Tips for Shooting at a concert

[HoosierGal]

A friend's band is playing tomorrow night and I'd like to take some photographs - if I can get up the nerve. I'm still a little shy about photographing in public with lots of people around. I think they'll expect something really good quality given my dslr. I've never shot something like this - with probably very low light. I know I'll probably need to shoot 1600 (as high as I can go). I have a 50mm 1.8 which might help me out. Any suggestions for dealing with the lighting. For composing given the crowd and possibly crowded stage? Don't know how close I'll be able to get - have no idea what the setup is. Last one had an open standing area closest to the stage. If that's the case I won't be able to get much of anything unless I can be right in front.

[OeterB]

Excuse me while I use this thread to also showcase some of my photos... haha.

Straight off the bat. BE FEARLESS! There's nothing scary about shooting a concert/gig. But, naturally, a few safety pointers.

Obviously if the band know you, this is a HUGE plus. They'll know you're taking photos of them, so they'll probably pose for you and what not. But they'll also keep an eye on you. Do let the bouncers know that you know the band, and you're taking photos, and an introduction to the bar manager doesn't go astray. And, of course, if you can go with a friend (or preferably 2, so friend #1 isn't bored while you're working). If for no other reason, it means you have someone to a) get you a drink/look after said drink, and b) to leave your camera with if you go to the toilet. But it's also someone else to watch your back. While I'd like to say "You'll be aces!", it's a concert. Chances are people will be drinking if it's a pub or licensed venue, and, naturally, drunks aren't always friendly. If someone says "Hey, take a photo of me!" Just do it to get em off your back.


So, HUGE advantage for you over me. When I first started, I used a point and shoot. So much poorly exposed photography...



Before I get onto SLR stuff, dealing with the crowd. You'll find most people will be more than willing to accomodate you if you tell them you're with the band, and you want to get in front of them for a few minutes while you take some photos. But, don't limit yourself to shots from the front row. If you know the band (and have told the bouncers you're with the band), be creative.

One of my favourite shots came from the afterparty for the Jungle Juice. JJ is a massive horse meet, and what follows a day of heavy drinking is a night of heavy drinking. They cram hundreds of people into a small party where my mate's were performing.

To give you an idea of the crowd, this poor photo. But, I didn't let them put me off, even with a point and shoot. This is one of my favourite photos from the night, and of a lot of shoots I've done:


How'd I get it? Getting on the stage... camera high above my head, looking down at the drummer. Being able to freely move about the stage with the band makes for some fascinating shots --- from behind the drummer looking down into the crowd, the lead singers lips on the mic as his fans scream in the front row. Get up there, get into it.

Also, don't forget the back of the room, looking over the crowd to the stage (try and get there without people noticing, so you don't have people doing the "LOOK AT ME!" poses in your photos).

A few things in composing your photos.

a) Don't forget the drummer. So many do.

b) Don't forget to look elsewhere other than the guitar...


c) Try for the natural look --- don't always get the photo of the guitarist doing an obvious "I'm a rockstar" pose.

d) Think outside the box. A gig I was at recently had a photographer who I was chatting to taking photos from under my chair (people in front of the stage were seated on the ground, then some on seats, then standing... the place was packed, so way beyond the standing, were those standing in the rain listening). Looking under my chair, with my legs acting as a natural frame, camera slightly tilted, looking at the guitarist weave his magic.



Now, camera settings.

No flash. Shoot in RAW. Take plenty of memory cards --- try not to delete as you go, as you never know what may or may not work...



I tend to shoot 1600 myself. I find the 450D handles noise pretty well, esp. if you have noise reduction turned on. But try 800 first if you can. Try spot metering --- you want the lighting right on your subject, not necessarally the background. Appeture, don't shoot wide open. While shooting at f/1.8 seems like a good idea to get more light, you may wind up with sharp eyes, and everything else blurred away. I've taken photos at f/2.2 which have been decent, but I try to stick around f/4 - 5.6.

I try not to shoot anything slower than 1/30 hand held (A Single Tear) was taken at 1/30, f/5.6, at 155mm zoom). Use the environment around you --- lean on a high table or a wall or a hand rail to steady yourself/camera.

My next suggestion... don't forget your kit lens! While I have the next kit lens up from you (the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6), which allows me to get in nice and close with some shots...


...the opposite is also true. For example, this shot taken at 20mm:


But, in the end, go, enjoy the music, and don't be afraid to work the room. Squeeze through the crowd, work the stage if you can, look around for something different (one pub gig I did I took more photos of lines of empty glasses and the crystal ball than I did of the band... haha). But, be careful, stay safe, and take lots of photos! While you may take a lot of out of focus/under exposed shots, you may just get that winner that the band will love you forever for.

[HoosierGal]

First, thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed response. Second, you've got some wonderful photos!

Originally Posted by OeterB

BE FEARLESS! There's nothing scary about shooting a concert/gig.

I am so NOT fearless. I hate to draw attention to myself, but I don't expect I can get many good ones if the goal is to blend in.

