This document discusses 6 photographs taken by James Marcus Haney of the band Mumford and Sons on their 2012 tour. It analyzes each photo in terms of composition, techniques used, strengths and weaknesses. The photos depict band members performing on stage and backstage. They appear to have been taken from a distance or at eye-level to capture the performers' expressions and energy. Many utilize a shallow depth of field with the band members as the clear subjects. The analyses provide insight into the photographer's choices and how editing and perspective impact the mood and information conveyed by the images.

1. Unit 57: Photography and
Photographic Practice
Research of other photographers
work (P1, M1, D1)
Photographer: James Marcus Haney
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Theme or focus of images
1// image 1 is from an English folk rock band called Mumford and Sons. The image is from their tour in 2012
in Canada I think, shot by photographer James Marcus Haney. This particular image is of the bands front
man, Marcus Mumford playing the guitar on stage alongside his band mates, whilst laughing. This shot has
a warm feel to the image as the colours are natural, just maybe enhanced a little to make it brighter as
well as it being an action shot. The image looks like it was taken at a distance at eye level, obviously with
the band playing onstage, the photographer would have been backstage, therefore it may also have
been zoomed in a little to capture only Marcus Mumford in the moment. The photographer could’ve taken
the shot a little bit zoomed out, just to capture his focus point’s surrounding’s to give the photo a little more
of a good feeling to it. I like the focus on the image as it blurs out the background, leaving only Marcus
Mumford and his fellow band mate (who’s left side is only in the image) in focus, therefore making him the
centre of the photo. I think this image captures the band’s spirit perfectly as they are all about just having a
good time, to which the singer is.
2// This image was taken at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, US. It is of, again, the front man Marcus
Mumford. Looking at the background which is of an empty theatre, it looks like a sound check before one
of their concerts. The image features Marcus Mumford looking over his right shoulder whilst playing the
guitar, suggesting he is in the middle of playing the guitar and that is it an action shot. The colours again,
are warm and feel good colours with natural daylight as the theatre is outside. The editing has been done
to give the image a vintage feel, which the band have a vintage feel to them. The image looks like it was
at a mid distance due to the photo only going up to Marcus Mumford’s waist, and it looks like it was taken
at a level that was lower than eye level, due to the theatre seating rising up in front of him. I don’t think the
image was zoomed at all, but I do think that if the photographer stood a little further back, we would be
able to see more of the theatre and its size. The background of the seating, is plain which makes Mumford
the centre point of this image.
3// The 3rd image is, again of the band, Mumford and Sons, playing a gig in Canada, again on their 2012
tour. The image is of the band actually playing live to an audience, but this time, the image is taken from
the audience’s point of view. Judging by the height of the crowd at the bottom of the picture, this image
was taken at a higher level than eye view, to get a better look at the set on the stage, with the members
being on different levels. This, again, is an action shot of the band, which is quite popular within this
photographer. The colours are black and white, which would’ve been done during editing. I think the

3. black and white feel to it gives it a sense of what the atmosphere was like during that show, as in black and
white, you can outline the lighting, the smoke, the outlines of the band and audience etc. than what you
would be able to see if it was in colour. I think this picture wasn’t zoomed in as if it was, you wouldn’t be
able to see the crowd or the whole stage, where as if it was zoomed in, you would only be able to see the
stage and not the crowd.
4// the 4th image, it is unknown to me where the location is, but I know it was on their tour again in 2012. It
is of the band again but this time what appears to be outside backstage, before a show judging by the
light sky. The four band members are all stood in a circle , fist bumping each other to have a good show. In
the background, there is a tree which suggest the show could’ve been outside that time, and there are
coaches in the further background which suggests that they are their tour buses and that the tour is not in
the UK. The shot appears to be have been taken from an eye level as the band members don’t appear to
be smaller or taller than each other to the camera. If the image was zoomed in, we would only see the
band members and not much of what they are doing, where as if it was zoomed out, we would see more
of the background, which might indicate to where this particular show was at. The image has been edited
to have a vintage effect, as mentioned before it mirrors the bands style.
