Concert tips

[Ernicus]

Hello all. Looks like I may be able to make it to the Zac Brown Band concert next weekend. I'm sure I'll come back with a thousand point n shoot pics, however I would like a few that might stand out. Does anyone have any tips for taking pictures at concerts? The event will be an outdoor event at evening/night time.

Thanks for any tips

 

[TCampbell]

A few tips:

What camera do you have?

1) Make sure you can bring your camera. Venues have different policies. Some block cameras. Some allow point & shoots but don't allow anything with a "removable lens" -- I've had some that allow cameras based on the length of the lens (which I thought was really odd... since it seemed like they were trying to prevent fans from bringing in any lens with respectable zoom, although there are lots of cameras with "short" lenses that can still get a decent telephoto shot.) And then some venues don't have a camera policy and you're welcome to bring whatever you want.

2) One of the more common mistakes I see in concert photos is over-exposure. This is usually because people assume the camera will automatically pick the right exposure. Normally a camera would, but the algorithm makes assumptions about how the average amount of reflectivity in a scene. Concerts don't conform to those assumptions. The "scene" is usually very dark/black, and then bright lights create strong highlights on the subjects. As a result, the camera tries to expose for the majority of the scene (the blackness) so it cranks the exposure to compensate for all that darkness. This causes the highlight areas to be completely blown out. If your camera allows you to selectively meter on the performer's face, that's what you want to do. If your camera doesn't allow you to selectively meter, then you might want to tell the camera to back off the exposure by at least 1 full stop ... and possibly 2.

3) Capture the energy so your picture convey a mood. A famous person standing on a stage between songs will just look like a person standing there... not very exciting. But if you can get them in the midst of the song with a lot of expression on their face... that'll make for a more interesting shot. It's the "decisive moment" that you're after. If you can catch some shots of the fans getting into the music, that helps convey the story too.... fans are a big part of the energy.

 

[Ernicus]

Zac puts a lot of feeling into some of his slower songs, and happiness in his faster songs...so ideally I'd like to catch those. However, I only have a Nikon D3100 with the 18-55 lens. From the lawn, I doubt I can zoom in that far, only 3x zoom. However, sometimes...at previous venues...I have been able to wonder a bit, so who knows.

Good point in topic #1. I never even thought about that. I'll have to definitely check into that.

Thanks for all the tips. Exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Steve5D]

How far away is the lawn?

I've shot hundreds of concerts, but never from "the lawn".

If I'm going to be sitting on the lawn at our amphitheatre here, I'm leaving the camera at home and will just enjoy the show. I just don't see getting any satsfying shots from that distance with that lens. The recommendations regarding facial expressions and such are fine for someone up in the pit, but the reality is that, from the distance you're going to be away from the stage, you're not going to see the facial expressions, unless you happen to catch them on the jumbotron.

Just my opinion...

 

[ChristianGrattan]

These are great tips. Especially #2. I make sure that my highlights are not blown out in a concert. Take a couple of test shots, look at the histogram and then go manual. There is usually not that much of a change in the lighting on the face.

Also this might be a great time to rent a long focal length lens to get the shot. And see if you can get into the photographers area in the front to get some pics. A fancy looking camera goes a long way to help this happen.

You could see about getting press credentials from the bands management in exchange for pics. Ask before hand, or ask the venue, you never know they might say yes!

 

[imagemaker46]

All the concerts I go to when I'm not working, which is most, as I like to enjoy the concerts. I do take a good point and shoot with me and play around with it for a little while, doesn't draw attention from concert or securty staff. Sometimes just having a few nice images are all you need to file away as memories.

 

[Steve5D]

Also this might be a great time to rent a long focal length lens to get the shot. And see if you can get into the photographers area in the front to get some pics. A fancy looking camera goes a long way to help this happen.

As someone who's spent an inordinate amount of time in "the pit", I can say that the above, in bold, is simply incorrect. A "fancy camera" means nothing. I've seen people in pits with point-n-shoots before. No one is impressed by the camera being used.

For national acts (like Zak Brown), access to the pit, normally, is tightly controlled. Showing up the to venue with a "fancy looking camera" isn't nearly enough to gain access. You need to have a reason to be there ("I want to take pictures" is not a valid reason). You need to be shooting for a media outlet, magazine, record company, etc. If you're not, and you somehow manage to gain access, you're only going to be in the way of people who are trying to actually work and have a valid reason for being there...

You could see about getting press credentials from the bands management in exchange for pics.

I've done that exactly once, and the band requested extensive examples of my work. I get the sense that the OP doesn't have an extensive concert portfolio to share...

[quote[Ask before hand, or ask the venue, you never know they might say yes![/QUOTE]

Anyone who says "Yes!" to some random photographer who wants to shoot a national act is someone who's not going to have a job for very long.

In order to shoot, three entities must permit it: The venue, the performer's management, and the performer. Any one of those three can bring photography to a screeching halt, regardless of what the other two say...

 

[WilliamDSLR]

I suspect it depends how far away you are and what lenses you are using. It's not always easy to capture good concert pictures with the constant array of changing lights etc.

I would definitely check if you are allowed to bring a camera in and of what spec. I remember being at a Meatloaf concert and they didn't allow anything other than disposables in!

 

[Ernicus]

Thanks for the discussion, I learn a lot reading your discussions.

The person who posted that my lens won't get me much from the lawn is exactly right. The place its at here in Bangor is pretty small, however the distance from the lawn area to stage is pretty far and my lens won't cut it. I was only hoping to be able to walk around and shoot. One time when I was at country thunder in Texas, many big names played, they pretty much let us wander around (everywhere except the pit)...as long as you came got your shot and left.

However everywhere is different and a little planning never hurts.

The person who said "op most likely don't have a portfolio" or something to that effect...exactly correct. lol. I can tell them I am loved on Facebook...but probly won't hold much weight. :-D

Thanks again for all your suggestions and tips and the discussion in the thread. All great information.

If I had a better lens that would reach close ups to the stage...I might consider taking the nikon, but honestly as is...probly just take my fuji point n shoot. It zooms and decent enough for memories. I won't mind much if beer spills on that one as I would my Nikon. lol

 

[gsgary]

I would just go and enjoy yourself, when i'm shouting concerts i'm using a 50F1.4, 24-70F2.8L, 70-200F4L and 300F2.8L
Most of the time i can only shoot the first 3 songs but now and again i get to shoot the whole concert so i shoot from the front and then retreat as not to spoil it for the fans and use my 300mm
This is one with the 300mm and on my 1Dmk2 which is usually there just for back up

 

[Steve5D]

Keith Marks, who was (and still may be) the Tour Manager for Styx, told me that the reason for the "three & out" rule has nothing to do with being a distraction to the crowd. Most bands and venues enfore it, but some do not.

Anyway, stage lights are hot, and it doesn't take long to for the band to start sweating and, in Marks' words, "to look like wet f*****g poodles".

Anyone who's ever shot Eddie Money will attest to that!