I end up on a stage with a band about 6-12 times a year--always before the actual show during rehearsal which allows me to walk around the stage where I couldn't during the actual performance. I always have to look at the brass instruments for reflections--in fact I catch myself spending far too much time doing this and I am missing some great moments. A few years ago I went to one of the practices and I refused to allow myself to even look at these and spend time looking for a story telling expression or moment. That day ended up making a picture that won an award---you think that lesson would be enough--but then I go back and find myself making more reflection pictures. I do keep it in mind to try to balance what I'm doing and tonight I was able to find a little of both. I really liked this reflection because it reminded me of a background musician in a Degas or some other impressionist. It would hld up as the main figure in a painting, but I thought it was quite interesting how the swirls marks, maybe from years of polishing the brass, distorted the tuba player next to the player holding it. I always used to say focus is overrated--and this is the sort of thing I meant by it--when an image has something that compels you to look at it and the distortions or lack of focus do not act as a distraction--then it isn't a problem. I won't judge this image at this time--today I like it. It is actually in focus--just no way to sharpen the player in the reflection. Photograph by Richard Sayer