external flash at shows/concerts

elementguy13 · Jan 1, 2009

I know many say that its not needed but they add so much depth, you cant argue with that. But my problem is I have an external flash that doesnt swivel so its either head on or no external flash at all. Is their any way around this? One i dont want to blind them and be a complete tool and two i dont want the pictures to be washed out but I could fix that by just changing the exposure right?

dtornabene1 · Jan 1, 2009

Yes, you can use a diffuser like this one:

Lumiquest MidiBouncer - LQ3110 - LQ-110

However, you don't want to do this. First off, you will probably be asked to leave. Second, a flash is disruptive at a concert no matter what. Third, get faster lenses.

There is no place for a flash at a concert, sorry.

-Nick

Phelan · Jan 2, 2009

dtornabene1 said:
Yes, you can use a diffuser like this one:

Lumiquest MidiBouncer - LQ3110 - LQ-110

However, you don't want to do this. First off, you will probably be asked to leave. Second, a flash is disruptive at a concert no matter what. Third, get faster lenses.

There is no place for a flash at a concert, sorry.

-Nick

I'd say it depends on the type of concert. A jazz or orchestra concert, yeah probably going to be asked to leave. Pop/rock/rap concert or a rave and no one is likely to care.

ksmattfish · Jan 2, 2009

elementguy13 said:
But my problem is I have an external flash that doesnt swivel so its either head on or no external flash at all. Is their any way around this?

Off camera flashes triggered by remotes.

In this photo I hung a flash to either side of the stage, and triggered them with Pocket Wizards (with the band's permission).

JerryPH · Jan 2, 2009

elementguy13 said:
I know many say that its not needed but they add so much depth, you cant argue with that.

I can... and do... lol. Ask anyone with 4 months of experience what is better... flat on camera flash made pictures, or properly exposed pictures of the event using THEIR lighting... 99.9% will say "toss that flash into your bag... because it is HURTING you, not helping you!

elementguy13 said:
But my problem is I have an external flash that doesnt swivel so its either head on or no external flash at all. Is their any way around this? One i dont want to blind them and be a complete tool and two i dont want the pictures to be washed out but I could fix that by just changing the exposure right?

In most public events/concerts and what not, you are NOT allowed flash in the first place. It is rude and can disrupt the music. Also, unless you have a very powerful flash, most are useless beyond 30 feet. I always get a laugh out of some P&S camera user uselessly fashing their tiny flash from hundreds of feet away. Besides, if you use the right equipment, you don't even need a flash... which is another thing... though they may let you sneak in a camera phone or a point&shoot, they will often not even let you pass with a dSLR.

On those times that you do get in with a dSLR... fast glass and knowledge of how your equipment works and how to get the best from your camera is more important than being that "tool" that needs to be escorted out for disrupting the band.

No flash needed.

stsinner · Jan 2, 2009

LOL.. Both of those bands posted look very interesting....

Jerry, I'll bet you shake your head and chuckle, as I do, at events like Dear Leader's speeches that are on TV when you see thousands of useless flashes going off in the stands.. It looks like glitter, but they are absolutely useless!

epp_b · Jan 2, 2009

A jazz or orchestra concert, yeah probably going to be asked to leave.

At an orchestra, you're probably not going to be able use a camera at all because of the shutter noise.

dEARlEADER · Jan 2, 2009

stsinner said:
LOL.. Both of those bands posted look very interesting....

Jerry, I'll bet you shake your head and chuckle, as I do, at events like Dear Leader's speeches that are on TV when you see thousands of useless flashes going off in the stands.. It looks like glitter, but they are absolutely useless!

funny... i never thought my speeches made it out of my republic...

Garbz · Jan 2, 2009

elementguy13 said:
I know many say that its not needed but they add so much depth, you cant argue with that. But my problem is I have an external flash that doesnt swivel so its either head on or no external flash at all. Is their any way around this? One i dont want to blind them and be a complete tool and two i dont want the pictures to be washed out but I could fix that by just changing the exposure right?

I am sorry but straight on flashing rarely if ever adds depth to an image. Proper use of strobes off camera is the only way to go.

Also it depends entirely on the concert. Ksmattfish's example is good if you the photographer are deciding on the lighting. Afterall someone has to, this is not something that should be left up to chance of where the band will play. It's simple, if there is a good lightshow to work with, then don't ruin the show with a flash, especially if the lights are choreographed to the show, but if a guy is playing in a pub with no lighting what so ever then it's up to you as the photographer to do what you can.

JerryPH · Jan 2, 2009

ksmattfish said:
In this photo I hung a flash to either side of the stage, and triggered them with Pocket Wizards (with the band's permission).

Key words... "with permission". Nice shot.

JerryPH · Jan 2, 2009

dEARlEADER said:
funny... i never thought my speeches made it out of my republic...

I didn't even know you were on TV in Canada! :lol:

GeneralBenson · Jan 2, 2009

JerryPH said:
I didn't even know you were on TV in Canada!

They have TV's in Canadia?

JerryPH · Jan 2, 2009

Of course we have TV... but only 1 channel... and in French only.

elementguy13 · Jan 2, 2009

Many people shoot at this venue with external flashes, nobody cares and the bands dont either. Just some local hardcore bands. Im just worried the room is to dimly lit. Not many lights.

heres a picture taken at the same venue with an external. I think this is an exceptional live picture and it really captures the moment, I dont think it takes away from what it could have been without the flash at all. What do you think?

Dear Dallas on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

sorry i cant embed it. the flickr doesn't allow.

Village Idiot · Jan 5, 2009

Deja Vu. We just had this discussion last week.

Certain venues it's ok. Certain venues it's absolutely needed. I remember trying to shoot a friend's band playing at a local bar with the ambient lights. I was shooting 1600 ISO with a 50mm f/1.8 @ f/1.8 and I was managing shutter speeds at 1/15-1/20 for an acceptable exposure.

But I shot at a pretty large venue last friday. The stage lights were enough so that I could shoot at ISO 3200 - ISO 6400 and get shutter speed of about 1/250 at some points. The venue stated no photography in the first place and any professionals that would have been there would not have used a flash.