Shooting Small Gig With 35mm f/1.8

Steven001 · 14 Nov 2012

Hello,

A local band is playing in a small pub/club in a few weeks and I was thinking of asking them if I could sit in on the gig and take some pictures of them performing. By then I will have a D90 which should give me a few stops over my D40, but the only fast lest I have is a 35mm f/1.8. Do you think it would be too intrusive using a 35mm? A full frame shot would involve getting quite close while they are performing.

I've never shot a band playing before, but it's something i have wanted to try for a while.

Cagey75 · 14 Nov 2012

In a pub/club the 35mm is ideal I would say. I've shot a fair few gigs with my old D90 and a 50mm and a 17-50mm. Wide is good for gigs. You'd find that anything longer will only get you upper body & head shots, depending on venue size and how far or close you are to the stage. With a 35mm on a crop sensor you should be able to get close enough shots of the performers without being intrusive. Test at home, see how far back you have to be to get a full body in frame.

The D90 is good enough to ISO3200, with some PP. Preferably stick to ISO 2000 and below, and keep the aperture open up, f/2 - 2.8

NeilMc · 14 Nov 2012

I shoot nearly all my small venue gigs on a 35mm F1.8 I used to use a 50mm F1.8 but on the crop body sometimes it felt you were too close, especially if the place is busy and you are stuck in one spot close to the band

seriousrikk · 14 Nov 2012

The 35mm is just fine for pubs, you can get some cracking shots of bands with them. I find the distance to get the performer with guitar (and guitar head) is spot on with a 35mm. You still have to get in front of the audience, so unless there is no-one behind you remember to try and keep out of folks way (down on one knee).

I only take a zoom to most gigs as some of the bands I shoot love getting right in my face... and for that 17mm is not wide enough!

dandeakin · 14 Nov 2012

I would have thought 35mm would be ideal, maybe with a cheap 50mm 1.8 as well ?

Steven001 · 15 Nov 2012

Cagey75 said:
In a pub/club the 35mm is ideal I would say. I've shot a fair few gigs with my old D90 and a 50mm and a 17-50mm. Wide is good for gigs. You'd find that anything longer will only get you upper body & head shots, depending on venue size and how far or close you are to the stage. With a 35mm on a crop sensor you should be able to get close enough shots of the performers without being intrusive. Test at home, see how far back you have to be to get a full body in frame.

The D90 is good enough to ISO3200, with some PP. Preferably stick to ISO 2000 and below, and keep the aperture open up, f/2 - 2.8

Thanks! I'll give it a shot at home and see how close / far away I need to be to get a full body shot.

I haven't got my D90 yet but looking forward to it.

NeilMc said:
I shoot nearly all my small venue gigs on a 35mm F1.8 I used to use a 50mm F1.8 but on the crop body sometimes it felt you were too close, especially if the place is busy and you are stuck in one spot close to the band

That's great to hear! Do you have any examples I could have a look at?

RichardtheSane said:
The 35mm is just fine for pubs, you can get some cracking shots of bands with them. I find the distance to get the performer with guitar (and guitar head) is spot on with a 35mm. You still have to get in front of the audience, so unless there is no-one behind you remember to try and keep out of folks way (down on one knee).

I only take a zoom to most gigs as some of the bands I shoot love getting right in my face... and for that 17mm is not wide enough!

Thank for thy Richard! I've never shot anything like this before but i'm looking forward to giving it a go!

Do you have any examples taken from gigs using the 35mm?

dandeakin said:
I would have thought 35mm would be ideal, maybe with a cheap 50mm 1.8 as well ?

Hopefully! I don't plan on buying any new glass just for this shoot.

seriousrikk · 15 Nov 2012

I don't have many

Medium size pub with a decent lighting rig - shot this entire gig with a 35mm

Very dark venue with god awful lighting. This is also cropped down a bit.

Steven001 · 16 Nov 2012

The first one is great, thanks for posting!

Did anyone feel "strange" shooting their first gig in a pub/club? Although I haven't yet contacted the band, I have a feeling it will feel a little... awkward standing in front of a crowd (trying not to get in the way) and taking pictures.

Would it be best to limit myself to the first three songs for shooting (don't know how many they're doing). That should mean I'm not getting in everyone's way for the entire gig!

busdriver · 16 Nov 2012

The first three songs is normally standard provedure unless you know the band very well....hardest thing at your first gig shoot is overcoming the nerves of shooting in front of a crowd but once you start shooting you forget everyone else around you.....just have fun

Cagey75 · 16 Nov 2012

Steven001 said:
The first one is great, thanks for posting!

Did anyone feel "strange" shooting their first gig in a pub/club? Although I haven't yet contacted the band, I have a feeling it will feel a little... awkward standing in front of a crowd (trying not to get in the way) and taking pictures.