5// This 5th image if of again, Mumford and Sons, but this time is it their banjoist, Winston Marshall on their
2012 tour. The banjoist is on stage, playing the banjo and what appears to be dancing whilst
shouting/laughing, an action shot. The shot appears to have been taken at a distance with a slight zoom
to focus solely on Winston Marshall, therefore blurring the background a bit to make him centre point, it
also appears to have been taken at eye level as it (nearly) a full body shot. If the image was taken a little
more zoomed in, we might only see Winston, and not the background, what appears to be backstage, but
if the image was slightly zoomed out, we would be able to see more of the foreground, and what else is
surrounding him. The image has been edited to be black and white, which I think makes the image better
as it captures the moment of him performing better than if it were in colour, then the audience would focus
more on the colours rather than Winston himself.
6// The 6th image is of Kwabs, a musician from London. The image was shot March 2014 for Atlantic
Records. This image is a portrait shot of the musician facing forward to the camera but looking slightly to his
right with his hands covering his mouth. The shot appears it has been taken at a close distance as the
image stops at his waist, with no zoom. The image is mainly cool colours that have been enhanced to
become warmer tones. If the image was zoomed a little, we would see his face and jacket in more detail,
but if it was zoomed out, we would see more of his torso, with less detail. The background is a gradual tone
of what appears to be a navy blue to an ocean blue, with a layer of smoke overlapping it and surrounding
the artist. The image looks as if the colours have been enhanced to be brighter, such as his suit jacket and
to make the smoke more visible.
Composition
1// I think the photographer for this 1st image has stood a fair distance away to get this full body action
shot of Marcus Mumford. I think if it was zoomed it we wouldn’t see as much of the background as we can
now, but if it was zoomed out, we could see more of the background, getting a better sense of the
atmosphere. I think the photographer hasn’t cropped this image at all as it shows the setting of the image. I
think if this photo was edited to be black and white, we wouldn’t get a sense of the colours and we
wouldn’t get as much of a happy vibe because of the way Marcus Mumford is laughing wouldn’t look right
in black and white. I think this image is a great action shot of how Marcus Mumford feels performing.
2// I think the photographer for this 2nd image, has stood fairly close to Marcus Mumford as it ends at his
hips, and isn’t a full body shot. I think if it was zoomed in, we wouldn’t see the background, and therefore
not get a sense of the time of day, and most of the foreground would be of Marcus Mumford’s back. If the
image was zoomed out, we would see more of the background and get a better sense of how big the
theatre was, there is a similar picture of Marcus’ band mate called Ted Dwane in the same position, but
facing the camera with a fish eye effect, therefore we can get a better view at the surroundings. I think
shot is a great shot of before a concert, to get a feeling of how big they are as a band for how many
people go to see them.
3// for this 3rd image, I think the photographer stood at a far distance, maybe at the back of the concert
room. I think if it was zoomed in, we wouldn’t get a sense of the atmosphere and overall effect, where as if
it was zoomed out, we would see more of the audience which we could then see their reaction to the
band. I think this is one of the best shots from this photographer as it includes the whole band in their own
worlds performing, and enjoying there selves.
4// For the 4th image, I think the photographer stood at a reasonable distance from the band, as it is

4. nearly a full body shot of the two stood more in the background than the two stood more in the
foreground. Zooming in, we wouldn’t be able to see the facial expressions of the band and what they are
doing, where as if we zoomed out, we would be able to see their full bodies and a better sense of the
background and where they are. I think the vintage effect works well because of their overall image as a
band and the background colours, such as the tree, has a soft feel to it.
5// I think the photographer for the 5th image, was stood at a far distance as it could be a full body shot,
with a little bit of a zoom, to get a clearer view of Winston’s facial expression. I think the zoom is perfect as it
is, as too much and we wouldn’t see the backstage background, or too little and we wouldn’t be able to
see Winston’s face and the enjoyment on it. I think the black and white effect works good, as mentioned
before, it allows us a viewer to focus more on Winston himself, in the centre of the image rather than if it
was in colour, we’d be looking more at the colours that surround him. I think it’s a great action shot of the
banjoist overall.
