Comments on: Concert Photography

By: art meripol

art meripol — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:02:19 +0000

Just found this by accident while surfing. I am glad to read that pretty much all that I experienced in the 70’s and 80’s still applies. Very straightforward information and exactly how I shot all my work on my concert photography website. Of course mine was film, long before digital and autofocus,but still, no flash, three songs ( you hope) road managers from hell, crowd jealous, get credentials, work the light, manual exposure, shoot with the music, shoot tight and watch for them to find the lens. I would only add that for bigger shows, arrive well before the lights go down, make friends with the T-shirt security so they aren’t wasting your three songs checking to see if you belong.

grateful for anyone to check out my site.

By: Digital Army » Blog Archive » A Different Approach To Concert Photography

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:59:37 +0000

[...] read this article that gives tips and insights on how shoot photos at concerts. Share and Enjoy: These icons link [...]

By: Martin Cox

Martin Cox — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:56:57 +0000

Nice article…

One thing I do differently.. I think autofocus works fine if you’re close enough to the action and it’s light assisted. Without auto, accurate focus must be a nightmare with those wide aperture lenses.

Check out my results a http://www.gigshot.co.uk and feel free to drop me a line via the site

Cheers
Martin

By: joan

joan — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 06:21:29 +0000

Gotta love it!

By: James

James — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:47:51 +0000

I just wanted to come on here and comment on how great your site is. Ive been little bits of live photography for awhile and just started getting the right equipment to do it well. Great helpful hints to really get started and focused on the right stuff, since concert stuff is so much improve, you really have to have to fundamentals down. Thanks

By: Concert Reviews

Concert Reviews — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:00:09 +0000

I never use flash, take tons of photos and usually use a high iso which gives me a good shot for the web.. but not really for printing purposes. I’m only a point and shoot guy with a panasonic TZ1 which offers a 10x zoom - The closer the better obviously - I only ever look for a couple good shots from the night. If anyone knows this camera at all and can suggest different setting options please do. Other suggestions for point and shoot cameras with 10-12x zoom I am looking for also with good video clip features. I take photos and clips for my reviews site.

thanks
Jeff

By: Dave Williams

Dave Williams — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:16:46 +0000

I have been fortunate to photograph a lot of great musicians. I would appreciate it if you would check out my work.

My Webzine: Brain Dead Media

Personal Myspace: Dave Williams Myspace

By: Gino

Gino — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:13:41 +0000

Before you go to your gig, try and find out, through the internet (Youtube, band website, fan forum), if there is live footage of the current tour. That’ll give you some indication of the band and stage set-up, and perhaps even a playlist.

If you have a playlist for the current tour, try and find out which are the first three songs. Familiarise yourself with these tracks before you go so you know if there are any emotional or tense bits that might be good moments to capture the band or the singer performing.

By: Konzerte fotografieren … | Digitale Fotografie Lernen - KWERFELDEIN - Martin Gommel

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:13:26 +0000

[...] Photocritiq.org - Concert Photography [...]

By: Ben Gummery

Ben Gummery — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:33:25 +0000

You’ve missed something out there, if you get into the pit IT WILL BE LOUD!

EAR PLUGS ARE ESSENTIAL!!!!

Just something worth noting if you value you’re hearing as anyone working in and around stages will tell you.

By: Neal Preston

Neal Preston — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:30:30 +0000

Hi.
I’m not sure who wrote the original article, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents regarding camera positions at a concert, as I have somewhat different advice, and probably more experience than any living person on the planet:
1. DON’T get as close as possible.You will only limit your photo possibilities…..WIDEN OUT….. Let your frame “breathe”.
2. DON’T shoot where everyone else is shooting from.
3. DO shoot from where everyone else ISN’T- even if all you’re shooting is the back of the band. I guarantee that your pictures will be infinitely better than anyone else’s.

-Neal Preston

By: Paul Devereux

Paul Devereux — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:20:15 +0000

Hi
been reading this blog for a while now has been very usefull .
Ive been lucky enough to take many photos of some big name rock bands over the last few years
some of wich can be found here
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v331/R1FSR/DREAM%20THEATER%20-%20Manchester%2007/
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v331/R1FSR/SATRIANI%20-%20Manchester%2006/
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v331/R1FSR/SCORPIONS%20Manchester%2007/
and was wondering about getting my name into some agencies to open up the chances of more photo passes…is there any in particular that i should contact , any info would be apreciated .

cheers
Paul

By: Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:40:18 +0000

I am the photographer for http://www.concerttickets.com. The bottom line for good concert photography is being as close to the stage as possible. Even front row seats can place you 25 feet from the performer. Other points is that if you are in a venue that where seats are set up on a grade, it is good to know how many rows to be up to be level with the performer. This can provide a straight on view. We often get back stage passes and get very interesting photography. But when we are out front, close is key.

