Metal Concert Photography

[SherifG]

Anybody can help in this?

I have a metal concert on July 9th and I really would appreciate your help here taking of the best camera setting (Shutter Speed / Aperture / ISO), poses, shooting directions, creative shots and anything that could help in getting a good outcome.

All the best.

[Parry]

Well i won't pretend to be a pro or anything - have only been doing SLR photos for 3 months, but i used to be in a band, and had a semi-pro friend do photos for us (photos of me next to photos of Paul Weller & REM...)

but these where taken with a 50mm prime lens, f/1.8 mostly 1600 ISO,

http://www.pazza.biz/gallery/index.php/Gig-Photos

was the 3rd gig i've tried to photo, but 1st with the prime lens...

[SherifG]

Parry really thank you for having the time to answer me..
I have checked your albums link and it is good... from what I have been able to gather that I have to shoot on the highest available ISO and a high shutter speed, but what about the Aperture??? Do i set it wide ?

[AnnaV]

How many people will be at the concert? How close will you be to the stage? If it's big and you don't have a press pass then you mgiht need something with more reach than 50mm. You definitely want a large (wide) aperture too.

[Parry]

that was another thing... i tend to do small un-signed/semi-signed band gigs..
where i at least, know one of the bands...

[SherifG]

Thanks Anna, most of the band members are friends and the attendance would be around 100 or so.

There is no path, so all the gathering will be just under the stage directly, i have tried before to take a place pushing myself into the crowd where i was about to be hurt several times!

I will set my camera in wide Aperture, and i think spot metering will do well with the random lighting, what do you think?

[SherifG]

What do you think of this? I have tried a little bit slow shutter speed to have the movement effect of head banging.

[Parry]

Originally Posted by SherifG

I will set my camera in wide Aperture, and i think spot metering will do well with the random lighting, what do you think?

sounds about what i do...

i'm off to a gig tonight myself, it also helps if you know the band and any "moves" that they tend to pull - the guitarist tonight, tends to stand at the front of the stage and point up...
so will be waiting for that one...

[SherifG]

Oh, well good luck pal and will wait to see the photos then..

[nowonder]

Okay, Concert photography is a challenge. I recently had the luck to photography Nine Inch Nails and Jane's addiction, since Trent Reznor was nice enough to relax the camera policy for that tour.

My advice? Shoot manual. The lighting systems are gonna mess with your settings, so take the guesswork out. I used my canon 70-200mm F2.8, and got some great shots. I shot everything at F2.8, and a 1/200, with my ISO maxed out.

The results speak for themselves.

From a stylistic POV, try to anticipate interactions between band members, they are much more interesting photos. Especially look for things like fans throwing clothes on stage.

Good luck, and post your results!

--nw