first time doing a gig

[ChrisDonnelly]

Im a sports photographer, been asked by a friend to shoot her band next week.
Just looking for some do's/dont's and best camera techniques, ie flash
No doubt it'll be a dark pub style venue with spotlights etc.
Ill be taking a D700 and D3 with a variety of f2.8 lenses.

 

[richardk]

I recomend not using flash, it tends to kill the atmosphere of the gig lighting, you want to capture the moody lighting. exposures will be all over the place but just keep shooting.
Flash also can be a bit annoying for the performers and also the audience. ( i speak as someone who both does gig photography and performs).
As you have good fast lenses you should be fine.

 

[ChrisDonnelly]

I recomend not using flash, it tends to kill the atmosphere of the gig lighting, you want to capture the moody lighting. exposures will be all over the place but just keep shooting.
Flash also can be a bit annoying for the performers and also the audience. ( i speak as someone who both does gig photography and performs).
As you have good fast lenses you should be fine.

Thanks alot

 

[Brendan Mulachy]

shoot manual, spot meter, up the iso so you get acceptable shutter speeds and as richard has said dont use flash

dont be afraid to get stuck in but try to remember that people have come to see the band not the back of your head so try not to hog front and centre all night

 

[seriousrikk]

I do a lot of gig photography, while flash has it's place at time, avoid where possible.

Given your kit I would be tempted to stick a 24-70mm 2.8 on one body and the fastest 35mm prime you have on the other. If it turns out to be a dark pub then you should be OK if they have at least some stage lighting. However some pubs have nothing more than a poor attempt at dancfloor lighting - and in those circumstances it will be either flash or no shots.

Get details of the venue beforehand - chances are folk will have shot there before so you can get some idea what to expect. I find a bit of research can help prepare me really well for unknown venues. You are welcome to post up here if you find anything and I'll give you my take - might be wrong mind and would be more me thinking aloud

Good thing about smaller venues, is the lights often remain pretty consistent throughout the show. Unless the band are really energetic you can usually scrape by at 1/60th although 1/125+ is desirable. If you do find yourself turning towards flash, I would put your ISO really high anyway, and then set the flash to approx -2. This will reduce flash output dramatically and also helps keep a good balance of ambiance.