6// I think the photographer for this 6th image, was stood fairly close to the musician as it’s a portrait shot
from the waist upwards, with the viewer having detail on his face and jacket. I think there has been a little
zoom, just towards his face, but too much zoom and we wouldn’t be able to see much of him, and we
could question what we would be looking at exactly, but too little zoom, and we wouldn’t have the detail
of his facial expression and his jacket. I think the editing has been done great as it enhances his skin tone
and the colours surrounding him. I like this shot of Kwabs as everything matches each other.
Techniques used
1// this first image, the shutter speed to me, would be a quick short one, as it quite a light image in itself, as
well as it being an action shot, so the shutter speed would have to be to captured in time. With the depth
of field, the background is of an audience, which is completely blurry, which makes Marcus Mumford, the
singer and main focus of this shot, the main feature. Marcus Mumford is in the centre of this image. He isn’t
quite in the foreground as his fellow bandmate Winston is more in the foreground than him. Marcus
Mumford is in the middle of the background and the foreground, but with his positioning in the centre of
the image, he automatically becomes the main image. If we apply 3 X 3 grid on top of this image, Marcus
Mumford overlaps the central square and the other lines connecting each other, therefore he is main
focus.

5. 2// this 2nd image, the shutter speed I think would have been open a few seconds, as the bottom half of
the image, is darker than the top so the camera would need to focus and get the right lighting for the
bottom half as it is all natural lighting. With the depth of field, the background is of Red Rocks
Amphitheatre, where the seating is for the crowd, the sky and the ‘red rocks’ there selves. The background
isn’t out of focus at all, it has been edited to be darker so Marcus Mumford stands out more. If we apply
the 3 X 3 grid on top of this, we would see that Marcus Mumford is central to the image, and wouldn’t
really overlap to the sides. His head is central to the central square.
3// This 3rd image, I think would’ve had quicker shutter speed as it would’ve been capturing the lighting on
stage, which would’ve changed along with the music, as well as it being an action shot. With the depth of
field, the background is occupied by the band and the stage playing live. They aren’t out of focus but
because the image has been edited to be black and white, its not clear where everybody Is and what
they’re doing. In the foreground is the crowd, but only the very bottom of the image, they are noticeable
by the light hitting them which is coming from the stage. If we apply the 3 X 3 grid on top of this image, the
main focus would be the stage and where the main light is coming from, just to the right of the centre. Also
in the centre of the image, would be the band member on stage clapping his hands, making the centre of
the stage the main focus.
4// In this 4th image, I think the shutter speed would’ve been a quick exposure as in the image is natural
lighting, which if the shutter was open longer, it could of resulted in being over exposed. As well as the
image being an action shot of the band before a show. With depth of field, in the background are trees,
hills, what I think are tour buses and a fence. It looks to be an American backdrop, suggesting this image
was taken on their North American tour. In the foreground is the band there selves, all fist pumping each
other before a show, they are in focus as they are the main point. If we apply a 3 X 3 grid on top of the
image, in the centre square would be the band member whose face we can see properly, making himm
focus point and what he’s doing focus point, which links to the other band members.
5// In this 5th image, I think the shutter speed would be a quick exposure, even though its edited in black
and white, you can see where the light hits the background and main focus which is Winston Marshall. If it
was shot in a longer exposure, I think the image would be overall over exposed and Winston him self would
be blurry. With the depth of field, in the background is what appears to be backstage and the main stage
such as the equipment for the band, the further back stage, the more unfocused the equipment looks,
where as closer to the foreground we come, towards Winston, the more in focus the equipment becomes
because it closer to Winston himself, who is the main focus. If we lay down a 3 X 3 grid on top of the image,
Winston would overlap the conjoining lines on the grid, as well as occupying the central square, which
makes him the main focus being on central point.
6// With this 6th image, I think the shutter speed is a long exposure as the image appears to have been
digitally manipulated to be lighter than it could’ve originally been taken. With the depth of field, in the
background is just a plain background that appears to have been edited to be Smokey and or coloured
to be gradually blue. In the foreground is the singer himself, posing. He takes up most of the frame which
would automatically make him the main focus. If we lay a 3 X 3 grid on top of this image, in the central
square would be from his nose to his hands, making his pose the main focus as his hands cover the bottom
of his face.
