Music photography guide

the_doctor199

the_doctor199

Suspended / Banned
Messages
813
Edit My Images
Yes
There has been quite a few music related topics popping up, I was wondering would there be any interest in me writing a bit of a guide? If so, what would everyone like to see covered in it?

I'd like to make it useful for people totally new and for people who have shot some small local bands and covering things like equipment to use.

So, let me know what you'd like to see covered!
 
Just been having a look at your website and there's some pretty good stuff on there, so for what my vote is worth, I'd say give it a go. Looking forward to reading it. :-) Badger
 
OK, I'll give it a go this week then :) If there are any topics anyone would like covered id love to hear your ideas!
 
You have a really strong portfolio and a nice site, would definitely be interested in seeing what you come up with!:thumbs:
 
I'd definitely be interested in this, you obviously have the skills going by your website!
 
Badger UK said:
Just been having a look at your website and there's some pretty good stuff on there, so for what my vote is worth, I'd say give it a go. Looking forward to reading it. :-) Badger
Click to expand...

brill
do you do classical concerts...they are quite interesting:)
 
it would be good to have sticky or something the amount of questions on this
 
Hi Ramsey,

I think a music photography guide is a great idea, and your portfolio, in my opinion, qualifies you to talk authoritatively on the subject!

I find my own gig technique combines both miss and hit, so I'd like to hear your thoughts on:

  • assessing exposure/metering techniques for consistent, predictable results
  • accurate focusing technique, pros and cons of manual v automatic
  • when and where to use flash, whether it annoys the artists, off camera flash ideas
  • handling the artists and venues so they are comfortable with your taking photos
  • promoting your work

Your thoughts on these topics would be much appreciated.

Martin
 
Your portfolio is amazing :notworthy:

I'm at the "shooting small bands in bad light with a nifty fifty" stage.

I'd love to know how to deal with red stage lights. I shot a gig last night and i've binned half the shots because the red light just brings out too much noise and seems to nuke skin tones into orbit.

Also focusing in bad light. I'm really bad at manual focus so how to keep track of fast moving artists?

I look forward to reading the guide. Many thanks :)
 
Some fantastic images on your site.
I really hope you go ahead with the guide. I shoot a lot in small clubs with mixed/coloured lighting and find it an absolute mare to keep the ambience while getting a sharp shot.
 
Mangelwurzel said:
I'm at the "shooting small bands in bad light with a nifty fifty" stage.

I'd love to know how to deal with red stage lights. I shot a gig last night and i've binned half the shots because the red light just brings out too much noise and seems to nuke skin tones into orbit.

Also focusing in bad light. I'm really bad at manual focus so how to keep track of fast moving artists?
Click to expand...

I'd agree with the above points. I find it difficult to get good manual focus - in fact, I'd say without a split prism it's luck if you get good focusing.

Stage lighting - somewhere like Glastonbury has fantastic stage lighting, small festivals not so, in fact I had the "all red" lighting just a couple of weeks ago. The flash came out of the pocket after a couple of shots.
 
Mangelwurzel said:
Your portfolio is amazing :notworthy:



I'd love to know how to deal with red stage lights. I shot a gig last night and i've binned half the shots because the red light just brings out too much noise and seems to nuke skin tones into orbit.
Click to expand...

I know that tooooooo well, red lighting is a real mare, everything is flat and the camera doesn't like to focus :(

Some excellent stuff on there,I take it were you allowed to use flash in some of them as there's a cracker with the performer perfectly exposed and a uber bright spot light behind him which would have rendered him a silhouette normally.

Get your guide up ASAP :D
 
wow. cracking shots on ya site. well impressed.
i would love a chance to shoot somewhere with proper lighting.
most of the pubs/clubs i've shot at are darker than a very dark thing. and very red, when theyre not.
focusing in bad light for me is down to the help of my flash head.
focus assist on canons works with the flash switched off.
you can focus, even when you cant see what your focusing on.
 
I cant wait to read your guide, your photography is superb.

A section about the kit you use and what you would recommend on a budget. I'm currently shooting the festivals I attend with a fixed 50mm, usually up at around 3200 ISO.

:thumbs:
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll make a start on it tomorrow and hopefully have it up in the next few days!

digitalfailure said:
Some excellent stuff on there,I take it were you allowed to use flash in some of them as there's a cracker with the performer perfectly exposed and a uber bright spot light behind him which would have rendered him a silhouette normally.
Click to expand...

