Comments on: Concert Photography

By: Mary Lupo

Mary Lupo — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:23:37 +0000

THANK YOU for any help you can supply me with.

Mary

By: Mary Lupo

Mary Lupo — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:18:31 +0000

Hi:

I have been added to a credential list for a particular concert in a couple of weeks. The woman is the media coordinator of the venue, and she emailed me back, after I emailed her requesting this. I gave her all the proper info. I have a canon 40d and have a 28-200mm 3.5-5.6 lens and a 50-250mm 4.5-5.6 lens. I am thinking of getting a 70-200mm 2.8 lens as I know I need a very fast lens. I need to know if after taking the pictures if I am in a pit, do I get to sit in my seat, as I was invited to the concert also. I have contacted the venue and they said that cameras are allowed. I would take more pictures in my seat, but my flash won’t reach even though it is powerful. I have a point and shoot fuji s7000 with a telephoto attachment, and have taken photos indoors in a concert and I was in the 25th row and then in the 14th row in another one and got great shots with it, and I used an external flash unit. Do you think I would be able to sit down after taking the pictures since I was given a ticket. I don’t want the person to lose a lot of money. I would rather sit down then have to leave after taking the photos up front, and take my chances by shooting from my seat.

Thanks
Mary

By: Tyler

Tyler — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:06:15 +0000

Fantastic article. I’ve been shooting concert photography for about 6 months now and keep coming back to this article.

At the level I am at, I can usually shoot for the whole show. It’s a great way to practice: go to small local shows. The challenges are the same and it makes you get to know the surroundings and the camera.

I wrote a short guide as well: http://tinyurl.com/mtxa2n

By: Jane Macneil

Jane Macneil — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:23:19 +0000

Good tips.

I’ve found just as a music fan going to concerts, my trusty point-and-shoot has been great. Granted you haven’t got the advantage of using an DSLR with a bright lens, but then to get permission to use these cameras, your only allowed in the pit for 3 songs. (I’ve heard reports of people only being allowed in the pit for mere seconds!) I find getting to the venue early, so you can get as close to the front as possible is the biggest advantage. Once you’ve done that, everything else is easy. You have the WHOLE concert to take photos. Like you say, you tend to dump 90% of the shots, but if you have a full 90 minutes - 2 hours to take your photos, your bound to get some good ones right?

By: Photocritic Greatest Hits vol.2 :: Photocritic photography blog

Photocritic Greatest Hits vol.2 :: Photocritic photography blog — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:35:39 +0000

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By: StubHub Coupons

StubHub Coupons — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:02:43 +0000

Interesting stuff.

I like the photo tips for concerts.

Cool blog site you got going on.

Keep it up!

By: alyssa

alyssa — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:45:46 +0000

this was helpful-
i’ve been do 5 shows now where i’ve had a photo pass and i love the opening of this article haha. thats exactly how it’s described, and its one of the most nervewrecking nights you will ever have. ive gotten stuck in between the security guards legs while they were pushing off the stage to push a crowd surfer back, while the other security guard was yelling at me to ‘get the f*ck out of there’. also, at my last show, there was a kid in the photo pit with his little digital camera, just shooting away, with flash, and actually for the most of the show was kneeling on the floor so i pretty much tripped on him every time i needed to get by him.

By: Katie Metcalfe

Katie Metcalfe — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:47:40 +0000

Just wanted to drop a line and say thanks ever so much for the insight, inspiration and technical as well as the common-sense-we-often-forget knowledge.

By: Jayman

Jayman — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:34:15 +0000

Great, this is going into my photo Bible. Thankfully I live some where where the first two rules have not been introduced yet so it is free hunting season for amateur and pro shooters and been a great platform for me to go and get pics of bands and then show them how I can get great candid moments of them and many hire me next time and it is paying for itself now and hope to take some of your print advice too and give them some big prints too and sell them to the band members or for their fan clubs.

The hardest thing is getting good moments to the lighting, moments come regardless if the lighting techy gives you the best or worst lighting possibilities for that moment but you got to take your shot anyway or up or down your ISO or other aids to get the shot in a split second, it grows on you though and I’m getting to where it’s a “junky” rush, I hate portrait set shoots, give me rock and roll baby!

