250614 Butt Hole Cabaret

Back at The Butterfly Club

This was my first time photographing at The Butterfly Club in a few years. It felt like stepping onto a familiar stage with slightly different cues.

I spent most of the night finding my rhythm again; chasing light, adjusting settings, and trying (unsuccessfully) to settle on a standard setup. All I know for sure right now is: ISO 640 minimum, shutter speed no slower than 1/250, and aperture wide open at f/1.4. Beyond that? Instinct. Gut. Luck.

I tested out highlight priority, but my camera still blew out the bright spots - even when the exposure looked “correct.” It’s going to take more trial and error to get back into the flow. But honestly, that’s what I love about this kind of photography; the unpredictability, the responsiveness, the trust in the moment.

Reflection

• What worked: Returning to a space I knew helped me reconnect with the pace and energy of live performance.

• What didn’t: I relied too much on trying to set fixed settings instead of trusting my instincts and adapting.

• What’s next: I’ll lean into building flexible setups for low-light performance work and focus on staying responsive rather than rigid.