Guitar Heroes in Buffalo Wild Wings

Last night, I went to Buffalo Wild Wings in Moore alongside Maggie. The night was cold and windy, which made the trip from the car to the door considerably uncomfortable. Good thing it was only about 20 feet.

Access was pretty easy, we just came in and talked to the manager. Everyone was super cool about us being there, thank goodness. I can see how things could be different if the manager were a tight ass.

I completely forgot that some establishments still are still able to allow smoking. BWW was one of these places. Nicely segregated from the healthier people at the front of the restaurant, the smokers enjoyed their cancer sticks in the bar at the back. The room was sectioned off with doors, and large windows enabled people on the outside to view the smokers from afar, much like watching monkeys from behind glass at a zoo. My eyes, throat and lungs weren't happy with me that night.

Shooting proved to be a bit difficult. I brought two lenses, one with a little faster aperture in case the light was completely gone. I also used my SB-600 flash quite a bit to balance light from the neon signs behind the guitarists. The first few weren't OU students, which forced Maggie and I to lull around until one was. Luckily, the forth or fifth person and many others after were OU students. One student happened to be a senior and, after mentioning we were from Sooner yearbook, was excited at the idea of being in it and expressed that we wanted one. So, that one's all mine in a few days.

Many of the contestants were quite awesome. I forgot what the song was, but two guys played a song that sounded like about two and a half minutes of straight guitar solo, all played in super hardcore fashion. Maggie expressed later that her eyes hurt because she was so mesmerized by their playing skills.

Overall, the assignment proved to be fruitful. I'm just glad I can check that one off my list. Here are a couple of examples (these are B/W for the yearbook spreads, but are also nice in color):

Nikon D200, 18mm, 1/20 at f/3.5, ISO 640, WB flash, PS CS3 grayscale, level edit and unsharp mask.

Nikon D200, 18mm, 1/10 at f/3.5, ISO 800, WB Sunny, PS CS3 grayscale, level edit and unsharp mask.