first concert shoot!! .....possible setups...

[n.hubb22]

I have successfully lined up my first concert shoot!! Pretty excited about it! Now I just want to figure out what i'm going to use. (ultimately will eventually try out a bunch of different stuff, but i'd still like some suggestions)

So here's what i've got:

Nikon D7000
Nikon D3000

Nikkor 18-105 AF-S 3.5-5.6
Tonika 11-16 AT-X 2.8
Nikkor 50mm 1.8D
Nikkor 55-200 (i think its the 4.5) not sure tho

I'm thinking of using my 7000 with the 50mm on one setup and the 3000 with the 11-16. Wondering if anyone thinks that I would be better off using the 50mm on my 3000 since it will do better with the lower iso on the 3000? and then put the 11-16 (2.8) on the D7000?

I guess i don't necessarily need to use two bodies either? I just figured it would be nice to be able to switch between the prime and the wide angle on the fly.

If i wasn't going to use two bodies i also thought about selling the 3000 with the kit lens it came with and putting that towards a decent telephoto....say the nikkor 80-200 2.8D ED. Only thing with this is that i don't necessarily think that i'd need the telephoto right now due the the size of the venues i forsee my self shooting at in the near future.

Any thoughts or suggestions??





[h=3]
[/h]

 

[dylanstraub]

I like the camera to lens matchups. Depending on the situation you may want to bring an ND filter if the artist is under a hot light. That worked pretty well for me when my daughter was preforming on stage. Who are you shooting?

 

[n.hubb22]

I like the camera to lens matchups. Depending on the situation you may want to bring an ND filter if the artist is under a hot light. That worked pretty well for me when my daughter was preforming on stage. Who are you shooting?

Never used an ND filter, i'll have to look into that!

I'm shooting a local metal band. I put up an ad on craigslit for bands looking for live shoots and they were the first one to respond. They'll be all over the stage I assume, but it will be a good challenge for me!!

 

[D-B-J]

I agree. You will be getting much more light in the 11-16, so i would pair that with the D3000.

The Ultimate Concert Photography Primer

That's an interesting read with some general info.

 

[n.hubb22]

I agree. You will be getting much more light in the 11-16, so i would pair that with the D3000.

The Ultimate Concert Photography Primer

That's an interesting read with some general info.

Thanks for the link to that article!

He mentions in the article to go down to a 50mm 1.4, but I think i'll be just fine with the 1.8. Or at least I hope so! Only time will tell right!?

 

[Magellan]

Great read, thanks for the link!

To the OP, have you been to this venue before? If not, or even if you have, go check it out in advance. If circumstances permit, you might even go see another band beforehand, and take your camera. Definitely find out in advance what kind of lighting they have. You'll also want to ask how close you can get to the stage, and if flash is allowed. If you can get close enough, a tele lens isn't necessary at all---50mm on a crop body is approaching tele lengths anyway, and is often too long for more than one subject. And, 1.8 is perfectly fine. You will probably spend more time in the 2.5 to 3.2 range anyway...depth of field on a 50mm at 1.8 is very, very shallow.

ND filter might help for spotlights, or other bright incandescents, but you probably won't need one otherwise. An ND filter will under-expose your photos by two or more stops compared to without the filter. The purpose is typically to allow for slower shutter speeds without having to stop down, usually for motion blur effects. But I doubt that will apply in this case...often in smaller venues, even with stage lighting, you'll need every bit of light you can get. Typically, I find that for concerts, the faster the shutter speed, the better. Nothing worse than botching a set of photos because your subjects are all blurry.

 

[n.hubb22]

Great read, thanks for the link!

To the OP, have you been to this venue before? If not, or even if you have, go check it out in advance. If circumstances permit, you might even go see another band beforehand, and take your camera. Definitely find out in advance what kind of lighting they have. You'll also want to ask how close you can get to the stage, and if flash is allowed. If you can get close enough, a tele lens isn't necessary at all---50mm on a crop body is approaching tele lengths anyway, and is often too long for more than one subject. And, 1.8 is perfectly fine. You will probably spend more time in the 2.5 to 3.2 range anyway...depth of field on a 50mm at 1.8 is very, very shallow.

ND filter might help for spotlights, or other bright incandescents, but you probably won't need one otherwise. An ND filter will under-expose your photos by two or more stops compared to without the filter. The purpose is typically to allow for slower shutter speeds without having to stop down, usually for motion blur effects. But I doubt that will apply in this case...often in smaller venues, even with stage lighting, you'll need every bit of light you can get. Typically, I find that for concerts, the faster the shutter speed, the better. Nothing worse than botching a set of photos because your subjects are all blurry.

I have been to the venue before. But it's been a few years! I will def. try and get over there for a show once before the shoot (Nov. 9th). I have asked the contact from the band if I will be able to get right in front of the stage or not and she said yes. Should I contact the venue and ask the same question? I shouldn't have to pay to get into the show should I? I was thinking of asking the venue about that...but I don't really feel like portraying myself as a photographer who works for a magazine or somethign is right. Then if I tell them that I am just doing it for the band they may turn me away? I dunno...?

