Gig Photography advice or tips please

Good to see all these other gig photographers :)
Especially like the Iggy shot, very raw and dirty.
I agree about the smoke machine - nothing upsets an autofocus more.

All in all, I reckon live music photography is an exciting thing to do - the conditions are incredibly variable, even when you shoot mainly at one venue (as I do), but that's what makes it exciting, no? It brings me a lot of joy, anyways!

Ooh like that middle shot of yours, Pete - who's that?
 
New Young Pony Club. Pretty good group. I'm quite a fan of the Sigma 10-20 at gigs. Also don't forget that flash can be used well at gigs. Of course natural light and capturing the atmosphere produces amazing results, but careful use of the flash can work.

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petemc said:
New Young Pony Club. Pretty good group. I'm quite a fan of the Sigma 10-20 at gigs. Also don't forget that flash can be used well at gigs. Of course natural light and capturing the atmosphere produces amazing results, but careful use of the flash can work.

img_0173.jpg
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Yeah, I'm very rarely allowed to use flash anyways, so I've learned to just do it without. That is very cool though!



couple o mine for ya
 
I did a local music festival in august, here are the lens i used:

Canon 50mm mkII f1.8

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Canon 85mm f1.8

Supergrass-22ndAug2008-2.jpg


Tamron 24-75mm f2.8

Alabama3-23rdAug2008-4.jpg
 
So nice to see that there are so many people into gig photography,and some fantastic shots too! I think if you love music and photography, it is heaven.

Thank u everyone for all your advice, I know what I need to do now at the gig.

Do you think it is possible to make a living off music photography alone,if you do the bands portrait promo work too? Is everyone on here doing this as a hobby or are you getting paid for it?In Manchester there are lots of unsigned bands and I was thinking once I have built up a good folio,I can start charging.How much I wouldnt have a clue as they all seem to be a bit strapped for cash.
 
If you want to take it all serious enough, then there is money to be made from Music photography. A sole income? Im not sure, but then there are top togs like Carsten Windhorst who, as far as im aware, just do it as a sole profession. Its a real hard job and alot of late nights, but if its what you want to do then do it.

London seems to be the real hub for music photography, i bet there is a gig somewhere in London every night, its just if the images are wanted by magazines and newpapers.

I make a few extra quid from it as i work for a promoter in Peterborough. Id like to make more from it then making just over expenses, but you never know what the future holds.

Mike
 
In Liverpool I bet theres a gig every night. I'm pretty damn sure there is. It is possible to but hard. Your initial clients will be students with no money. Eventually you may work your way up to getting into big named bands gigs but only really if you're shooting for some mag or site. A lot of it is luck, connections, patience and time. You may find you spend years setting everything up in the hope a band you regularly shoot hits the big time and take you with them. Or you might just get lucky and get noticed by people who want to hire you. Just remember that its a tough game. Lots of people want to be music photographers because you get to shoot bands, listen to music, party a bit, rock n roll baby.
 
Ocean Rum said:
So nice to see that there are so many people into gig photography,and some fantastic shots too! I think if you love music and photography, it is heaven.

Thank u everyone for all your advice, I know what I need to do now at the gig.

Do you think it is possible to make a living off music photography alone,if you do the bands portrait promo work too? Is everyone on here doing this as a hobby or are you getting paid for it?In Manchester there are lots of unsigned bands and I was thinking once I have built up a good folio,I can start charging.How much I wouldnt have a clue as they all seem to be a bit strapped for cash.
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very few make a living

pity your not oxford way ide take you to a local small gig to help you out

when i see other takeing pics ive offered my lenses to borrow and even the whole camera if there card fits it.

i allways offer tips to those who ask are intersted and even step out the wayto let them in.

i started with nikon manual [still like film] then a d300 and then sold loads of my belongings to get a d700

its the best camera for this good iso vvv bright viewfinder and a 50mm is a 50mm on this

if you want to do it get a good lowlight camera sell all the fancy zooms and buy a few fast primes
 
I can't remember off the top of my head what I used here, but generally I now use TV at about 1/125th, partial metering. I used to go with AV at f2.8 (or the widest a lens would go) but often didn't notice my shutter speed had dropped too low to hand hold or that I was focused on the mic and not the eyes and ruined loads! If you really want/need flash: bounce it, use a diffuser and keep the output low.

