Looking for some advice

[Kole~Slaw]

I will be going to a concert next month and would LOVE to take some good photos while I'm there. My biggest problem is that its inside a church and has low lighting.

At the last concert I was at my photos came out with a lot of noise. I'm still testing the waters with this kind of stuff so I had someone adjust the settings on my camera for me. Little did I know that they were just guestimating.

Here are 4 of my favorite shots:


f/5.6 1/50 sec ISO-1600 -1 step @200mm no flash


f/5.6 1/40 sec ISO-1600 -1 step @200mm no flash


f/5.6 1/80 sec ISO-1600 -1 step @200mm no flash


f/5.6 1/160 sec ISO-1600 -1 step @200mm no flash

I'm using a Nikon D60 and have a 18-55 and 55-200 lens. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you in advance

[Kole~Slaw]

C'mon people help me out here......

[candidrachel]

I have no idea. I do like your photos though. I like the way you have used the ambient light. A touch noisy yes but they're great shots! Just be patient and wait for someone with experience of photographing gigs to get in touch.

[OsmosisStudios]

This should have been placed in one of the technique sections, not general. General moves too fast.

As for your photos: theyre using the smoke machine a LOT which is robbing contrast. Your best bet to minimize noise is to overexpose, but your examples really arent that bad.

Your other option would be to rent/borrow/steal a fast aperture lens. Your examples are all at 200mm, so you could get just about any pro-level fast aperture lens (the 70-200 f/2.8 VR and 200 f/2 VR come to mind).

[scootermcq]

First off, I like the pictures and the noise does not really detract from them. In concert photography, you are going to get noise or motion blur and some is considered acceptable by most.

I think the reason no one has answered, is you have done all you can do with the gear you have. The lemon is dry and there is nothing left to squeeze out. You can use noise reduction in post processing, something like noise ninja, but you will sacrifice sharpness for noise reduction.

Your options are:
1 faster glass (but you will give up DOF)
2 strobes (but you will kill ambient)
3 better body with less noise at high ISO, like a D700 (you will give up hard earned $)

Try using noise reduction and see if you can find a balance you can live with between sharpness and noise

[Kole~Slaw]

Sorry for seeming so impatient. I guess I need to work on that. Thank you to those who commented I will use the advise as best as I can. Again Thank You!!!

[armis]

You can always try to get closer to the scene and use a wider prime lens; you can get some fast, affordable ones. I've had some luck sitting in the first or second row (in seated concerts) and shooting with my 50mm f/1.8. If that's not an option then renting a fast lens is your best bet.