The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey steel fans, photos from the 2017 SWSGA show at the Hilton in Mesa, AZ are now available on the Association web site: http://www.swsteelguitar.com/2017Show/

A great time was had by all, so we hope you were able to attend. If not, or if you want to relive some memories, please check out our pics.

Thanks to all the great artists, vendors, volunteers and fans who made this another successful year!

Great work as always! Any gear changes? Resolution seems even higher than usual...if that is possible. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Bill! Bill Tauson took the majority of the photos this year, so he can speak to what he used.

As for my equipment, I usually shoot a 300mm Sigma telephoto lens, but the Mesa ballroom is more square-shaped, so I didn't need the distance. As such, I used my 200mm telephoto Tamron lens which is much lighter and lets in more light.

Bill T. and I are both committed to keeping flash photography to a minimum, so we try to get the shot with the available light. The rooms were not as bright as years past, so we had to dial up the ISO.

We missed you this year! Hope to see you at the next one.

Thanks, Bill & Guy! Great shots, as always!

Guy Beaver wrote:Thanks Bill! Bill Tauson took the majority of the photos this year, so he can speak to what he used.

As for my equipment, I usually shoot a 300mm Sigma telephoto lens, but the Mesa ballroom is more square-shaped, so I didn't need the distance. As such, I used my 200mm telephoto Tamron lens which is much lighter and lets in more light.

Bill T. and I are both committed to keeping flash photography to a minimum, so we try to get the shot with the available light. The rooms were not as bright as years past, so we had to dial up the ISO.

We missed you this year! Hope to see you at the next one.

I could tell that the lighting wasn't as good as before, that is one of the reasons that I am so impressed. Couldn't make it this year due to a new granddaughter arrival...really hope to be back next year, I really missed not being there!

Thanks Bill. Congrats on the new granddaughter! See you next year.

Not only are these great shots, but I am appreciative of you making a point of taking pictures of the accompanists also.

I go to the show with my guitar so I can participate in the great music the steel players make, and I'm grateful have pictures of it - thank you!

Hi Bill Terry. Missed ya this year. Hope you can make it next year.

Same gear. Just had to pull out a few tricks to deal with the light change.

Bill Tauson wrote:Hi Bill Terry. Missed ya this year. Hope you can make it next year.

Same gear. Just had to pull out a few tricks to deal with the light change.

You did a great job with the lower lighting...we have plans to make it next year...can't miss 2 in a row! Even though you proved again that you two need no help with pictures!

Excellent photos!!

Thanks all for the kind words. It's always a pleasure doing what we love while listening to the artists we love and hanging out with a bunch of people we're pretty darned fond of as well. Thanks again for having us!

Thanks both to you & Bill, Guy, for the great coverage of the major event put on by the SWSGA. You guys certainly moved around the venue & got GREAT photos, covering them from all angles - well done!! Sorry to be late with my thanks!! Sincerely, Jim Harrison

Super pictures!! You did a great job with catching the full flavor of the 2017 SWSGA Show. I believe this show has become one of the premier steel guitar events in the country. Watch out for great things next year!!