Would it be best to limit myself to the first three songs for shooting (don't know how many they're doing). That should mean I'm not getting in everyone's way for the entire gig!

The first time I got a pass for the pit I felt a bit strange. Felt really aware that I was in front of a huge crowd, and had loads of them tapping me on the shoulder looking for me to shoot them. I had only 3 songs to do the job, so had to keep on the move shooting the band, the pit was also tiny! But by end of song 3 I didn't want to leave the pit. Big burly security guy was having none of it though.

If it's just in a pub, you don't have that worry, only being in the way as you say. Have a few beers while you're there before the gig, get in early, get a feel for the place. You'll find your spot and own it, and you'll find most people will keep out of your way when they see you are shooting. They'll presume you are there at the band's request, even if you're not.

Relax, and enjoy, you'll shoot better this way. If you're paranoid and stiff you'll be fumbling with settings and getting frustrated and will miss shots.

Post up some once you're done

Steven001 · 18 Nov 2012

busdriver said:
The first three songs is normally standard provedure unless you know the band very well....hardest thing at your first gig shoot is overcoming the nerves of shooting in front of a crowd but once you start shooting you forget everyone else around you.....just have fun

Thanks for the advice!

Cagey75 said:
The first time I got a pass for the pit I felt a bit strange. Felt really aware that I was in front of a huge crowd, and had loads of them tapping me on the shoulder looking for me to shoot them. I had only 3 songs to do the job, so had to keep on the move shooting the band, the pit was also tiny! But by end of song 3 I didn't want to leave the pit. Big burly security guy was having none of it though.

If it's just in a pub, you don't have that worry, only being in the way as you say. Have a few beers while you're there before the gig, get in early, get a feel for the place. You'll find your spot and own it, and you'll find most people will keep out of your way when they see you are shooting. They'll presume you are there at the band's request, even if you're not.

Relax, and enjoy, you'll shoot better this way. If you're paranoid and stiff you'll be fumbling with settings and getting frustrated and will miss shots.

Post up some once you're done

Hi Cagey, appreciate your reply.

I had a wee look at the venue (still haven't contacted the band) and it looks like it would be very difficult to get any good shots to due the railings. These are taken from the venues Facebook page:

What are your thoughts?

Cagey75 · 18 Nov 2012

I've done similar venues, though the railings were higher up. I hunched down and shoot through the gaps in it

seriousrikk · 19 Nov 2012

Shoot through the gaps - yep that works.

Also get to the edges of the stage and lean over/through to frame it better. Wait for the artists to come out onto the steps too.

Personally I would be more concerned about the god awful lighting in there...

Steven001 · 19 Nov 2012

Cagey75 said:
I've done similar venues, though the railings were higher up. I hunched down and shoot through the gaps in it

I did think about that, then I thought with a fixed focal lens and no zoom, it might be difficult to frame the images.

RichardtheSane said:
Shoot through the gaps - yep that works.

Also get to the edges of the stage and lean over/through to frame it better. Wait for the artists to come out onto the steps too.

Personally I would be more concerned about the god awful lighting in there...

Thanks Richard. The lighting does look terrible and it looks like that from all the images I've seen of it. Do you think it's worth attempting or better leaving it for another venue?

Thanks

seriousrikk · 19 Nov 2012

I would say, if you can, have a go.

Do it on a day when there is a band on you would enjoy anyway, it won't take you long to work out if the lighting is as bad as it looks and at least you can enjoy the show. Also, there does seem to be some form of spots there - so light isn't non existent.

Maybe the sort of venue to shoot with the intention of converting to mono and take a flashgun if you have it (and if the band/venue don't mind).

NeilMc · 19 Nov 2012

The key thing is be discreet, remember the crowd may well have paid to see the band, they havent paid to see the back of your melon.... and they certainly havent paid to have you fire a flash in their faces either.

I've been at a couple of venues recently where mainstream professional guys have been trying their hands at band photography and have been using powerful flashes and there is nothing more irritating than a flash going off in your face, in a small darkened room its like watching someone welding.

The other classic gaff I saw recently was a young lad standing right in front of a band to take their pic, snapping, then standing there fiddling with his settings and reviewing his images.

Its easy to forget when you are having fun that the room is full of other people who are there for the sole purpose of seeing the band.

Get your shot(s) then stand to the side and check how they've come out, make your adjustments and go again, once you've got some shots coming out how you'd like then just keep shooting, dont shoot, check, shoot, check, shoot, check and dont delete anything until you get home. The amount of people I see frantically fiddling with their cameras and deleting images like there is no tomorrow instead of keeping their eye on the action

You've got on average 45 minutes to get something decent some bands play for less, some for more time but you've got the rest of the week to edit them and weed out the no hopers.

If you dont know the band then I wouldnt speak to them beforehand, just go along, do your thing and if you get anything nice drop a few pics on their facebook page, if they like what they see I am sure they'll be in touch.