It's a family-oriented venue, so no problems with drunks or bouncers. :-) I'll have my 12, 16, 18 and 19 year-olds with me, too. As well as lots of friends. Bad part is that I worry more about looking foolish in front of people I know, who cares if some stranger thinks I'm weird? ;-)

Originally Posted by OeterB

A few things in composing your photos.

a) Don't forget the drummer. So many do.

No problem. My friend IS the drummer. :-)

Originally Posted by OeterB

b) Don't forget to look elsewhere other than the guitar...

c) Try for the natural look --- don't always get the photo of the guitarist doing an obvious "I'm a rockstar" pose.

d) Think outside the box. A gig I was at recently had a photographer who I was chatting to taking photos from under my chair (people in front of the stage were seated on the ground, then some on seats, then standing... the place was packed, so way beyond the standing, were those standing in the rain listening). Looking under my chair, with my legs acting as a natural frame, camera slightly tilted, looking at the guitarist weave his magic.

Sounds like you are very creative.

Originally Posted by OeterB

No flash. Shoot in RAW. Take plenty of memory cards --- try not to delete as you go, as you never know what

I tend to shoot 1600 myself. I find the 450D handles noise pretty well, esp. if you have noise reduction turned on. But try 800 first if you can. Appeture, don't shoot wide open. While shooting at f/1.8 seems like a good idea to get more light, you may wind up with sharp eyes, and everything else blurred away. I've taken photos at f/2.2 which have been decent, but I try to stick around f/4 - 5.6.

Sometimes I forget to think about things like this, so this is a great point. I do nearly always shoot in RAW at this point. I love being able to do so much pp work with the raw files. Oh, and I better go learn how to turn on the noise reduction - still learning some of these things on the camera.

Thanks, again, Peter. I am getting some confidence in my photography recently, it's just this one area (drawing attention to myself) that I'm struggling with. So, don't think I'm overly down on my abilities. At this point, I will take my camera and I'm going to try to push myself out of my comfort zone, but no promises other than that.

[beth0b]

Thanks for posting your concerns.. you get advice for yourself but us other readers get to take this tips for ourselves too! I attend concerts often and want to try my hand at some shots, just for my self, sometime soon. Hearing your questions then reading the advice encourages me to head out and try it too


Oh and you have to post the pictures after! Have fun and good luck!

[OeterB]

Originally Posted by HoosierGal

First, thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed response. Second, you've got some wonderful photos!

Welcome! And thank you!

Originally Posted by HoosierGal

I am so NOT fearless. I hate to draw attention to myself, but I don't expect I can get many good ones if the goal is to blend in.

It's a family-oriented venue, so no problems with drunks or bouncers. I'll have my 12, 16, 18 and 19 year-olds with me, too. As well as lots of friends. Bad part is that I worry more about looking foolish in front of people I know, who cares if some stranger thinks I'm weird?

I don't know what other people feel around here, but unless we're stalking someone/thing, attention isn't a bad thing. I'm always making a fool of myself while taking photos... either to make kids laugh, falling down hills (like I did tonight while taking a sunset), or getting hammered by a wave while looking through the lens at the band on the breakwall... But sounds like you'll have a great introduction to gig photography --- family, friends, and family-orientated gigs are the best! So much easier than what I described!

Originally Posted by HoosierGal

No problem. My friend IS the drummer.

Sounds like you are very creative.

Well, that makes it easy! But, the opposite applies for you, too... don't focus entirely on him!

I have my days... too few with regards to my writing

Originally Posted by HoosierGal

Sometimes I forget to think about things like this, so this is a great point. I do nearly always shoot in RAW at this point. I love being able to do so much pp work with the raw files. Oh, and I better go learn how to turn on the noise reduction - still learning some of these things on the camera.

You'll probably still get some noise if the lighting is poor. I took some photos tonight at a pub... worst lighting ever... blue light, pointed at the wall, no light on the musos. Urgh...



Yes, Dave is playing bagpipes (in between belting out lead vocal)... AC/DC, Highway to Hell, the Loony way. After this gig, while they packing up, my mate and I were catching up with them... my cheeks still hurt from laughing so much.

But, those photos were taking with noise reduction, and after PP reduction. But, RAW made it tolerable to salvage some decent pics.

As for noise reduction:

Go into your menu (on any of your modes from P around to M)>>>Settings #3 (the yellow wrench with three dots)>>>Custom Functions>>>Option 4.

Originally Posted by HoosierGal

Thanks, again, Peter. I am getting some confidence in my photography recently, it's just this one area (drawing attention to myself) that I'm struggling with. So, don't think I'm overly down on my abilities. At this point, I will take my camera and I'm going to try to push myself out of my comfort zone, but no promises other than that.

Again, welcome. And your confidence is warranted --- you've got some great photos in your flickr/assignments. Settle your nerves however you wish, few deep breaths, and dive in (not literally, as crowd surfing with a dSLR may be hazardous to your camera's life...). Worst happens is your photos don't turn out. People won't care in the slightest that you're taking photos.


