Bands and Festivals..

[Swisstony10]

There are often posts on here (and in Earning with Photography) asking for advice on taking cameras to venues where bands are playing, so I thought I'd share a positive experience that will hopefully help out other people in a similar situation.

I'm going to a music festival in August, which I've been to several times before - www.beautifuldays.org - and since it's an open-air thing, with lots going on all over the place the whole time, there's never really any problem with people taking cameras/camcorders etc. I've not been since I upgraded to digital, but I've managed to get some great shots in the past when I took my trusty old Canon EOS film. The trouble is, it's just hard to get into a good position to get clear shots when some of the bands are playing. In particular, the headline bands (this year - Hawkwind on Friday night, The Pogues on Saturday, and traditionally The Levellers on Sunday night because it's their festival) are difficult to shoot, other than from a long way off with a big zoom lens.

I already have my ticket for the festival, but I found the website for the company who do the organisation side of the festival and emailed them explaining that I'm trying to get more experience of shooting bands and events, and asking if it's possible for a non-professional photographer who's not affiliated to any media company or publication or whatever to get access to the pit at the front of the stage. They emailed me back within a few hours to let me know that a full photography pass will be waiting for me when I get there so I can get plenty of good pictures all over the place. Naturally, I'd already offered to let them have some of the pictures, and if they're up to scratch, they'll use them in the festival's gallery.

I'd already bought the ticket, and was already planning to take the camera with me, but being able to get into the clear spaces to take pictures is going to be a real bonus. Just goes to show that often, all you have to do is ask the right questions of the right people, and be nice.

Russ.

[Quo Fan]

Just goes to show, you'll never get anything if you don't ask.

I always ask my bank if they are giving away samples of $100. I have yet to get a free $100.

[Swisstony10]

Keep trying dude - one day..... One day...

[Quo Fan]

I sure do hope so...

[elvenprincessjo]

That's great! Hope you get some awesome photos. Don't forget to share some! ^_^