from background without losing the sense of place.
Collectively, these images succeed because they are not simply about documenting a performance, but about translating its atmosphere into still frames. They are visual riffs – sharp, intimate, and unafraid to linger on the quiet gestures between the louder notes. This is reportage at its most musical.
