gig shoot

happygolucky

happygolucky

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Andrew
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been asked by a friend to be the "official" togger at a mini festy, (indoors) was thinking of using my nifty as i'll be able to get close up. never done this before, any tips would be helpful. thanks..
 
If your the official photographer at this event and with no experience and very limited equipment, I suggest you don't do it. Get someone in who won't cock it up.
 
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Kemble3 said:
If your the official photographer at this event and with no experience and very limited equipment, I suggest you don't do it. Get someone who in who won't cock it up.
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There is no saying that he will cock it up although there is a chance.

Is suggest they get someone who has done it before and you still take snaps and depending on how your snaps turn out then you can do it on your own next time.
 
Kemble3 said:
If your the official photographer at this event and with no experience and very limited equipment, I suggest you don't do it. Get someone who in who won't cock it up.
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That's a bit negative. The OP only asks for some advice on his choice of lens etc. He might never have done one before, but may also be a very good photographer.

OP - what kind of festival is it?
 
Kemble3 said:
If your the official photographer at this event and with no experience and very limited equipment, I suggest you don't do it. Get someone who in who won't cock it up.
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I'm not getting paid, one of the acts is a friend, who's asked if i'd like to bring my camera along, so I'll be the only one allowed in with an SLR. So what equipment apart from my camera, nifty and speedlight would one need to be able to not "cock" it up?
 
The words "Official Togger" & "Never Done This Before" should get the alarm bells rings. I can't see anything negative at all what I posted. No disrespect but the only photograph I'v have seen from the OP wouldn't give me much confidence in shooting a gig without any experience and his limited gear.



Ian
 
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Pointblank said:
I'm not getting paid, one of the acts is a friend, who's asked if i'd like to bring my camera along, so I'll be the only one allowed in with an SLR. So what equipment apart from my camera, nifty and speedlight would one need to be able to not "cock" it up?
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Try and search for it. How many times do I have to post this link

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=165114

It is not harsh, your chances of cocking it up are very high. Not being a party pooper, but live music is one of the hardest things to shoot. If you need images for use then he would be best advised in paying someone.

Read the guide and it should help a little
 
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nikonal said:
That's a bit negative. The OP only asks for some advice on his choice of lens etc. He might never have done one before, but may also be a very good photographer.

OP - what kind of festival is it?
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If you are the official photographer and have no idea what you are doing then you are in trouble.

Wishing luck, but being a realist.
 
Kemble3 said:
The words "Official Togger" & "Never Done Done This Before" should get the alarm bells rings.
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And the words "mini-festy" should set the alarms for "pros" to wind their necks in. It could just be a bunch of mates jammin' in the village hall.

The nifty-fifty should be ok indoors. You need to get as much information about how the lighting will be on the day, how much ambient if it's a daytime fest, what sort of lighting will be used for the stage.

In general you'll be shooting and chimping at the start to get a manual setting that works. You might be more comfortable with Av modes, but constantly changing gig lighting will confuse the onboard metering - so go with manual. Shoot RAW so you can play with the white balance later, if the lighting is really nasty LEDs you may have no option but to go with conversion to b&w to get a decent result.

Between now and then take every opportunity to practice under similar conditions.. that is, low light and a moving subject. Spend some time looking through gig shots on Flickr, note the styles and check the EXIF where it's available to see what others have used (but no two venues are the same). Know how far you can push your ISO with your body before the end resukt image is unacceptable.
 
Kemble3 said:
The words "Official Togger" & "Never Done Done This Before" should get the alarm bells rings. I can't see anything negative at all what what I posted. No disrespect but the only photograph I'v have seen from the OP wouldn't give me much confidence in shooting a gig without any experience and his limited gear.



Ian
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Thanks, after your advice i'v declined taking my camera. Only been togging a matter of months, maybe in a couple of years and when i have "the" right equipment and hopefully my togging skills are better, i might consider it.
btw, have you a link to your photo's so i can see some pro work please?
PS, why do you keep repeating words in your posts, done done, what what?
 