By: Redwall Photo

Redwall Photo — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:49:31 +0000

Great tips - I already practice many of these and am glad to see someone is willing to say it!

By: The quiet revolution in photography by Photocritic

The quiet revolution in photography by Photocritic — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:27:23 +0000

[...] photographs. When I’m out taking photos in difficult lighting situations (such as dancing, concert photography or similar), I now routinely dial back the exposure by a full [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:34:40 +0000

Nice article…I can relate well. I took hundreds of concert photos of rock bands in the 80’s and it was always a challenge.

I tried fast films, slide films, even had some 3D pics too. After all these years I finally made some of my collection available for viewing.

My concert photo website is evolving and will have more as time goes on.
Thank you

http://www.liveloudphotos.com

By: Joep Mens

Joep Mens — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:27:31 +0000

Enjoying all these stories and tips very much I must say, I keep learning. My concert photo’s are all collected on my website http://www.kamerado.nl

Joep

By: Haleyv2010

Haleyv2010 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:26:36 +0000

Okay so I have been invited by a local band to be put onto their guest lists’ so that I can photograph them. I think I do an alright job at getting the shots but I have a Canon P.S A630 and it doesn’t work very well under the conditions of concert lighting and such. It’s almost impossible to get a good shot without it looking super amature. Is there something i’m missing? Help?

By: art meripol

art meripol — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:02:19 +0000

Just found this by accident while surfing. I am glad to read that pretty much all that I experienced in the 70’s and 80’s still applies. Very straightforward information and exactly how I shot all my work on my concert photography website. Of course mine was film, long before digital and autofocus,but still, no flash, three songs ( you hope) road managers from hell, crowd jealous, get credentials, work the light, manual exposure, shoot with the music, shoot tight and watch for them to find the lens. I would only add that for bigger shows, arrive well before the lights go down, make friends with the T-shirt security so they aren’t wasting your three songs checking to see if you belong.

grateful for anyone to check out my site.

By: Martin Cox

Martin Cox — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:56:57 +0000

Nice article…

One thing I do differently.. I think autofocus works fine if you’re close enough to the action and it’s light assisted. Without auto, accurate focus must be a nightmare with those wide aperture lenses.

Check out my results a http://www.gigshot.co.uk and feel free to drop me a line via the site

Cheers
Martin

By: joan

joan — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:21:29 +0000

Gotta love it!

By: James

James — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:47:51 +0000

I just wanted to come on here and comment on how great your site is. Ive been little bits of live photography for awhile and just started getting the right equipment to do it well. Great helpful hints to really get started and focused on the right stuff, since concert stuff is so much improve, you really have to have to fundamentals down. Thanks

By: Concert Reviews

Concert Reviews — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:00:09 +0000

I never use flash, take tons of photos and usually use a high iso which gives me a good shot for the web.. but not really for printing purposes. I’m only a point and shoot guy with a panasonic TZ1 which offers a 10x zoom - The closer the better obviously - I only ever look for a couple good shots from the night. If anyone knows this camera at all and can suggest different setting options please do. Other suggestions for point and shoot cameras with 10-12x zoom I am looking for also with good video clip features. I take photos and clips for my reviews site.

thanks
Jeff

By: Dave Williams

Dave Williams — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:16:46 +0000

I have been fortunate to photograph a lot of great musicians. I would appreciate it if you would check out my work.

My Webzine: Brain Dead Media

Personal Myspace: Dave Williams Myspace

By: Gino

Gino — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:13:41 +0000

Before you go to your gig, try and find out, through the internet (Youtube, band website, fan forum), if there is live footage of the current tour. That’ll give you some indication of the band and stage set-up, and perhaps even a playlist.

If you have a playlist for the current tour, try and find out which are the first three songs. Familiarise yourself with these tracks before you go so you know if there are any emotional or tense bits that might be good moments to capture the band or the singer performing.

By: Ben Gummery

Ben Gummery — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:33:25 +0000

You’ve missed something out there, if you get into the pit IT WILL BE LOUD!

EAR PLUGS ARE ESSENTIAL!!!!

Just something worth noting if you value you’re hearing as anyone working in and around stages will tell you.