MG_2365-Edit.jpg


Definately wear ear plugs......you will be glad you did when you get older! Lots of band members now wear them. Phil Collins really wishes he did in the past....he is now seriously deaf.

The sigma 10-20mm may not be fast, but it's wide capabilities means it can gather light from multiple sources and also means you can often catch all the band in one shot.......not easy to do from the front. A zoom is great for close ups.

I ofetn find getting away from the front pays dividends......get the odd crowd surfer etc and get the feel of the audience enjoying themselves.


Some more from my gallery.
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1873&ppuser=


http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2123
 
photostar_1 said:
Definately wear ear plugs......you will be glad you did when you get older! Lots of band members now wear them. Phil Collins really wishes he did in the past....he is now seriously deaf.
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That's probably the most important piece of info in this thread! I never forget my ear plugs! You may think there uncool at the start but youll soon notice you cant hear things as well as before!
 
the_doctor199 said:
That's probably the most important piece of info in this thread! I never forget my ear plugs! You may think there uncool at the start but youll soon notice you cant hear things as well as before!
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Its amazing how many people over the age of 21 now wear them. I mean no matter how many kids arent wearing them, the sensible people now do, and its because we value our hearing, and the fact that when we were 16 and had our faces pressed against speakers that we cant hear as well anymore (speaking from total experience, hearing in my left ear is now ruined!).

Mike
 
Grain?
104549356.jpg


ISO3200 works ok on the 40D
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and sometime black and white recovers a grainy shot :D
104549511.jpg



Good fun and something I'd definitely try again.
 
Ocean Rum said:
So nice to see that there are so many people into gig photography,and some fantastic shots too! I think if you love music and photography, it is heaven.

Thank u everyone for all your advice, I know what I need to do now at the gig.

Do you think it is possible to make a living off music photography alone,if you do the bands portrait promo work too? Is everyone on here doing this as a hobby or are you getting paid for it?In Manchester there are lots of unsigned bands and I was thinking once I have built up a good folio,I can start charging.How much I wouldnt have a clue as they all seem to be a bit strapped for cash.
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A really good way to get in touch with local bands and just to keep your ears to the ground locally is to join Myspace, almost every band has a profile page and if you want the experience I dont think any one of the little bands would refuse putting your name on the guestlist and buying you a pint if they are going to get some Free pictures...its not making a living but its a good night out and a foot on the ladder.
 
If you have a decent bunch of shots to show to an unsigned band, and are willing to work for free, I'm sure they will jump at you shooting them. They will credit the pics to you happily....they just have no money whatsoever, to pay. :)
 
paulc said:
A really good way to get in touch with local bands and just to keep your ears to the ground locally is to join Myspace, almost every band has a profile page and if you want the experience I dont think any one of the little bands would refuse putting your name on the guestlist and buying you a pint if they are going to get some Free pictures...its not making a living but its a good night out and a foot on the ladder.
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Good advice, I have done exactly that www.myspace.com/nsgigphotography

Still got a lot to learn mind!

I'm in a band as well and would jump at the chance if anyone offered to come down and snap us for a couple of beers.
 
That is exactly what I am doing,contacting unsigned bands and offer to take their photos free. :)That will give me the experience to get the shots bang on and also build a fab folio. Good way to get out there and network too. U never know who is out and about,it is all about luck and who u know apart from skills.

I am hoping that once i got a good folio together, I can even start charging unsigned bands if it isnt too much money for their live gigs,and there is also their album/promo portrait work which should make a bit of money.

