Photographing a music gig.

Jungli

Jungli

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I'm sure there are some of you that have gotten photo passes for a gig.

Any tips, advice, guidance would be appreciated.

Everything from lenses, copyright, do's and don't.
 
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Usually get the first three numbers up front then its back into the melee after that.
Fast lens obviously and get your metering right early on, bit like a sound check.
 
Taking my 24-70mm lens, yes agreed the first three songs and off after that. Obvs no flash.
 
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Depends on the venue ive shot at smaller places that let me right through gig and at side of stage too but im as unobtrusive to the paying fans and the band as much as possible
. Lighting can be and is a nightmare having a friendly sound light man helps but you will end up converting lots of pics to black and white
Full frame cameras help and obviously as fast a glass as you have. If your in with the crowd put a lens hood on to help protect the lens i have an old 450d and 1.8 50mm that i took if the crowd were particularly boisterous.
Dont forget to take some good ear plugs...standing right in front of the speakers is LOUD
its good fun but not a bed of roses very hard to make money from if your thinking of a career move lots expect lots for free i made more from up and coming bands familys that were made up to have pics of little johnny on stage for the first time hard on your family life too with being in clubs all weekend you need an understanding partner
 
I'm not looking for a career change. It's more important that the experience is good for the band. Plus I want great photos... even if its just one.

I've done a gig previously and will post up some today for feedback.

But all of your advice is appreciated and if you think of anything else throw in up on the forum.
 
I'd say leave the zoom at home unless it's f2.8, and use a fast 35, 50 or 85 depending how close you are. Meter off the bright patches or/and set manual exposure, depending on whether the lighting changes or is constant.
 
ancient_mariner said:
I'd say leave the zoom at home unless it's f2.8, and use a fast 35, 50 or 85 depending how close you are. Meter off the bright patches or/and set manual exposure, depending on whether the lighting changes or is constant.
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Yeah the zoom is 2.8f but I'll take my 50mm 1.4f too. I've got ear plugs galore so that will save the pennies.

Thanks for the metering tips too.
 
Research the band. So that you know how many there are going to be and what they play (important if there is a 'leader') maybe look at YouTube videos
Have a look at the stage set up before the gig starts, so you aren't blocked by pianos
See if you can get a shot of the setlist, so at the least you know what the first three songs are
Be where you want to be for the first song so you don't lose time getting there
Manual exposure, unless you are very sure of spot metering
Chimp or use mirrorless to check exposure as you go
Focussing - I tend to use single point. Rarely use manual unless the performers are very static
Watch the performers for interesting things - try and capture signature actions. Often they will repeat actions - but don't waste a song waiting for one
Smile at them if they look at you :)
Try to have performer's eyes open. Some performers don't smile, have eyes closed - that makes it hard!
Take two bodies if possible - three songs gives you no time to change lenses. Wide and narrower.
Get each of the performers, and groups of them and the group as a whole
Don't forget the drummer
Try to keep your other eye open watching what is happening outside the field of view of the camera lens. Realising the guitarist is now on the floor standing next to you too late is mortifying :D
If there are other 'togs there, treat them with respect. Don't hog the best position, and make sure you aren't in their way/standing on their toes etc.
If there are security at the front, engage with them.
If there is a 'tog pit, when the three numbers are up, go.
If there is manic lighting (I'm thinking Gong) burst shots are about the only way of getting something usable.

Ear plugs. Really important... plus some venues insist you have them.
 
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Here are some of a band I took back ... ages ago. Feedback would be appreciated.
Busby Babes Gig_-12.jpg
 
The other photos are too large so I'll make them smaller before publishing.
 
ancient_mariner said:
I'd say leave the zoom at home unless it's f2.8, and use a fast 35, 50 or 85 depending how close you are. Meter off the bright patches or/and set manual exposure, depending on whether the lighting changes or is constant.
Click to expand...

Agree on what Toni says here, I use to shoot a lot of jazz but in small pubs and it was hard to get the whole band in. I would watch and learn the songs and knew just when to take the shots I wanted. Just keep on with plenty of practice and you will get asked quite a bit, and always be polite.
Edit... It helps to have two cameras as well.
 
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Well, as always with photography, it depends. :D

Lighting and lenses: Some gigs are well lit, and others aren't - sometimes you really struggle with the amount and direction of light - just have to make the best of it. I use b&w as a last resort - to recover a photo when there is no other way of having a usable shot.

Types of photos: sometimes the whole band, sometimes individuals, sometimes arty things, etc. wide and long, use what captures great images.

I really like the one of the two guitarists. Expression, timing, etc. great!
The one with the keyboard has an issue with focus (is it of the keyboard player, or the guitarist), and lighting.
 
Wow... thanks for all the feedback. I'll have to use the 24 end of my zoom as that's the widest I have.

Gremlin16
Fuji Dave
Pound coin

Thank you for the informative critique. Very much appreciated and absorbed.

I'll put up more of the gig as I do have wider shots but feedback would be appreciated.
 
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I used to take pictures at gigs years ago with my Nikon SLR and f3.5-5.6 lens and ISO 1,600 film :D The main issue was motion blur but I filtered the unusable ones out and no one ever mentioned the blur in the ones that passed my filtering. Actually I think a bit of blur can add to a gig shot, that could be something to think about Satz.

I'm not sure about the point of focus in that first picture though.
 
Some might not like me saying this but, if you really want that shot then get the iso up once did a gig in a night club lighting was hell and dark and dingy so shot some over 20,000 iso and edited to B&W. When I start again I will set it to no more than 6,400 iso, but some cameras are better at high iso than others.
 
Fuji Dave said:
I love this one, great overhead shot.
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I have another shot and the audience all got their mobile phones out ... but it just didn't come out very well...

It would have been fabulous if the keyboard player wasn't having a drink and I had a tiny bit of fill flash.

Great position... should'a would'a could'a.

It was all on the fly and if I'd had more time to think, I would have bracket shots and hoped for the best.

The one that got away.Busby Babes Gig_.jpg
 
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Fuji Dave said:
As we all know flash is the big NO NO.
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Absolutely true.

The photo was taken with a EF-S 17-55mm 2.8f on my old Canon 7D.

Could have ramped the ISO higher as it was 5000, but would have had so much noise.

Oh well... all hobbies have one that get's away.
 
woof woof said:
I used to take pictures at gigs years ago with my Nikon SLR and f3.5-5.6 lens and ISO 1,600 film :D The main issue was motion blur but I filtered the unusable ones out and no one ever mentioned the blur in the ones that passed my filtering. Actually I think a bit of blur can add to a gig shot, that could be something to think about Satz.

I'm not sure about the point of focus in that first picture though.
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I have another shot but again it didn't work out.

There was one girl in the audience that was stood stock still and the crowd were moving around. I was trying to get the audience moving and have her still.

But she moved in the 1" second exposure.

Oh well.
 
Jungli said:
I have another shot but again it didn't work out.

There was one girl in the audience that was stood stock still and the crowd were moving around. I was trying to get the audience moving and have her still.

But she moved in the 1" second exposure.

Oh well.
Click to expand...

Good on you for spotting that and trying though. Another day with another subject and they might stay still and it might work :D
 
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