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Pointblank said:
Thanks, after your advice i'v declined taking my camera. Only been togging a matter of months, maybe in a couple of years and when i have "the" right equipment and hopefully my togging skills are better, i might consider it.
btw, have you a link to your photo's so i can see some pro work please?
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This is not what I meant mate. Take your camera, shoot all you can, and see what happens. If it all turns to ****, then ah well you tried. If you get one photo you will feel great.

The point I was making is that calling yourself the official guy and then saying I haven't got a clue is not the way to do things, and will set alarm bells ringing with some, and lead to the replies you got.

Read Ishootshows.com Todd is a great guy and has loads of practical advice as well as some great shots to analyse.

Whats the worst that could happen if you do take your camera? Nothing. What's the worst that can happen if you don't? You have no chance of getting experience and learning.

My website is in my signature to look at my work.
 
ding76uk said:
This is not what I meant mate. Take your camera, shoot all you can, and see what happens. If it all turns to ****, then ah well you tried. If you get one photo you will feel great.

The point I was making is that calling yourself the official guy and then saying I haven't got a clue is not the way to do things, and will set alarm bells ringing with some, and lead to the replies you got.

Read Ishootshows.com Todd is a great guy and has loads of practical advice as well as some great shots to analyse.

Whats the worst that could happen if you do take your camera? Nothing. What's the worst that can happen if you don't? You have no chance of getting experience and learning.

My website is in my signature to look at my work.
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i was replying to the other guy, who suggested i don't do it. btw how do i delete my account please? this site is for pro's which i'm obviously not, thank you.
 
Pointblank said:
i was replying to the other guy, who suggested i don't do it. btw how do i delete my account please? this site is for pro's which i'm obviously not, thank you.
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Don't do that matey, and do go with your camera and snap away.
 
Whoops seems I've upset some rather sensitive souls here,wasn't meant that way, but no point in sugar coating responses.

And as for the OP request to see some of my work, I don't think you're yet in the position to offer me C & Cs. Only people I care about getting comments from are my clients who buy my work. But thank you for being so concerned.

Ian
 
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Pointblank said:
i was replying to the other guy, who suggested i don't do it. btw how do i delete my account please? this site is for pro's which i'm obviously not, thank you.
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This site is not just for pro's but for everyone. If you are not man enough to take the rough with the smooth, then the kiddies forums are just down the hall.:dummy:

And you can't delete your account................just don't bother logging in anymore
 
Fast glass plus if it's indoors make sure your ISO is high enough to get a decent shutter speed.
 
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I'd do it but make sure they have a pro tog there, I photographed a fashion show last year for charity, low light etc.. Didn't have a clue really what i was doing, but it was a great way to learn, I got some great shots and lots of crap ones! I had a zoom and also a nifty.
Focussing in low light was hard too, and wasn't allowed to use flash, only the official togs got away with flash.
You are silly to leave on just a few comments.
 
i was unsure at first what to do when i started taking photos of my brothers band but all you will need is a 50mm prime keep it at f1.8 iso at about 800 shoot in av mode and you should be fine most of the time the shutter speed will be 1/30 or faster if it is a dark place with only some lights this is a link to some of mine

http://www.flickr.com/photos/keasla/sets/72157626070450180/

also this is my fav one i have taken at gigs


Dr T by keasla, on Flickr
 
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SW 686 said:
i was unsure at first what to do when i started taking photos of my brothers band but all you will need is a 50mm prime keep it at f1.8 iso at about 800 shoot in av mode and you should be fine most of the time the shutter speed will be 1/30 or faster if it is a dark place with only some lights this is a link to some of mine

http://www.flickr.com/photos/keasla/sets/72157626070450180/

also this is my fav one i have taken at gigs


Dr T by keasla, on Flickr
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Thank you so much, an honest decent answer ;)
 
Kemble3 said:
This site is not just for pro's but for everyone. If you are not man enough to take the rough with the smooth, then the kiddies forums are just down the hall.:dummy:

And you can't delete your account................just don't bother logging in anymore
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I would have been more impressed if you had offered the advice they needed instead of the easy quote RTFM.
 