Strengths & Weaknesses
1// Two strengths about this picture for me include I like the action shot vibe, I like how the photographer
caught Marcus Mumford, in a true happiness moment. I also like the positioning of Marcus, how the
photographer has got in him in the centre. Two weakness for me, would be not being able to see more of
the background, I would like to of seen it with a wider angle, and the second would be having Marcus’
band mate a little more to the left, out of the frame, by maybe the photographer moving to his right a little
bit more. I would this image as inspiration for my own work by using the theme of an action shot.
2// Two strengths for this image for me, would be the angle of the shot, I like how low down the shot is
which allows us to see what Marcus Mumford sees. The second would be the pose of Marcus himself, it’s a
casual action shot. Two weakness for me would be, again, not being able to see more of the surroundings

6. to the sides of Marcus, and not being a full body shot. I would use this image as inspiration for my own work
by the colours of the image, the vintage effect.
3// Two strengths for this 3rd image for me would be, the positioning of the camera, the wide shot of the
stage and the whole band, also the black and white effect as I think it perfectly outlines the band and the
audience and lights etc. Two weakness for me would be not being to see as much of the audience as you
can now, and not much of the right side of the stage, where the lights are lit up as much. I would this
image as inspiration by using the black and white editing.
4// Two strengths for this 4th image would have to include the closeness of the band in the picture, the
image perfectly conveys the fact that they are all good friends in real life as well as in front of a camera,
and the vintage feel of the image. Two weakness’ would include not being able to see more of the
surroundings to give us an idea of where they are, and not being able to see much facial expressions of he
band. I would use this image as inspiration for my own work by using the closeness’ of the band as
inspiration for my own models to use.
5// Two strengths for this 5th image would include the quick shutter lense speed to be able to capture this
performing moment of Winston, and the black and white effect, as mentioned before. Two weakness’ for
me would be the equipment behind Winston to be blurred and not focused, and for the image to be
slightly wider to the sides to get a sense of the audience. I would like to use this image as inspiration for my
own work by trying to capture the moments at a fast pace.
6// Two strengths for this 6th image would be the colours. I like the mix and brightness of the colours in the
background, also I like the smoke and how it blends everything together. Two weakness’ would be not
being able to see more of his torso, and him not having a prop such as cigarette or such in his hand, which
would fit with the smoke theme. I would use this image as inspiration for my own work by using smoke or
such as a main focus point.

7. to the sides of Marcus, and not being a full body shot. I would use this image as inspiration for my own work
by the colours of the image, the vintage effect.
3// Two strengths for this 3rd image for me would be, the positioning of the camera, the wide shot of the
stage and the whole band, also the black and white effect as I think it perfectly outlines the band and the
audience and lights etc. Two weakness for me would be not being to see as much of the audience as you
can now, and not much of the right side of the stage, where the lights are lit up as much. I would this
image as inspiration by using the black and white editing.
4// Two strengths for this 4th image would have to include the closeness of the band in the picture, the
image perfectly conveys the fact that they are all good friends in real life as well as in front of a camera,
and the vintage feel of the image. Two weakness’ would include not being able to see more of the
surroundings to give us an idea of where they are, and not being able to see much facial expressions of he
band. I would use this image as inspiration for my own work by using the closeness’ of the band as
inspiration for my own models to use.
5// Two strengths for this 5th image would include the quick shutter lense speed to be able to capture this
performing moment of Winston, and the black and white effect, as mentioned before. Two weakness’ for
me would be the equipment behind Winston to be blurred and not focused, and for the image to be
slightly wider to the sides to get a sense of the audience. I would like to use this image as inspiration for my
own work by trying to capture the moments at a fast pace.
6// Two strengths for this 6th image would be the colours. I like the mix and brightness of the colours in the
background, also I like the smoke and how it blends everything together. Two weakness’ would be not
being able to see more of his torso, and him not having a prop such as cigarette or such in his hand, which
would fit with the smoke theme. I would use this image as inspiration for my own work by using smoke or
such as a main focus point.