Concert photography

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dphotography

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Hi
I'm just after some advice.

Has anyone taken a dslr into a concert? I'm due to go the the Manchester arena soon and was wanting to take along mine. Now with all the camera phones out there no one gets stopped for taking photos on the phone would they see thing differently with my camera?
 
Heard of Google?

http://www.manchester-arena.com/your-visit/f-a-q/

"The unauthorised use of cameras, video or any other form of recording equipment (including iPads / tablets) is strictly prohibited. 35mm cameras are permitted at most events but professional cameras with a detachable zoom lens are not. At certain events, the promoter may request a ban on all photography and signs to this effect will be displayed at all entrances. "
 
dphotography said:
Hi
I'm just after some advice.

Has anyone taken a dslr into a concert? I'm due to go the the Manchester arena soon and was wanting to take along mine. Now with all the camera phones out there no one gets stopped for taking photos on the phone would they see thing differently with my camera?
Click to expand...

the zoom factor...and also see the post above

and i would say ...no flash!!
 
They usually wont bother about use of compact cameras or mobile phone but bags are searched. It also depends on what the artist/promoter wants. Ring the Arena and ask.

It depends on where you are in the arean as whether it is worth bothering at all. This was taken with compact camera from a good spot.

Muse 2012_0019 by Alf Branch, on Flickr
 
I left my DSLR at home as the festival ticket said no cameras with removable lenses. When I got there there were plenty of guys with various cameras right in front of the stage snapping away. All of the bands seemed to be happy to be photographed.

I never understood what the reason for a ban on cameras at concerts was. It can't be noise as I've never been to a concert that was quiet enough to hear a shutter. Theatres are obviously different. Most people will never be in a position to get decent shots of a band that could be worth selling unless it was an embarrassing gaff by one of the band.

I agree with Alf. A decent compact will give good enough photos for memories and the video on them isn't too shoddy either though audio is usually poor.
 
Just take your eyes and ears.
 
Depends on the event, but 'accredited' snappers get to the front, usually first 3 tunes only for some reason. Use your mobile :-)
 
I was once tapped on the shoulder and asked to stop taking pictures with me phone. It was on Bournemouth pier, can't remember the bands name, some soul tribute band. Didn't mind being asked not to photograph the gig but there was 7 people in the crowd including myself and one was a tramp with a bag of chips trying to keep warm.

The venue is now a kids indoor play area.
 
I can honestly say it is just not worth the hassle of trying to sneak a DSLR into an arena gig. The venue rules and ticket conditions will state something along the lines of 'No professional video or still imaging equipment allowed' and often the venue will put the limit of no cameras with removable lenses. If you don't get past the first round of bag searches that may or may not happen, what will you do with your camera that you have been prevented from bringing in? If you do get it in then get asked to leave the show because you have prohibited equipment, will the pictures be worth it?

Even if you do manage to get a DSLR in, I am almost 100% certain it will have a detrimental impact to your enjoyment of the show. You stop enjoying the concert and start thinking about the pictures. You have probably seen the shots taken by the accredited photographers and want to get something of that quality - well in an arena the only way to do that is get down the front.

The ideal shot to aim for as a concert goer is not the close ups of the artists, instead the venue, the light show. Capture the atmosphere. You can do all this with a good compact, hell even a phone with a few manual controls does a pretty reasonable job!
 
i presume a 35mm only rule would mean they only allow full frame cameras but NOT if they are pro bodies so you would be limited to consumer full frame such as a d610 or 6d and also you would only be able to use a prime as zooms are banned
 
boliston said:
i presume a 35mm only rule would mean they only allow full frame cameras but NOT if they are pro bodies so you would be limited to consumer full frame such as a d610 or 6d and also you would only be able to use a prime as zooms are banned
Click to expand...

Good luck explaining that to security on the night :)
 
I took my EOS-M with kit lens into The Lowery without problem,


Definately wouldn't try to get a DSLR into a major venue.
 
boliston said:
i presume a 35mm only rule would mean they only allow full frame cameras but NOT if they are pro bodies so you would be limited to consumer full frame such as a d610 or 6d and also you would only be able to use a prime as zooms are banned
Click to expand...

Nah, it just means the person writing the rules doesn't understand camera jargon as well as he thinks he does.

IMO gigs are for enjoyment of music, not photography, unless you've got a pit pass, in which case they're about 15 minutes of photography, and then sitting at the back. You can't do both well if it's more than 1000 capacity or so.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Good luck explaining that to security on the night :)
Click to expand...

This. In my experience, your average concert security operative doesn't know the difference between a professional camera and non-professional camera, let alone a 35mm, full frame, DX, bridge camera, CSC, or whatever and trying to explain will get you precisely nowhere. But don't let me put you off trying - if you don't get caught it isn't illegal!
 
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