Comments on: How To Photograph Rock Concerts – Beyond Basics

By: Luci

Luci — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:55:57 +0000

Hi everyone,

There are some great concert photography tips out there but this is something I would like to mention about the limitations of using autofocus in low light with overlapping planes as in a stage situation. My son is a drummer and I found much better results using manual focus as at the last nanosecond if the lights change or the autofocus is hunting you will get blurred sections and a case of severe disappointment.
Always take 2 extra seconds to set up your shots and check every single corner of the frame before pressing the shutter.

By: Paulo Sacramento

Paulo Sacramento — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:14:31 +0000

My best rock concert picture EVER, is this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulosacramento/3735743030/

By: RTC Konzertfotos

RTC Konzertfotos — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:19:10 +0000

and another important point is, do not just take pictures but enjoy the show as well! This will show on your photos!

By: Lem

Lem — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:04:00 +0000

I really enjoyed reading all the comments here. All of you have some valid points and for me the issue is not the concert itself but the crowd. I mainly shoot portraits but each year (for the past four years) I am invited to participate in a major festival’s photo team. This year they really want some good crowd stuff. To show the Immensity of the crowds. (several thousand at each nighttime show) if you’d like an idea of what I’m talking about see the artist section at http://lifest.com/photoViewer/.

I know that I would like to get either a 14mm 2.8 or a 17-55 2.8 but am having a hard time deciding. What are your Suggestions?

BTW I fully agree with katelovely on the both eyes openthing. I even started doing that at weddings when kids are around.

By: Rob Igo

Rob Igo — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:37:31 +0000

my tip – pratice practice practice, a year later since starting this, a few publications and I’m still learning!
(www.robigophotography.com)

By: KateLOVELY

KateLOVELY — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:43:43 +0000

One great trick i’ve taught myself is to shoot with both eyes open.
while you’re focusing on the bassist, who usually doesn’t move that much, trying to compose the perfect shot, the lead singer might be on the other side going absolutely bananas!
and If you keep your non-camera eye closed, you would have missed it.

By: Tarryne Rautenbach

Tarryne Rautenbach — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:10:09 +0000

I photograph loads of bands and i find it trial an error. Each concert / event if different and i continously switch between modes depending whats happenig with lighting. I never use flash at concerts. The lighting is usually great so you capture that ambiance as you see it. I did pics of ONE REPUBLIC and my lens was 18-55 and ISO was 1600. Had to push ISO as high as possible (Cannon 400D) I got a clear crop pic, but i was right infront of the stage by his microphone looking up and lighting was perfect. I also use 70-300 F4.5 lens to get close ups. Again it depends on the lens, which is not fast so im limited to getting some great shots hads i had faster lens. Where red spots lights are involved, i try avoid that shot as the light comes out pinky and hazy, so red does not work well at all. Also i never take my camera off my neck. By the time a concert is finished i have taken about 1300 pics…. out of those only a limited amount are really good. Got to keep snapping so i dont miss that shot. International conerts, only allowed to take pics of the first 3 songs, so its quick (International standard). I make mates with most of the bands and share my love of them though my eyes. Its has opened many doors for me with bands and getting a photographers press pass for an event. Im still learning after many concerts and photographing top internationals like MUSE, 30 Sec to Mars, Korn, CHris Cornell, Kaiser Chiefs, Fall Out Boy, Maroon 5, One Republic ….. :)
If anyone has any comments or further tips… please feel free to post up in response….

Tarryne Rautenbach

By: Ian Seddon

Ian Seddon — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 10:09:37 +0000

As with most advice, it is not meant to be a hard and fast rule, you have to adapt all of the above situations and try to find the best option for the gig at hand, another thing to look for is a sequence in the lighting and try to anticipate the bright portion DO NOT USE FLASH, this really does annoy the artist(s), it’s fine for crowd shots, but make sure you don’t over-expose it !

By the way Avangelist, the phrase you meant to say is “One fell swoop” :-)

By: Rajaram S

Rajaram S — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:03:22 +0000

I had been to a Bryan Adams concert in Cyprus (My first ever concert) and i enjoyed, both from the concert point of view and the photography point of view. Yes, it was difficult first to achieve a balance between the right ISO and shutter speed. Once i got the right setting for different areas of the stage, it was a great shoot! I completely agree to the fact that capturing the mood is as essential as capturing the rockstar. I got a good photo where the light from all the mobile phones in the crowd was visible --> Photo here

By: Ben C

Ben C — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:34:09 +0000

There is plenty of information here, it is much like reverse engineering others photographs, in that one has the principals for application, if they choose to use them wisely. If it was all written out like algorithms, then it would create a group of cloned photographers, which is never good.

If I may add this: If you do get a press pass or even backstage pass and was not able to make it to the lighting checks, put your camera down for at least one song and study the lighting. Don’t just look at it, analyze it for merits of creative lighting effects with intensities and gels duly noted. Then position yourself for some very creative backlight with dynamic butterfly or key lighting effects.

Don’t be afraid of higher ISO’s, setting the triangle properly will help in limiting noise and some noise can actually add a very nice dramatic effect. Also, do not be afraid of lens flair as that can really add some cool drama to the finals.