Mark Johnson
Senior Photographer
http://www.concertickets.com

By: Thierry

Thierry — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:33:22 +0000

Photos of Placebo in concert - Montréal / Québec

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:27:51 +0000

I used to go on the road with Matchbox Twenty as my X was their production manager, so I got to go where I wanted and go crazy with my camera….My LOVE!! I love photography and I got some incredible shots that I think would be t shirt, poster, jacket worthy. Incredible lighting that iA caught under an incredible bright blue light wiht Adam on guirtar and Rob Thomas on the piano. GREAT photo really, im very impressed with my skill there. I have many more that I cherish and that no one has seen (aka have never been in a magazine) they are mine and mine alone and my pride and joy. I was able to wonder anywhere I wnated because of the fact I was engaged to their production manager for years so I got to go behind the ropes. Many would say “youre so lucky to get so close” I only thought of it as I got to take these incredible pictures tht no one else could take unless you were the photographer for MTV, and mind you my photos look if not better or just right up there with a simple camera, but the heart a passion of a photographer. Not to meantion I got some signed after I had them printed to my expectations. I will never forget how I had the oppertunity to take photos so close to a band I love and they came out better then “known photographers” because I had WAY more passion for the actual photos I was taking!! Believe that Zoie85022@yahoo.com

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 05:08:36 +0000

I’m really glad I came across sites like this before I took my camera to too many shows. My first few attempts I was that annoying jerk with the flash going off every 3 seconds. I’ve since bought a 50mm 1.8 for my Nikon D80 and am able to get decent shots without a flash at all. I don’t necessarily abide by the 3 song rule, but I usually only take photos at small gigs where the band probably enjoys as must exposure as they can get (pun intended…).

Check out my photos of Wintersleep live in Toronto here:

http://www.wolveshawksandkites.com/2007/10/18/live-in-toronto-drug-rug-cut-it-up-and-wintersleep-welcome-the-night-sky/

Thanks for the tips!

By: Cody Lieberman

Cody Lieberman — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:47:31 +0000

Thank you for the tips. Very helpful. Check my site out I have just started out after taking several classes in Photography. Would love to have some input. http://www.freewebs.com/purephotography

By: Alex Garrod

Alex Garrod — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 21:01:24 +0000

fantastic blog, concert photography is great. I have a local venue which i cover, unfortunantly the extent of the lighting is about the same as that of a maglite! still some photos are good! by far the best i have ever taken were at the liverpool summer pops photograhing whitesnake, i didn’t have any photo pass so i got bouncered what made up for it though was some 1st class photos of david coverdale!

thanks for the advice!
i particulary liked the 3 rules however i don’t agree with the first three songs, i notice pro photographers doing it at weddings as well as concerts. I just think its arrogant, you miss the atmosphere

By: On Stage Lighting

On Stage Lighting — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:45:24 +0000

Thanks for a great article. After year of being responsible for “not providing enough light” for you snappers, I am trying my hand at gig photography. The help is appreciated.

By: Chels

Chels — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 02:14:00 +0000

I abosoluty love this article! I do concert photography and no one understands why I do it or why anyone does it. But some of the best pictures come from being in the crowd, rockin to the music and gettin shots. I use a Nikon Coolpix and its been great for me! I use a variety of cameras but that the “usual” grab.

The shot with James of Eighteen Visions is one of my favorite pics. I’ve seen them live several times, met them and some of my best work been of them. I’ve seen a lot of pics of bands from live shows and its hard to find those that grab your attention and make you want it forever.

Awesome article once again!

I have a website with my concert photography coming just like a lot of others lol

http://www.stillcoda.com

By: ivan

ivan — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:33:29 +0000

Hey!!
I love this article!!!
i always take photos to all concerts I go! I have a cannon 350-d with 18-55, 28-200,75-300!!

soyviaje4@yahoo.es (my email)
I tell you my space,there I have photoconcerts!!!
a hug

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:09:31 +0000

Bob

By: Ryan Yoakem

Ryan Yoakem — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 06:01:52 +0000

Hey, great article!
It’s good to know there are others out there who love shooting concerts as much as I do.

