Comments on: How To Photograph Rock Concerts – Beyond Basics

By: Arzu

Arzu — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:43:08 +0000

I think like in all areas of photography, first you have to have an eye & instinct. Second, already being a fan of that group, knowing the songs should help, since you’d know where and when to expect the lighting or the movements of the band members to change.
I am not a concert photographer at all, I only shoot for my own liking and I hope one day, if I aim at that direction of course, I’d get to be invited to shoot concerts I have started using a DSLR to concerts very recently and I have no formal photography training. I try to teach myself, read read read and look at photos. Yet the most important thing is to go out there and try. You start knowing your camera, your lens and you learn from your mistakes and you get faster.
These sorts of articles are in my opinion of great help for beginners. For example, using spot metering for certain shots is something I found out after a few trials and disappointments. However some else will save time and effort after reading this, so good job.

By: Alexandru

Alexandru — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:11:59 +0000

Apparently this is still a hot topic, as I get a lot of hits on my pictures which I posted above.

For concerts I started using these settings with my Canon A590 IS point&shoot camera:
- turn off all “helpers” (face detection, IS, sounds, review)
- use P mode, no flash
- use Manual Focus mode and set the distance to infinity
- set exposure compensation to -1 or -2
- use high ISO if needed

With these settings, if you focus the middle of the frame on a strong light, the exposure time should be automatically calculated to around 1/60 seconds, enough to take a decent non-blurry picture. In addition, the manual focus shortens the time needed by the camera to snap the picture, allowing more action shots.

Some pictures from a Rammstein concert:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex_stanoi/4375142443/in/set-72157623354463609
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex_stanoi/4375149903/in/set-72157623354463609
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex_stanoi/4375150829/in/set-72157623354463609

By: Paul Kasko

Paul Kasko — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:37:04 +0000

I started to photograph rock concerts in 1976. Luckily in the right place at the right time. A Washington Post writer needed a photo of Eric Clapton performing. The thrill of having my name for credit below photos I had taken was a blast. For two years I photographed the biggest names in rock from the Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen.
I started up again this past Fall photographing local bands in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
I’ve been posted by work on facebook: PHOTOROCK-USA

Paul J. Kasko

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:12:04 +0000

I just started taking band photos – lots of trial and error and a couple of camera upgrades later, I see lots of improvement, and that’s due to sites like this. Thanks so much for the tips! Knowing the band is a HUGE boost. I get to scout out the venues during sound checks so I can take some test shots. That gives me the opportunity to work out what settings I need in advance. I can’t afford the high-end equipment yet, but have found that creative angle, cropping, and Photoshop are my best friend. I also learned that the best shots are the ones you luck into just by being in the right place at the right moment. These were taken at some very small local venues. I’ve got some bigger ones coming up and can’t wait to try out some of these suggestions!

These photos aren’t nearly as good as the ones others have posted, but considering my beginner status, I’m rather proud of them – especially since they were taken in some seriously sad lighting.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1668&id=103335119708392&l=ed74fedd4f

By: tanu shree

tanu shree — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:16:34 +0000

thank u so much for such lovely and helpful article )

By: Gilberto Mellaci

Gilberto Mellaci — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:50:15 +0000

Hi there. Thanks for the tips. I have a concert (Germando Brandino) to photograph next Tuesday and I found these two articles very helpful and inspiring. As soon as I have the photos I promisse to share. I took some pictures of a friend's band (Ambervision And The Night Drivers) previously but, as the club manager did not allowed me to photograph the gig, I had to do it hidden under a table on the place's second floor and far away from the stage. I used a 75-300mm 4-5.6 lens on my Canon EOS Rebel XSi. Unfortunately the lens weight and my positioning didn't helped me to hold the camera still, so I've got some blured images. [eimg link='http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmellaci/4686666281/' title='Banda Ambervision And The Night Drivers - Annalu, Rodrigo e Guilherme Loyde' url='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4686666281_e1bfebaa4f.jpg'] [eimg link='http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmellaci/4690333670/' title='Banda Ambervision And The Night Drivers - Annalu e Guilherme Loyde' url='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4690333670_08cb7254bc.jpg'] Click here to see the whole gallery. Thanks again and hope to write back soon with good news and good shots!

By: Nathan Maingard

Nathan Maingard — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:20:24 +0000

For a guy who’s just starting in the world of live music photography (and, I’ll be honest, photography in general), this article is a godsend. I read the earlier article first and then came to this. Simple, sensible advice! Thanks a bunch, and also to all the extra tips from the comments!

By: Greg Taylor

Greg Taylor — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Light is always key with concert photography. For the photo of Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers below the light was perfect and I could use ISO400 at 2.8 – other nights I’ m pushing 1600+ trying to get a shot to deliver. Know your camera, know your settings and then trust your instincts.

By: Greg Taylor

Greg Taylor — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:42:17 +0000

Here’s something interesting that I’ve never encountered before. While shooting Jeff Tweedy’s solo acoustic show in Phoenix on Sunday I was unusually aware of the sounds my camera makes. Beeping, lens movement for focus and shutter clicks. Since it was an acoustic show there were moments when Jeff was playing rather softly.

I turned the beeps off – and waited for louder moments of music to shoot photos. I didn’t want to be the guy ruining other people’s experience.

By: Sime

Sime — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:44:14 +0000

Hey Angie, Yeah – bad lighting is tricky and plagues us all from time to time… I have a venue I love going to, great sound but the worst light (purple LED lighting) possible for photos – convert it all to black and white, hope something works…

If you can, use a higher iso and a fast lens combination…

If all you have is a neon beer sign, sure – give it a go, but maybe just enjoy the music instead! A couple of colored spots and you might get away with it…

Sime