Aloha !

Although I agree that David Bergman rarely ever shoots a quality image others from the front row can't (milomom of this board proved she could and would often come up with better shots), I disagree with most of your comments in regards to a change in color or tone, or your suggestions to do some Photoshopping. The mike stand has a purpose, etc.

Yours is actually pretty bad. It looks like a scan from a second rate magazine. It's way too dark, and the upper tier is completely lost in your version. As are the fireworks

The pictures are done in brown/white because it gives them a little bit more depth than your average black and white picture. Sepia gives a photo the same touch as a black and white photograph, but the slight addition of color gives them a bit more emotion. Sepia can also bring back details in a picture that are otherwise lost if the photo is either in color or just in black or white.

These are all things any real photographer knows though. It's basic knowledge.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan