Advice needed about preparing for concert photography

madferrit

madferrit

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I got a call last night from a charity I approached some time back. They have a forthcoming concert at the Royal Albert Hall and have asked me to cover events on the day. I have been asked to photograph the events back stage, as well as outside and I will be given access to photograph the artists performing.

In between the joys of being overwhelmed at getting this project I've been scratching my head thinking about how to prepare for the day. I haven't done anything on this scale and I'm really not sure what I should expect. I will try to pack as light as possible, and have a bag which will be suitable. A few questions that keep popping into my head are;

1) would there be any lockable space provided (saves me carrying my bag everywhere)

2) would a monopod be useful? or should I just prepare to hold steady in my hand (I have a 70-200 2.8 IS to take with me)

3) Has anyone got any advice about photographing at the RAH?

I know some of this may be answered by the organisers, but I thought I'd gauge some discussion here first so I don't sound like a right numpty when I speak to them.

Basically any advice would be greatly appreciated as the nerves are now settling in :help:
 
Events backstage?


I'd just do it documentary style. Black and white, non specific angles.
 
I recently shot a dancing/singing type show. I shot on 2 nights, and used 2 lenses.

I found very quickly that using a gorrillapod balanced on my knee (crouching) and straightened out let me hold the camera much more stably. If you're using a bigger lens, I'd say a monopod is a must - both so you don't tire as quickly, and to reduce shutter speeds needed. Because it's IS it isn't as necessary for the shutter speed angle, but depending on how much stamina you have you may want to use a monopod for weight reasons.
 
Backstage (the corridor immediately around and under the stage and arena, and the corridors leading to the dressing rooms) the ceiling is low and white, so bouncing is not a problem. I don't see how you could use flash in the auditorium though (I gather you'd already come to that conclusion).

You could get some nice shots with a wideish lens standing on the stage just by a bullrun, as they come on stage :)

The dressing rooms are guaranteed secure. They're used by thousands and thousands of professional musicians, with instruments with a seven-figure value. Ask the orchestral manager if you can have a bit of space with them where they set up their instruments and leave their cases during the performance.

The arena will either be filled with performers, or will be filled with seating. In either case, you might be able to wander round it (either side of the little wall separating it from the front row of the stalls), but the lighting isn't as good as the stage lighting.

The gallery will probably be open. It's really high! The gallery is accessible and continuous the whole way round the hall, except for a little discontinuity at the very front of the hall. (To get past it, you have to walk about 340 degrees round the gallery in the other direction!) There's no problem with wandering round it during the performance, but be prepared to step over picnickers (and nick their grapes). Standing at the central point of the gallery (facing the stage straight on), 70mm will get the arena and stage in nicely - but bring a tripod for that, of course. A wide lens or fisheye could be interesting, though...

The outside of the RAH is properly spectacular at night, too. Perhaps some shots of performers and audience leaving the hall with smiles? You'll need to be at the right gate to get the performers - they're likely to leave from a gate towards the eastern side of the hall (facing the Albert Mansions).

Wear soft shoes, or no shoes... don't let your footsteps be heard in quiet music!

Hope that helps. I've played there about four times, and last year I lived in the building behind it (Beit Quadrangle, which is Imperial College halls) which was AMAZING. I walk past it every day :)
 
I'd take a gofor along if you can, to watch out for and help carry the gear.
 
silverJON: That advice is invaluable.. thank you! I might have to pester you with a few more questions once I've taken that all in.

Steep: My helping hand would normally be my nephew or neice, but they're both busy with exams so I'm having to do it alone. :(
 
madferrit said:
silverJON: That advice is invaluable.. thank you! I might have to pester you with a few more questions once I've taken that all in.
Click to expand...

No problem - music and photography in one, that's my idea of heaven!
 
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