Comments on: How Do I Take Band Promotional Photos? http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in our understanding of photography. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:12:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: CR http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-224898 CR Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:26:52 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-224898 Yes good band photos require good technical handling of the camera... but what they really need to stand out is ideas. More here: http://www.extrageographic.org/how-to-make-a-good-band-photo-music/ Yes good band photos require good technical handling of the camera… but what they really need to stand out is ideas. More here: http://www.extrageographic.org/how-to-make-a-good-band-photo-music/

]]> By: Elaina http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-153054 Elaina Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:29:48 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-153054 I agree that it depends on what type of music they play, but assuming its rock/pop/indie do something neutral like a dessert or a cool old factory. I did a photoshoot in a junkyard once and it turned out very cool. Avoid the same shit diff. day photos. I agree that it depends on what type of music they play, but assuming its rock/pop/indie do something neutral like a dessert or a cool old factory. I did a photoshoot in a junkyard once and it turned out very cool. Avoid the same shit diff. day photos.

]]> By: Bruce http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-125046 Bruce Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:34:22 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-125046 I came from a 'tech" background in music. So, it was nice to read the remarks from Chris. I think my experience in the entertainment industry helps me with band photos. Shooting Live: Don't waste your time changing the lens. Your better off with two camera. Make the stage lights work FOR you. The lights will be there so take advantage of them. Move around, try different angles, different perspectives. Ask before you do something. Don't just assume it's OK to climb on the side fills to get your shot. Studio Work: Local bands, consider a composite shot. people come and go. Usually as soon as a band gets a new promo, some one quits. make the band bring a few clothing options, just because your girlfriend picked it out, doesn't mean it looks cool. the classic black and white image with a white background still works. Location shots: No train tracks, no brick walls. Unless your a death metal band, no grave yards.. General ideas..Talk to the band, but don't let them run the shoot. You want them to be happy, but you are the photographer. Think outside the box. A previous post made a great suggestion, do the opposite of what the "normal" look for a genre would be. Props are OK...if if fits the band. A wedding band with swords isn't going to help them get gigs. Keep the shoot FUN.. I came from a ‘tech” background in music. So, it was nice to read the remarks from Chris. I think my experience in the entertainment industry helps me with band photos.
Shooting Live:
Don’t waste your time changing the lens. Your better off with two camera.
Make the stage lights work FOR you. The lights will be there so take advantage of them.
Move around, try different angles, different perspectives.
Ask before you do something. Don’t just assume it’s OK to climb on the side fills to get your shot.

Studio Work:
Local bands, consider a composite shot. people come and go. Usually as soon as a band gets a new promo, some one quits.

make the band bring a few clothing options, just because your girlfriend picked it out, doesn’t mean it looks cool.

the classic black and white image with a white background still works.

Location shots:

No train tracks, no brick walls.
Unless your a death metal band, no grave yards..

General ideas..Talk to the band, but don’t let them run the shoot. You want them to be happy, but you are the photographer.

Think outside the box. A previous post made a great suggestion, do the opposite of what the “normal” look for a genre would be.

Props are OK…if if fits the band. A wedding band with swords isn’t going to help them get gigs.

Keep the shoot FUN..

]]> By: Chris http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-122781 Chris Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:33:38 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-122781 one thing which hasnt been mentioned here, is dont act like an arrogant idiot. as a sound engineer, i vividly recall one event, the headllining band had hired a photographer to come and do some promo shots. he set up in the middle of the room, and huffed and puffed and swore at me and another techie, because we kept going through the frame, or causing shadows from his flashes. Whilst I understand the frustration, we needed to get the PA set up, and EQ'd otherwise the band wouldn't be playing. If he'd moved his gear a few rows back there wouldn't have been an issue. as it was, he didn't ask us where we needed access to to do our job, and acted like he was so much more important than we were. The second reason I remember the show so much, was because all of his live shots were taken from the same seat, sat on his **** for the entire show, spending too much time switching lenses and missing potentially great shots because he had his head in his back looking for the next lens. in summary I guess my tips are: 1. respect other peoples jobs if you're in a venue 2. if people aren't impressed with your attitude and laziness, they won't be getting you extra work, so put on a show 3. Once you get going, pick a lens and stick with it, and LOOK for the shots. one thing which hasnt been mentioned here, is dont act like an arrogant idiot.
as a sound engineer, i vividly recall one event, the headllining band had hired a photographer to come and do some promo shots. he set up in the middle of the room, and huffed and puffed and swore at me and another techie, because we kept going through the frame, or causing shadows from his flashes. Whilst I understand the frustration, we needed to get the PA set up, and EQ’d otherwise the band wouldn’t be playing. If he’d moved his gear a few rows back there wouldn’t have been an issue. as it was, he didn’t ask us where we needed access to to do our job, and acted like he was so much more important than we were.
The second reason I remember the show so much, was because all of his live shots were taken from the same seat, sat on his **** for the entire show, spending too much time switching lenses and missing potentially great shots because he had his head in his back looking for the next lens.
in summary I guess my tips are:
1. respect other peoples jobs if you’re in a venue
2. if people aren’t impressed with your attitude and laziness, they won’t be getting you extra work, so put on a show
3. Once you get going, pick a lens and stick with it, and LOOK for the shots.