Taxilian said:
I would have been more impressed if you had offered the advice they needed instead of the easy quote RTFM.
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Sorry, I didn't realise I had to impress you. Maybe you should read the thread from the start and see the advice I did offer the OP.
 
The OP was given excellent very sensible advice - just not what he wanted to hear.
 
awp said:
The OP was given excellent very sensible advice - just not what he wanted to hear.
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I actually agreed with the advice just not the way it was delivered.
 
Kemble3 said:
This site is not just for pro's but for everyone. If you are not man enough to take the rough with the smooth, then the kiddies forums are just down the hall.:dummy:

And you can't delete your account................just don't bother logging in anymore
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I didn't ask you :nono:
 
Pointblank said:
i was replying to the other guy, who suggested i don't do it. btw how do i delete my account please? this site is for pro's which i'm obviously not, thank you.
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You asked the question, I replied..............simple
 
If ya do a search, theres loads of advice on gig shooting on here. i am jealous.
ive only done two festivals so far. have fun.
dont be too worried by negative comments on here.
sounds like your not expected to perform to PRO levels, so do your best.
As long as the people your doing it for are aware of your skill levels and experience, its all cool.
 
Bloody hell will you lot listen to yourselves?

Well done, you have given someone who was keen to learn gig photography a complete confidence knock by making no attempt whatsover to help (This is aimed at a few individuals not all).

Andrew, my advice is do the shoot. Make sure they are under no illusions as to the level of you ability and make no promises on the output - but still do the shoot. If the need guaranteed results then suggest they get someone else but still try to do the shoot as well. I suspect, however, they would be happy with a few shots that are better than the typical noisy, blurry efforts you normally get some small gigs.

Now, gig photography is hard work at the best of times. If it is a small indoor event it will be even harder because the lighting will likely be terrible and you may find yourself too close for the 50mm. So you have to get creative with the shots.

I'm not a pro, I do gigs for mates sometimes and get them better results than they have had previously. I started probably for the same reasons you are now. Settings wise, you want to minimise motion blur, so ideally 1/125 as a target - although for some shots you can drop as low as 1/30th although as a first shoot, not recommended unless you have to. In small dark venues I tend to start off in manual mode, 1/125 F2 ISO1600 and take it from there - I stay in manual mode too, the lighting is usually fairly consistent at smaller gigs. Consistently poor.

Small dark venue example. Lit by 4 LED stage lights. Breaks loads of guidelines when it comes to gig photography, but the band loved it.

IMG_6258 by Richard Lindley, on Flickr

Another one. I clipped the guitar, the mic obscures his mouth, but again, the band love it.

IMG_6243 by Richard Lindley, on Flickr
 
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To be fair, I think the OP has been jumped on unnecessarily here.

I read "official" photographer to be 'tongue in cheek' as the punctuation suggests. It sounded informal to me.

I am new here but get the impression if you ask a question which, yes you could have googled, but maybe you just wanted peace of mind or something, you are jumped on by SOME experts on here.

I think the way some of the things have been said to the OP could have been put far more diplomatically, even though the advice may be sound.

After all, if someone posts something you feel is unworthy to ask, no one forces you to read/respond.

Don't leave pointblank, go to the gig, take your camera but tell them you are novice and won't take responsibility as the sole photographer.
 
As someone who has shot at various venue's I will give you my experience.

Kit. High-end if possible with a very sharp lens. So if you are in the pit, then probably 50mm 1.4 but then again, I have used my Nikon 8-200mm f2.8 which I use 99% of the time.