Check out the concert shots on my site.

By: edward przydzial

edward przydzial — Wed, 09 May 2007 07:56:40 +0000

the 28 is always gonna be more light but with “digital” you don’t need to worry as much about that. if you use a film camera, sometimes i will use fill flash or i will “push” the film a stop or 2 if it’s a really dark bar.

the 28 is gonna be a wide angle… if that’s the effect your looking for. you can use the stock 18-55mm just as easy if you know a few of these tips.

i don’t carry extra lens when i shoot a concert i carry extra cameras… all nikons of coarse but sometimes i
will carry up to 5 cameras at a particular event. 2, 35mm professional bodies and maybe 2 or 3 smaller mom & pop shooters like the 4600 or whatever to get a different “vibe” or look and feel… gonzo style.

be creative, go do a few test shoots, see what works best for you. be artistic and you’ll see even bad photos may have a certain charm. hope this answers a few questions for you.

good shooting.

By: beDUB

beDUB — Mon, 07 May 2007 04:59:11 +0000

Just picked up a Nikon D40 myself and have been looking for some advice on shooting my buddy’s hip-hop band at local bars. Right now I’m using the kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) and I’m constantly searching for more LIGHT! I’ll keep in mind a 50mm f/1.8, but for really intimate settings, where I have free run of the bar to get any shot I want, would a 35 or 28mm be a better choice?

Check out some of my first live concert shots with my new d40:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trompen/collections/72157600134510487/

By: foto�raf d�nyas�-her�ey-haber,makina,adres vs. - Sayfa 11 - N�ve Forum

foto�raf d�nyas�-her�ey-haber,makina,adres vs. - Sayfa 11 - N�ve Forum — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 20:53:13 +0000

[...] ‘tut’; konser foto�raflar� Etiketler: konser, konser foto�raflar�, nas�l yap�l�r, howto k��k ve b�y�k mekanlarda konser foto�raflar� �ekmenin s�rlar�. poponuza tekmeyi yememek i�in standart [...]

By: João Almeida

João Almeida — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 20:20:49 +0000

Yesterday I shot my first concert photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/t3mujin/sets/72157594578043123/) and I was able to confirm one thing: a fixed lens really is a damn cool lens for concerts!

By: Charitycase

Charitycase — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 01:24:07 +0000

I’m definantly NOT a pro when it comes to photography, but I’m going to school for it and always end up at shows taking photos of my friends bands. It’s one of my favorite things to do, and when asked at school what kind of photography I’m working towards, my response is always that I’m really into concerts. I don’t think half of the people I talk to understand it.

I LOVE THIS ARTICLE!!
I’ve been wanting to ask photographers that actually do concert shots about how they do their magic. I’ve come up with some great photos, but I want to get more personal, and learn how to deal with the lighting.
This article just opened my eyes! Thanks!

By: Photocritic » Concert photography at smaller venues

Photocritic » Concert photography at smaller venues — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:36:18 +0000

[...] we recently posted our guide to concert photography, someone rightly pointed out that the tips were mostly geared towards larger venues with [...]

By: Tom Besson

Tom Besson — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 05:24:34 +0000

I recently purchased a Nikon Digital Scanner so I could scan into my computer 30+ years of slide and negative photography. Approximately 400 rolls of that film is of concerts I photographed mostly between 1977 and 1983. As a matter of fact, the reason I purchased a 35mm camera in the first place was to photograph concerts. I have photographed about 125 bands from ACDC to ZZ Top (6 times). Tonight as I was scanning a roll of ZZ Top from the El Loco tour in 1982 I decided to google concert photography and you came up. I have something to add to your rules. Position is almost everything. Know your band and how they are going to be positioned on the stage before you get there so you can get an advantageous position. (Note: Almost all of my photography was done in the old general admission days.) If you are not positioned well you will not get good shots. If you are mainly interested in guitarists as I was, you will need to position yourself to the guitarist’s right (if he is right handed, reverse if left) or facing the guitarist to your left. This is because you will be working with shallow depth of fields. This way the neck of the guitar will be furtherest away from you. This doesn’t sound like much but if you shoot into the neck it is likely that the guitarist will be in focus but the guitar neck will not be in focus. I don’t take to many photos at shows any more although I did shoot Peter Frampton this year (I too old now and stick out like a sore thumb) but I tell you shooting concerts although very tough to do from a concert crowd was some of the best times of my life. I wish I could go back and do them all over again.