Band Photograpgy Help

Steven001

Steven001

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Steven
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Hi everyone,

A guy from work has seen some of my pictures online, he said he liked them, and asked if I could take some pictures of his band performing. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but it's something I would like to do. I think it would help me progress and develop a little, and hopefully get some decent pictures at the end of it!

I'm just looking for general tips and things which might help me.

Another issue is gear. I currently have a Nikon D40 with just the standard kit lens. I have been looking at getting a new lens for a while, but haven't got round to it due to not using that camera all that much. I was thinking of getting a Sigman or Nikon 55-200mm, something like this.Would that suffice?

I also don't have any flashes etc... apart from the on-board flash.

Thanks in advance,
Steven
 
Forget flash, it kills band shots. Fast glass and high ISO are going to be your friends here. Generally small local venues have poor lighting so expect to be shooting ISO 1600 at around 1/200s @ f/2.5. In terms of kit I don't know what's available in Nikonland but I tend to use a 50mm f/1.4 and 135 f/2 for most gigs. Sometimes I'll mix things up with a wide angle shot at a smaller aperture to show movement but it depends on the band and how they're moving around.
 
pxl8 said:
Forget flash, it kills band shots. Fast glass and high ISO are going to be your friends here. Generally small local venues have poor lighting so expect to be shooting ISO 1600 at around 1/200s @ f/2.5. In terms of kit I don't know what's available in Nikonland but I tend to use a 50mm f/1.4 and 135 f/2 for most gigs. Sometimes I'll mix things up with a wide angle shot at a smaller aperture to show movement but it depends on the band and how they're moving around.
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Thanks for that. I think flash would be quite off putting to the band as well?

Hmmm f/2.5. I'll need to look around for something cheap-ish that supports that aperture, or could someone recommend any lenses?

I'm guessing auto-focus is best?
 
I'm sure there's more experienced band photographers than me out there, but I'll stick my two penn'orth in. If you're going to be fairly close, I think the 55-200 is too long and definitely too slow. For the best shots you want a fast fairly wide lens. 16-35 f/2.8, something along those lines. (i'm a Canon shooter so not sure what the Nikon equivalent is). Of course it's a lot more expensive.

I wouldn't bother with the flash. It ruins the atmosphere of the shots, hence the need for a fast lens.

Good luck.
 
Steven001 said:
Thanks for that. I think flash would be quite off putting to the band as well?

Hmmm f/2.5. I'll need to look around for something cheap-ish that supports that aperture, or could someone recommend any lenses?

I'm guessing auto-focus is best?
Click to expand...

Depends on how much you are going to be doing....fast glass does not come cheap. I'd start with a 50mm F1.8....dead cheap but really good. The 24-70mm is handy (F2.8) if you can get close; 70-200mm (f2.8) if you can't! ;)

I'm wondering about getting the 16-35mm (f2.8) .......:shrug:
 
Hi Steven,

You most definitely do not want flash, it will simply destroy the atmosphere. As the band have asked you to take pictures I presume you can get quite close to them so you don't need a long lens either, but you do need a reasonably fast lens.

The quality of Nikon glass is beyond question, but it does come at a price, particularly the fast optics. If you can afford it all well and good, but if you can't don't worry. Sigma make a couple of fast zooms that would suit, either the 18-50mm f2.8 or the 28-70mm f2.8, depending on your likely working distance.

Here's one I took of tribute band "The Counterfeit Stones" using an Olympus E3 with 14-54mm f2.8/3.5 at ISO 1600. (Not bad IMHO for a camera with supposedly poor high ISO performance :) )

P6282618_e_r_s.jpg


I was right up against the front of the stage and you should be able to get at least as close, maybe on the stage with a little pre-planning with the band. Of, and don't forget to ask what types of shots they would like.

Good luck, and don't forget to post some of the results! :)

John
 
Thanks a lot for all that useful info guys. I don't really want to spend a lot on my first lens, preferably ~£100 if possible. Ideally I'm looking for something f/2.8 or less? I'll have a little look on ebay and see what I can find.

Any more advice would be appreciated :)
 
tbh, you can't really go wrong with buying a 50mm 1.8.
I have one and its always in my bag for gig work.

Edit, Just seen you have a D40, so the Nikon one wont a/f but i think Sigma do one or a similar one which will a/f
 
Diabolos137 said:
tbh, you can't really go wrong with buying a 50mm 1.8.
I have one and its always in my bag for gig work.

Edit, Just seen you have a D40, so the Nikon one wont a/f but i think Sigma do one or a similar one which will a/f
Click to expand...

Dam, didn't think so. You say Sigma do one which does? What's the quality like in comparison?

mattyh said:
You're right, it won't AF on your lens :)
Click to expand...

That should be a sad face... :(
 
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