More on live concert photography
Bloody hell, we didn’t half open a can of worms! It seems as if everyone, their dog, and their uncle have views on concert photography. Great, of course, but not all of it makes sense. In the past we’ve covered live photography at big and smaller venues, and both of those entries attracted a lot of insightful comments (you may want to go back and re-read the posts and comments, because there really is a lot of good going down there).
One of the better and more structured sets of comments came from Boudist:
You can be technically adept but still take crap photos, the trick is knowing when to click the shutter. Watch the performance for a moment, where is the light on stage? You may have to wait for the performer to move into the light.
My favourite shots are ones that show emotion and energy. Go for a shot when the singer steps away from the mic, you don’t want it obscuring your shot. Try and get one when the singer is “in the moment”, reaching for a high note or gesticulating.
… Who also goes into further depth in a separate article titled “Tips for live music / concert photography : Boudist“. Worth a read!
Making money off your concert photos
Originally, we had a lot of information here on how you could monetize your concert photography, but it all became a bit wieldy. I would strongly recommend you have a look at our seperate writeup on event photography, and our making money off your photos article.
My day job, if it can be called that, is being a writer. I've got one book out there so far and it's awesome, so go ahead and buy a copy! It's available from 
In front of you, five hyperactive men with guitars, drums, and microphones. Behind you, five thousand fans. In your hands, a camera... You're going to need more than just a little bit of good luck to pull this one off. That's where this book comes in.
Take a Canon EOS 450D. Attach a Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens. Hit the streets of London. See what happens.
Insights, suggestions and comments
Cheers for the link :)
cheers for the boudist link! This blog always has a good read, thanks so much :)
Hey, my purpose in life is to give people who deserve it a platform to speak :)
Thank you for this–very useful and insightful!
But what about how this subject matter ties into your previous posts about taking pictures in public places?
Having been frustrated in my two recent attempts to take photographs of Puffy Ami Yumi at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and Paul Simon at the Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, MD, I’m starting to wonder about these “privately owned” places that allow the public in.
Now, in a way I understood the first instance: at the 9:30 Club, the artist requested it. In my mind, it’s one of the ways that artists and other people with very public lives can maintain control over their image and create more “branding,” for themselves by releasing key images or hiring certain photographers, and whatnot. I can kinda get behind that (though it bummed me out that I couldn’t get a photo of the band).
But at Merriweather, it’s just their policy. I guess that’s okay, but what really got my goat was when I strolled through the gates and saw an arsenal of staffers with digital cameras, all asking me, “Would you like a souvenir photograph?”
Now that’s just rubbing salt on a wound. And no I don’t want a random staff-person to take my photograph, because the whole reason for bringing a camera was to take my own photographs of things that I care about.
I understand private property, and all, but what do you think about that kind of phenomenon?
Maybe this is just way too off-topic…
Concert photography has been what I’ve been doing a majority of since 2001. I stepped away for a few years but now I’m back headstrong. I find it completely challenging. It’s very easy for me to shoot over 100 photographs in a 30 or so minute set.
My thing is I want to start making money doing it, so any tips there as to how to get published, please let me know. Thanks.
I like small venues, fast film (Kodak Tri-X in Diafine, pushed to EI 1200 or more), and interesting music. I read ‘No Depression’ magazine (alt.country, whatever that means).
http://www.cameramentor.com/images/ra_fountain/
Energy captured on film is a special thing.
Smooches,
Wiggy
I like my friends photos, and the way she has laid them out. http://www.sixunderground.co.uk/photography/isis%5Fsheff/
Id like to get some good photos of bands (one day), thanks for the tips. :P
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