]]> By: Taylor http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-119861 Taylor Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:58:34 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-119861 Some friends of mine asked me tonight if I might be interested in taking some band photos for them. I'm not quite sure what to do yet, but we're all thinking about it. I've never taken any band photos before but I'm quite excited, if anyone has any ideas what to do with a small-town punk band... thanks (: Some friends of mine asked me tonight if I might be interested in taking some band photos for them. I’m not quite sure what to do yet, but we’re all thinking about it. I’ve never taken any band photos before but I’m quite excited, if anyone has any ideas what to do with a small-town punk band… thanks (:

]]> By: pete@asgardsss.co.uk http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-117688 pete@asgardsss.co.uk Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:42:06 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-117688 I'll post the pic and see what you think and if you recognise the guy in the shot. Can I do this here?? Pete I’ll post the pic and see what you think and if you recognise the guy in the shot. Can I do this here??
Pete

]]> By: pete@asgardsss.co.uk http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-117687 pete@asgardsss.co.uk Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:40:43 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-117687 Hi The best band photo I have ever taken was an accident. Old warehouse falling down, hole in floor, early morning (nice green light) lined up the shots all OK, then i knocked the camera, it fell, and knocked th eimage out of focus and aperature and took a shot. It is brilliant. The guy in the shot now appears in the West End in Les Mizz. That is my amateur photographer claim to fame!! Pete <a href="http://www.asgardsss.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Asgard Metal Sheds</a> Hi

The best band photo I have ever taken was an accident. Old warehouse falling down, hole in floor, early morning (nice green light) lined up the shots all OK, then i knocked the camera, it fell, and knocked th eimage out of focus and aperature and took a shot. It is brilliant. The guy in the shot now appears in the West End in Les Mizz. That is my amateur photographer claim to fame!! Pete

Asgard Metal Sheds

]]> By: nikki sheppard http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-95809 nikki sheppard Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:08:31 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-95809 Great advice guys and girls. Although fairly proficient at gigphotos www.myspace.com/shepwah , i have never done promo shots and will be using all your tips soon for my first one! As for gig photos, i never use flash...i find it kills the colours and atmospheres, upsets musicians, and you lose your ability to blend into the crowd for incognito shots. I do this by using my best purchase to date...an 80quid canon 50mm prime lens that shoots to f1.8...ideal for goid speed without flash in low light..,the pics on my myspace are all shot with it and no flash Great advice guys and girls. Although fairly proficient at gigphotos http://www.myspace.com/shepwah , i have never done promo shots and will be using all your tips soon for my first one! As for gig photos, i never use flash…i find it kills the colours and atmospheres, upsets musicians, and you lose your ability to blend into the crowd for incognito shots. I do this by using my best purchase to date…an 80quid canon 50mm prime lens that shoots to f1.8…ideal for goid speed without flash in low light..,the pics on my myspace are all shot with it and no flash

]]> By: Timmy http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-74214 Timmy Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:39:18 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-74214 Nice, I have found some good band promo photos over the time, some of these are great: http://davidlachapelle.com http://commercialphotographystudiowales.co.uk/band-promo-photography Nice, I have found some good band promo photos over the time, some of these are great:

http://davidlachapelle.com

http://commercialphotographystudiowales.co.uk/band-promo-photography

]]> By: pkdawgs http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/comment-page-1#comment-66308 pkdawgs Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:12:24 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-do-i-take-band-promotional-photos/#comment-66308 As someone who presents concerts, I want something that represents their music and will attract an audience. I don't want a photo that tells a story so much as asks a question and invites speculation. I like something that pays attention to what's going on around the edges, without focusing there, makes me look at the eyes, and gives me a sense that the music is going to be even more interesting than this really spectacular photo. That can still happen with train tracks or a brick wall, a stairway, a parking lot, etc., etc. Failing the mystery and evocativeness, I want some good performance shots - no mics in front of the face, no stands coming out of heads, no gaping mouths. I would rather have a good close-up of one artist than a lousy, cluttered shot of the entire band. As someone who presents concerts, I want something that represents their music and will attract an audience. I don’t want a photo that tells a story so much as asks a question and invites speculation. I like something that pays attention to what’s going on around the edges, without focusing there, makes me look at the eyes, and gives me a sense that the music is going to be even more interesting than this really spectacular photo. That can still happen with train tracks or a brick wall, a stairway, a parking lot, etc., etc.

Failing the mystery and evocativeness, I want some good performance shots – no mics in front of the face, no stands coming out of heads, no gaping mouths. I would rather have a good close-up of one artist than a lousy, cluttered shot of the entire band.

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