OH! Speaking of taking a few deep breaths... while, if you were in a proper photog pit, you'd have the first 3 songs to get your photos, then you'd get bounced... that isn't the case here. So, take a song or two to get the vibe of the band AND the room, an idea of lighting patterns (which, unless they have a specific light crew, will just be on rotation), and then go take your photos during a song. Go back, review, and repeat

And find out if the band will be doing anything special at any point --- I have come to know quite a few local acts who belt out that loud note at a particular point in a song (causing throats to strain, veins to pop), or start drumming on their guitar, or walk out into the crowd, or whatever.

[OeterB]

Originally Posted by beth0b

Thanks for posting your concerns.. you get advice for yourself but us other readers get to take this tips for ourselves too! I attend concerts often and want to try my hand at some shots, just for my self, sometime soon. Hearing your questions then reading the advice encourages me to head out and try it too.

Definitely give it a go, Beth.

BUT... as outlined over HERE (I linked to the second page as my post is first, and I feel it's a decent starters guide to getting permission to taking photos of music), don't just go to, say, Kings of Leon/John Mayer/Elton John, and expect to pull out your dSLR. You'll have it taken off you. You need permission, written, from the bands agents at majority of big concerts before you can take photos. In fact, I'd go as far as saying any concert you pay money for, you need permission to shoot. Local bands will rarely (if ever) object to you rocking up to a pub and you saying "Hey, I want to take photos, you mind? I'll send you some for your MySpace". So, start low

And, starting low really does help --- one of my friends who I shoot a fair bit (Bob, in a few of the pics above) is supporting a bigger Australian act (Bob Evans) and I'm well on my way to getting a pass for the evening through a publication --- yay for contacts.

[HoosierGal]

The evening went well. The band sounded great. And I actually came away with some good photos. I was able to get a spot right up next to the stage (and next to a speaker). I struggled with focusing due to very low lighting. Like the first one. I love the composition, but his face isn't focused well enough.



The second is my friend, the drummer. A bit of a goofy look, but that's how he is, so it captures his personality. (Not that he's goofy, just that he often makes goofy faces. :-)

My favorite:


There are more on my flickr if you want to click through.

There was a professional photographer there, too. He was using a diffused speedlite. I wish I could see what he got. Maybe the band will have them on their site sometime. Oh, which reminds me - gotta plug the band, check them out at urbanitesmusic.com. They really are a talented bunch. All play multiple instruments and all sing, too.

I really did enjoy it (other than my still ringing right ear - speaker was on my right). I don't go to concerts too much so I don't know if I'll be doing that again soon, but I'm sure there will be other low-light events that the knowledge I picked up there will help with. I do love learning new stuff (not just about photography).

Thanks again, Peter!

[OeterB]

Very nice photos, Kate. Particularly like the 2nd and 3rd one --- the look on your drummer friend's face is gold!

Personally, I would've slapped the professional photographer across the back of the head. If he can't take live music photos without a speedlite, he doesn't deserve to call himself a pro. It's the easy way out, takes away all the atmosphere of the concert, irritates the audience and the band (with the flash flash flash), and would result in him getting punted out of a big concert photography pit.

Originally Posted by HoosierGal

I really did enjoy it (other than my still ringing right ear - speaker was on my right). I don't go to concerts too much so I don't know if I'll be doing that again soon, but I'm sure there will be other low-light events that the knowledge I picked up there will help with. I do love learning new stuff (not just about photography).

Isn't that just the best... I wound up between a speaker and a set of bagpipes the other night. My ears had a nice work out. If I ever do it more seriously, I'll have to invest in some good quality concert earplugs.

But, do keep it up. Some quality photos from the night --- and you're right, the tricks will spill over into other areas. Learning your way around shutter speeds, using appeture, spot metering, etc, is real handy for low light photography of any sort. Cheers for sharing the finished results

[HoosierGal]

Originally Posted by OeterB

Very nice photos, Kate. Particularly like the 2nd and 3rd one --- the look on your drummer friend's face is gold!


Personally, I would've slapped the professional photographer across the back of the head. If he can't take live music photos without a speedlite, he doesn't deserve to call himself a pro. It's the easy way out, takes away all the atmosphere of the concert, irritates the audience and the band (with the flash flash flash), and would result in him getting punted out of a big concert photography pit.

Thanks! Well, I assumed he was a professional based on his access, but I'm going to ask my friend. I will definitely be using earplugs if I do it again! :-)

[pakyooh]

Your shots turned out very well. I'm with you on 3rd photo but I like the 2nd shot as well.

Sorry to digress but going back to the "fearless" subject, thats one problem I have too. I wanted to take some shots of some guys playing ball while I was walking around. I probably paced back and forth so many times before deciding to skip it. Just feel really disappointed that I let that happen since I had some nice shoots in mind. Like you mentioned also, I have this worry about the expectation of the end result. Since I am lugging around an slr, others would expect those great shots out of me. I just have to remind myself that I'm a beginner and just go for it.