By: Neal Preston

Neal Preston — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:30:30 +0000

Hi.
I’m not sure who wrote the original article, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents regarding camera positions at a concert, as I have somewhat different advice, and probably more experience than any living person on the planet:
1. DON’T get as close as possible.You will only limit your photo possibilities…..WIDEN OUT….. Let your frame “breathe”.
2. DON’T shoot where everyone else is shooting from.
3. DO shoot from where everyone else ISN’T- even if all you’re shooting is the back of the band. I guarantee that your pictures will be infinitely better than anyone else’s.

-Neal Preston

By: Paul Devereux

Paul Devereux — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:20:15 +0000

Hi
been reading this blog for a while now has been very usefull .
Ive been lucky enough to take many photos of some big name rock bands over the last few years
some of wich can be found here
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v331/R1FSR/DREAM%20THEATER%20-%20Manchester%2007/
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v331/R1FSR/SATRIANI%20-%20Manchester%2006/
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v331/R1FSR/SCORPIONS%20Manchester%2007/
and was wondering about getting my name into some agencies to open up the chances of more photo passes…is there any in particular that i should contact , any info would be apreciated .

cheers
Paul

By: Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:40:18 +0000

I am the photographer for http://www.concerttickets.com. The bottom line for good concert photography is being as close to the stage as possible. Even front row seats can place you 25 feet from the performer. Other points is that if you are in a venue that where seats are set up on a grade, it is good to know how many rows to be up to be level with the performer. This can provide a straight on view. We often get back stage passes and get very interesting photography. But when we are out front, close is key.

Mark Johnson
Senior Photographer
http://www.concertickets.com

By: Thierry

Thierry — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:33:22 +0000

Photos of Placebo in concert - Montréal / Québec

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:27:51 +0000

I used to go on the road with Matchbox Twenty as my X was their production manager, so I got to go where I wanted and go crazy with my camera….My LOVE!! I love photography and I got some incredible shots that I think would be t shirt, poster, jacket worthy. Incredible lighting that iA caught under an incredible bright blue light wiht Adam on guirtar and Rob Thomas on the piano. GREAT photo really, im very impressed with my skill there. I have many more that I cherish and that no one has seen (aka have never been in a magazine) they are mine and mine alone and my pride and joy. I was able to wonder anywhere I wnated because of the fact I was engaged to their production manager for years so I got to go behind the ropes. Many would say “youre so lucky to get so close” I only thought of it as I got to take these incredible pictures tht no one else could take unless you were the photographer for MTV, and mind you my photos look if not better or just right up there with a simple camera, but the heart a passion of a photographer. Not to meantion I got some signed after I had them printed to my expectations. I will never forget how I had the oppertunity to take photos so close to a band I love and they came out better then “known photographers” because I had WAY more passion for the actual photos I was taking!! Believe that Zoie85022@yahoo.com

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 05:08:36 +0000

I’m really glad I came across sites like this before I took my camera to too many shows. My first few attempts I was that annoying jerk with the flash going off every 3 seconds. I’ve since bought a 50mm 1.8 for my Nikon D80 and am able to get decent shots without a flash at all. I don’t necessarily abide by the 3 song rule, but I usually only take photos at small gigs where the band probably enjoys as must exposure as they can get (pun intended…).

Check out my photos of Wintersleep live in Toronto here:

http://www.wolveshawksandkites.com/2007/10/18/live-in-toronto-drug-rug-cut-it-up-and-wintersleep-welcome-the-night-sky/

Thanks for the tips!

By: Cody Lieberman

Cody Lieberman — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:47:31 +0000

Thank you for the tips. Very helpful. Check my site out I have just started out after taking several classes in Photography. Would love to have some input. http://www.freewebs.com/purephotography

By: Alex Garrod

Alex Garrod — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 21:01:24 +0000

fantastic blog, concert photography is great. I have a local venue which i cover, unfortunantly the extent of the lighting is about the same as that of a maglite! still some photos are good! by far the best i have ever taken were at the liverpool summer pops photograhing whitesnake, i didn’t have any photo pass so i got bouncered what made up for it though was some 1st class photos of david coverdale!

thanks for the advice!
i particulary liked the 3 rules however i don’t agree with the first three songs, i notice pro photographers doing it at weddings as well as concerts. I just think its arrogant, you miss the atmosphere