Important Concert Photography Tips
Concert photography is one of the most challenging mediums of photography due to a variety of circumstances including weather, stage proximity, lighting, erratic movement, security and amateur photographers. These circumstances combined with your own personal body movement and constant adjustment of your camera settings can cause issues for any aspiring concert photographer. The experience can be somewhat overwhelming if you are unprepared. Here are some concert photography tips to consider when shooting your next show.
Knowing the Venue
Always research the venue prior to arrival. Knowing the venue can be instrumental in determining your overall equipment needs; it can also assist you in your efforts to move effectively and efficiently throughout a venue while seeking alternative vantage points to shoot from. Shooting from a variety of vantage points can significantly increase your earning potential.
Weather is another important factor to consider when preparing your gear. Knowing whether the venue is indoor or outdoor can save you time and money. Again, do your research; don’t get caught in the rain.
Jane's Addiction by Christopher Durst
Always know where you will be shooting from prior to a concert. Knowing whether or not you will be shooting from the pit, soundboard or stage is crucial in determining your overall lens needs. Arriving to a show unprepared and being instructed to shoot 50-100 yards back with a 50mm lens is a lose-lose situation. If you are unsure about your proximity to the stage, I recommend calling the venue first. If at all possible, refrain from calling the bands publicist…they have enough to deal with.
Venue Lighting
Lighting is typically the most concerning variable for aspiring concert photographers. A small dark club or overly lit stage can pose significant challenges for some photographers. However, having professional gear and knowing your camera can assist you in overcoming these challenges.
An overly lit stage is easy to manage if you are familiar with the mechanics of your camera. Lowering your ISO and increasing your shutter speed is the easiest way to prevent blown-out, overexposed images. However, these setting are only appropriate when considering fixed lighting. When dealing with rapidly moving lights you must be able to adjust your settings quickly in an effort to maintain correct exposure.
Dark venues can be extremely difficult to shoot in, especially when you can’t use a flash. Using a professional SLR camera with high ISO functionality and a super fast lens is strongly encouraged when shooting shows low lit shows. Most industry musicians have banned photographers from using flash due to occasional disorientation, and in some cases temporary blindness.
Erratic Movement
Erratic movement in a low lit venue using no flash and a slow lens equals disaster. When shooting fast moving musicians in dark venues there are many techniques you can utilize to limit blur in your images. Here are a few…
1.) Attempt to anchor your elbows or lean against something; this will help to minimize your own personal body movement giving you a much steadier hand.
2.) Increase your ISO and shutter speed to accommodate the best possible lighting scenario and time your shots. Keep your shutter speed above 1/125 if at all possible; this well to help keep your images crisp and clean. Though you may be tempted to, try not to max out your cameras ISO capabilities; this will only create noise in your images.
3.) Be familiar with the artist’s music and study the way they move on stage. Anticipating the slowest point of movement is very important. Example: If a musician is jumping up and down, take your shot as they reach the very height or depth of their jump; this is slowest point of movement and the best possible moment to get a clean shot.
Lukas Nelson by Christopher Durst
Love thy security! As soon as you walk into a press pit you should make every effort to introduce yourself to the concert security. Befriending the security has many benefits, especially at venues you plan on frequenting.
Don’t be arrogant, boisterous or pushy; press pit security does not respond well to this. Be cordial and treat them with respect and you might even receive some additional privileges.
Press Pit Etiquette
A seasoned concert photographer can sense a rookie photog by their lack of swagger, confidence and awareness. For the most part, professional concert photographers do NOT like sharing a press pit with rookie photographer; the most common reason being they tend to always get in the way. Blowing a ‘money shot’ for a seasoned photographer is probably the last thing you want to do!
Communication is crucial when shooting with twenty or more photographers, you must be aware of your surroundings at all times. Here are some important rules you should follow when photographing a concert.
1.) Never step in front of a photographer’s lens.
2.) Always be courteous and rotate positions.
3.) Never step backwards without looking first.
4.) Point your lens up or down when repositioning.
5.) Do not run in the pit!
6.) Be aware of speaker, electrical and/or video cables
7.) Do not move if someone puts their hand on your shoulder.
8.) Do not use your flash
9.) Do not hold your camera too close to a musician.
10.) When you are asked to leave the pit, leave!
Summary
If you follow these simple rules and suggested tips, your experience as a concert photographer will be much more pleasant and rewarding. Remember to learn the mechanics of your camera and the extent of its capabilities.
‘Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens’ – Jimi Hendrix
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