Thoughts?

 

[Magellan]

It really depends on the size of the venue and the crowd. Around here, most small venues and local bands don't exactly get a lot of press, they're a dime a dozen. If the band anticipates a good crowd, you'll need to get there early and set up before the crowd rolls in. I always do that anyway, to scout out where I want to take photos from. Being that it's a metal show, if they get any sort of good crowd at all, you'll want to find somewhere safe...moshing and taking photos don't mix too well :lmao:

Likewise, it's probably not necessary to contact the venue if it's somewhere small...I highly doubt they'll care if you're taking photos, whether it's for the band or not. People bring cameras into local shows all the time, at least here. HOWEVER it couldn't hurt to contact them. Feel free to ask if you can get in without paying cover, but they'll probably just laugh at that, haha. Are you charging for this shoot? If it were me, I would ask the band to pay for the cover fee.

Now if it's a larger venue, like a theater, or somewhere else that has its own box office and doesn't just take a cover fee at the door...that's a completely different story, and the only relevant part of the above would be getting there early. If that's the case, definitely contact the venue. Lots of the bigger places require press passes and won't even let you in with an SLR.

 

[Village Idiot]

And unless it's a good venue, the lighting will be **** and an ND is a horrible suggestion. In fact, an ND at a good venue is a terrible suggestion. Any time you can bring the ISO down and maintain a decent shutter speed, then you're better off. Shooting at places like Ram's Head Live, The Recher Theatre, and Sonar where national head lining acts play, I'm still pushing 2000+ ISO to maintain a decent shutter speed while shooting about f/2.8-f/5.6. Those are venues with good to excellent lighting conditions.

Ed: And if you can get infront of the stage, an 80-200 will be good for probably only a handful of shots. I use a 17-40 and 24-70 almost exclusively on a FF camera shooting a chest/neck level stages and they work perfectly. I only pull out the 70-200 when I'm in a crap postition or need to shoot the drummer close.

 

[n.hubb22]

I will for sure show up early and get situated. I plan on being 100% mobile during the shoot. I'll keep my 3000 with the 11-16 wide angle around my neck and shoot with the d7000 primarily. That way I can move around and not have to pick up and move my gear around.

I am not charging for this shoot, as it is my first concert shoot. I told the band that I would give them the images as a trade for allowing me to shoot their set. I hope to do a few like this then let my work speak for itself and get me some paid gigs in the future.

I just emailed the band actually asking them about press pass or access issues at the venue. It's a decent size venue in st. paul mn called Station 4. They get some pretty big headlining bands there on a regular basis so I will contact them anyways just to be sure!!

 

[PatrickJamesYu]

Metal bands are going to be all over that Tokina 11-16 2.8 you got
Bands love the wide angles.
Photographer's are way more sophisticated and would want to see different angles, not just wides.

If you have a flash, pair it up with this lens.
I'd shoot around f8
Bouncing the light gives great looks
Get up close and personal.
If it's a local band, shouldn't be a problem.
Don't worry if you're in the way of a 'fan'.
I would also shoot blind, throw the camera high and point it down at the musician, or whatever you're shooting.


A killer shot I think to have in an arsenal is from behind the drummer, showing parts of the drum kit, the other musicians, and part of the crowd (if there is one haha)

Goodluck.

 

[Village Idiot]

If you have a flash, pair it up with this lens.
I'd shoot around f8
Bouncing the light gives great looks

Flashes aren't allowed at most shows and unless the lighting is truly ****ty, is kills the shots. F/8 in the dark is going to be way too slow and have the person shooting with a slow shutter speed or a very high ISO. Most clubs are black inside. Basic science class in kindergarten taught us that black does what to lights? Absorbs is.

The photos on the club's Myspace page show that there's primarlily backlighting. On three of the photo sets I checked out, it was fairly prominent. Good luck in the getting paid department.

 

[Magellan]

He already said he wasn't charging...

Good luck with your first shoot! Sounds like you're off to a good start. Backlighting can be alright, IMO...just work with what you've got, try lots of different angles. Keep in mind that framing is extremely important for band shots...try not to cut off part of an instrument, or worse, part of a limb in an awkward place. Try some different perspectives with that wide angle...get on the ground and shoot upward, or shoot blind and point down, especially if you've got live view. And post some of the results

 

[n.hubb22]

He already said he wasn't charging...

Good luck with your first shoot! Sounds like you're off to a good start. Backlighting can be alright, IMO...just work with what you've got, try lots of different angles. Keep in mind that framing is extremely important for band shots...try not to cut off part of an instrument, or worse, part of a limb. Try some different perspectives with that wide angle...get on the ground and shoot upward, or shoot blind and point down, especially if you've got live view. And post some of the results

Thanks !! I'm pretty excited about it! I will post some of my results for sure!! Show is Nov. 9th so look for some a few days after!

 

[Village Idiot]

He already said he wasn't charging...

I never said he was...