I am hoping that if my photos are great, even unsigned bands will pay for my service instead of doing it free and then go from there to contact magazines etc for the bigger gigs.

Surely an unsigned band would pay around £100 £150 for some live gig photos and also portrait photos for their promo stuff :thinking::D
 
Ocean Rum said:
Surely an unsigned band would pay around £100 £150 for some live gig photos and also portrait photos for their promo stuff :thinking::D
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Ah that fresh innocence :) I gave up trying and went on to bigger fish because I was fed up with bands saying "Mate, we can't even pay £20 right now." or "Fancy doing a photoshoot for £20? Be great for your portfolio. We got a deal coming up."
 
petemc said:
Ah that fresh innocence :) I gave up trying and went on to bigger fish because I was fed up with bands saying "Mate, we can't even pay £20 right now." or "Fancy doing a photoshoot for £20? Be great for your portfolio. We got a deal coming up."
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you are so right they all say they cant afford it

worse they stick some lousey pics from the audience up on myspace

some people cannot see the differance

to many people give there images away thats why less toggers now
 
:lol: Im sure if I hang around venues,bars,clubs,arenas,festivals,record labels,magazine companies long enough,something will happen:lol:
 
ditchdigger said:
you are so right they all say they cant afford it

worse they stick some lousey pics from the audience up on myspace

some people cannot see the differance

to many people give there images away thats why less toggers now
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dead right - you can only shoot gigs for the love of it.
 
petemc said:
Ah that fresh innocence :) I gave up trying and went on to bigger fish because I was fed up with bands saying "Mate, we can't even pay £20 right now." or "Fancy doing a photoshoot for £20? Be great for your portfolio. We got a deal coming up."
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I think that loads of hobbyist type togs myself included are just happy to see thier pictures being used on myspace and band websites and there is always the signed demo cds that you get off the bands by return of post...so its a good night out pursuing your hobby and some merch in the post and you get to meet some talented and not so talented musicians...all in all I reckon to make a living at it you will need to befriend a band who hit the big time as someone has already said or you will need to forsake your friends and family and spend every night at a gig or maybe two then hound the music rags to death and get known and or published...but as pete rightly implied.....bands dont got no cash...so dont expect to make any cash directly from the subjects.
 
I think I will have a great time photographing gigs anyway as I love gigs and if anything comes out of it,it's a bonus.As with all forms of photography the things u enjoy photographin the most are often things that are hardest to make money from and vice versa with things you dont enjoy taking photos of but you do it to make a living as they pay well. For me music and also travel photography i would do rest of my life quite happily,it's trying to make them pay the bills that is hard bit. It still can be done *** as there are people out there doing it.So I remain positive and just enjoy the ride.
 
ive made friends, get in some venues free,been given t shirts,had my beer tab paid,been picked up at home for the gig a few times by the band when i couldnt walk,

oh and this year ive seen more great concerts than ever and taken loads of pics ime proud of

ime sure you will say the same next year..:thumbs:
 
After doing this for bout 10 yrs and shooting concerts two or three times a WEEK I have found that bands especially local bands (but not only local bands) rarely pay for any gig shoots and you MAY get lucky to get paid for a photoshoot. They would rather use phone cams or their mate billy with his new D40 than pay for decent shots but there you go.

I get my music photos paid through other ways.
 
paulc said:
I think that loads of hobbyist type togs myself included are just happy to see thier pictures being used on myspace and band websites and there is always the signed demo cds that you get off the bands by return of post
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No offence ment here mate, but this is why there is no money in music photography...

"Alright mate, can i get one of your demos, in return ill give you the photos from the gig. This way you wont have to pay the official photographer anything for theirs"

Or as Sakura implied, it is too easy to get a DSLR these days, so everyone knows a mate with one. The fact that there pics are crap, probably shot with the onboard flash or focusing on something that isnt the actual band member, doesnt really come into the sum of it as it doesnt cost them anything.