Shoot in RAW of course, max up the ISO to whatever your camera ends at, unless you are very lucky with the lighting.

Speaking of lighting, and of course if you are lucky, the rig will consist of lots of blue's and white's, if you are cursed (or the lighting guy is ****ed), then you will get ghastly red's and green's for your trouble.

Every shoot is a learning curve, just enjoy and DO NOT be a happy snapper, concentrate on the subject and look for that killer shot; best to have one great shot than 20 crap ones.

And finally, take & wear ear-plugs...............

http://www.folkinphotos.co.uk
 
woah, the OP must feel like he's been mugged here. few people get out of bed on the wrong side perhaps?

the advice given earlier in the thread may be sound but imo some comments came across as quite aggressive. surely it would be more constructive to ask the details of the gig and suggest ways for the OP to make the most of an oppertunity that has come his way. people don't realise how much their comments can dent the confidence of someone who is trying to gain advice and sounds lke they are keen to learn.


my advice to the OP would be to take the more positive replies and use the advice given within them to practice in similar situations, hit the local music bars and get snapping. as has already been mentioned, check out flickr to get a feel for what settings others use with similar cameras(20d/30d) and lenses.

be upfront about your skill and experience level to make sure people don't have unrealistic expectations and most importantly, have fun.
 
lexie said:
my advice to the OP would be to take the more positive replies and use the advice given within them to practice in similar situations
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well then - your advice - as a butcher - might be relevant - but -

people with serious photographic experience were giving the OP the best possible advice.

BTW - NOTHING will dent the confidence of the OP - like doing the GIG and making a b*lls of it.
 
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awp said:
well then - your advice - as a butcher - might be relevant - but -

people with serious photographic experience were giving the OP the best possible advice.

BTW - NOTHING will dent the confidence of the OP - like doing the GIG and making a b*lls of it.
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I appreciate that the people giving advice have more experience than i have, they could have been a bit more diplomatic about how it was given though.

The tone of your reply sounds rather condesceding, but i'll overlook it because i'm only a butcher
 
Hey. I rely on my butcher every week as a serious carnivore. :)
 
dear god, is this talk photography 'the freindliest photography forum on the net' or have i inadvertently logged on to shoutateachotherlikechildren.com

the OP asked a question and it was answered why do we need all the further editorialising about who said what to who and why

In reply to the OP I would not suggest that someone who's only been shooting a few months is ready to be an official photographer for a whole event , but there's no reason not to go and get some shots of your mate's band.

in answer to your specfic question i'd say use the nifty for wider shots but you'll still want something longer for picking out individuial band members - a 70-200 f2.8 will be ideal but use whatever you have (Image stabilised lenses are also a good idea if you have them)

also only use your flash for fill and shoot with the gig lighting as far a possible to capture the mood

if you've got two bodies, or can borrow a second one, put one of your lenses on each so you dont have to faff about changing them- and take plenty of batteries, cards etc.

and finally make sure you've camera insurance as a dark area with lots of people jumping arround is ripe for both stuff getting nicked and also inadvertent damage.
 
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big soft moose said:
and finally make sure you've camera insurance as a dark area with lots of people jumping arround is ripe for both stuff getting nicked and also inadvertent damage.
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Some of the best advice so far!

Tony.
 
big soft moose said:
if you've got two bodies, or can borrow a second one, put one lens on each so you dont have to faff about changing lenses - and take plenty of batteries, cards etc.

.
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you can aso save weight by using only one LENS on each - that extra 'E' weighs a LOT!:D
 
Pointblank said:
been asked by a friend to be the "official" togger at a mini festy, (indoors) was thinking of using my nifty as i'll be able to get close up. never done this before, any tips would be helpful. thanks..
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Ignore some of the responses you've received here, ridiculous comments. As long as the organiser realises you are relatively new to this and is cool with it, go along and do the best you can.

As Carl has already posted, I wrote this guide a while ago which will hopefully help you out: Link
 
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