The only image shot with flash in my portfolio is image #2 :)
 
If number 2 was the only flashed image....get the guide done double quick :D

The images of Hetfield and the other performer i can't place with the strong backlighting are great
 
inaneredstripe said:
when theyre not.
focusing in bad light for me is down to the help of my flash head.
focus assist on canons works with the flash switched off.
you can focus, even when you cant see what your focusing on.
Click to expand...

My 5Dmk1 and 430ex won't fire the focus assist with the flash turned off, doesn't matter if the custom function is set to flash does not fire either :shrug: wonder if the 5dmk2 which is due to arrive today will do it :D
 
inaneredstripe said:
focusing in bad light for me is down to the help of my flash head.
focus assist on canons works with the flash switched off.
you can focus, even when you cant see what your focusing on.
Click to expand...

Doesn't the red assist beam annoy the artists?
My D90 has a built in illuminator but i disable that through fear of upsetting someone.
 
there is one very easy way to conteract the red lights i do it all the time now

as ive learnt not to fight it :suspect:
 
Mangelwurzel said:
Doesn't the red assist beam annoy the artists?
My D90 has a built in illuminator but i disable that through fear of upsetting someone.
Click to expand...

Interesting point. You are choosing between annoying the artists during performance with the focus assist light, and annoying them afterwards with out of focus shots! Between a rock and a hard place. As I mentioned before, I find manual focus in low lighting can be a tricky affair without a split prism. This is one of the topics on which I would like Ramsey to explain his obviously successful technique.

Many of the shots on his site are clearly from very well-lit shows - the production team are doing a good job with the lighting and making focus and exposure relatively straightforward. It's the smaller, less produced, lower-light shows that make things more tricky.
 
a lot of my stuff is under the dimest lights possible

i do use focus assist when in single on a none moveing subject

in continuos it dont work anyway

bands dont notice it when performing


nikon D700
 
Well, that's my guide finished! 2,324 words of me rambling on!:D

I'll get it posted in the morning, I need a beer now after writing that!If anyone has any more topics they would like added in, feel free to add them in here and I'll write them in the morning. I think I've covered everything in this thread so far.
 
will be an intersting read to compare how you do it

i am a bit miffed the mods wont even give us a sticky when so much questions on this

yet there is a bird AND wildlife section now surely they could be combined :D
 
the_doctor199 said:
Well, that's my guide finished! 2,324 words of me rambling on!:D

I'll get it posted in the morning, I need a beer now after writing that!If anyone has any more topics they would like added in, feel free to add them in here and I'll write them in the morning. I think I've covered everything in this thread so far.
Click to expand...

Well done that man! I can't wait and many many thanks for your time :)
 
I've posted the thread in the tutorial section, it's awaiting moderation so i'll post the link when it's up :)
 
Mangelwurzel said:
Doesn't the red assist beam annoy the artists?
My D90 has a built in illuminator but i disable that through fear of upsetting someone.
Click to expand...

not had a complaint yet.
but theyve usualy got so much lighting in their faces, that they cant see the audience anyway.let alone a bit of red light form me.
ninety percent of the time, i'm on one shot.

ahh. just been and checked.
apologies.
i am wrong.
focus assist doesnt work with the flash off.
d'oh.
i do use flash occasionaly on real dark gigs.
obviously getting myself confused.
if you have trouble focusing, try and pick a light spot on clothing, or a face.
that helps me a lot.
camera will have trouble focusing on one dark area sometimes.
try adjusting your focus points.
mostly i'm using one central focus point.
 
inaneredstripe said:
focus assist doesnt work with the flash off.
d'oh.
i do use flash occasionaly on real dark gigs.
obviously getting myself confused.
if you have trouble focusing, try and pick a light spot on clothing, or a face.
that helps me a lot.
camera will have trouble focusing on one dark area sometimes.
try adjusting your focus points.
mostly i'm using one central focus point.
Click to expand...

Are you using Canon? D90 uses the assist with and without flash.

I agree with the focus point - I believe central point recognises both horizontal and vertical contrast changes, the peripheral ones only on orientation.
 
nice one well done

i do think that there is quite a differance to big groups and lights
and small groups and little light

especialy lens
without doubt 50mm [ff] is the most useful lens in the dives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top