Best way to make money is to get your feet in the door with music magazines and get paid to shoot a gig with free press passes because you are working for them etc
 
i agree ive taken some great pics and the bands gone with some rubbish from a friend or something.

i didnt want to give them away as it effects proffesionals and on principal [most get something for a gig].

i ask for the equivilent of about the price of 2 pints for each band member,but they just dont pay [with a few exceptions] if its a band just starting up i usualy end up giveing them away anyway.i was realy p off when one band didnt even say thank you.its a one of payment and it can help them get gigs if they look good.

ps like that duff pic

pss i can see from this we all have a different style doing this which is good

DSC_8238.jpg
 
Just thought id drop some shots in:

Enter Shikari:

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Stuck Mojo

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Little Man Tate

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This is just a small sample of my work from my flickr account.

I offer the images to bands for £1 per shot, and i havent had a single shot ordered yet. Mainly because people are happy to give away their images.

We dont spend all our hard earned cash on photography gear, getting to the gig, having a drink or two and getting home, just for bands to want free images.

If i wasnt there for the promoter, i probably wouldnt bother going at all!
 
MJ Stebbings said:
No offence ment here mate, but this is why there is no money in music photography...

"Alright mate, can i get one of your demos, in return ill give you the photos from the gig. This way you wont have to pay the official photographer anything for theirs"

Or as Sakura implied, it is too easy to get a DSLR these days, so everyone knows a mate with one. The fact that there pics are crap, probably shot with the onboard flash or focusing on something that isnt the actual band member, doesnt really come into the sum of it as it doesnt cost them anything.

Best way to make money is to get your feet in the door with music magazines and get paid to shoot a gig with free press passes because you are working for them etc
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No offence taken but you must remember, this is about my hobby which is Photography..note the word Hobby and anyone wanting to break through in the music photography business must go into it with thier eyes wide open..I reckon that what you are saying is probably what every proffesional photographer on TP would say but the facts remain we are not all proffesional photographers...but if I was doing it for money I would much rather have the free entry and a few pints as opposed to the one pound per image that you ask for...some may even say that charging to little is also ruining it for other pros and freelancers who charge proper prices for thier images.

Just to add..we are talking pubs and clubs here..not the M.E.N or echo arena..
 
paulc said:
some may even say that charging to little is also ruining it for other pros and freelancers who charge proper prices for thier images.

Just to add..we are talking pubs and clubs here..not the M.E.N or echo arena..
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I know what size venues you mean. The dark, Dingy pubs and clubs :)

Anyway, the reason i charge £1 an image is so that i at least have a fighting chance at getting some orders (when you consider i usually have about 50 images) but its still a case of you mention cash to these bands and they run to the hills. Now then, let me look at this logically

I would say average band has 4 members (some with three, some with 5). There total earnings per week from their day jobs must at least total around £1000 after tax. What is £15 between them?
When i used to put on gigs, i never expected the bands to play for free. I would usually give them at least £20 to cover petrol and a beer each (local bands im talking). So its ok for them to ask Petrol money to play the gig, but its not ok for me to get some cash for supplying them with photos?

Now ok, im there anyway for the promoter, granted, and some bands dont mention anything to me about the photography. Im just kind enough to drop them a polite pm over myspace or an email to their website. What REALLY annoys is when the bands are like "alright mate, you taking photos? Nice one. Will you give us a shout when they are ready? Nice, speak to you then buddy" and then when you tell them their ready, or they even start pm'ing my myspace asking for the images, and ask for £1 per image that THEY want (not even like im trying to sell them 50 image, with 5 decent shots. They can just order the 5 decent ones) then you never hear from them again!!!

And guess what im doing tonight, photographing 4 bands! Bet i get not a single penny from any of them!

Mike
 
agree with you mike

give me your myspace link and i will hook up i hve a few photographers ive linked to who say it better than i can
 
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