Taking photos of live music (from crowd) any tips?

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Taking photos of live music
(from crowd) any tips?

Settings etc ?

Off to some metal gigs and want to get some shots of the band

Will obviously be handheld
 
Hello.

Its hard to say what settings to use exactly as we have no idea what the lighting conditions will be like/what the venues are etc. If its like some of the gigs i go to, it could be either really dark, and/or have loads and loads of red lights.

Are you taking a DSLR? Does the venue allow it? You dont want to get stopped on the door (happened to me many times in the past).

If you can use a DSLR, I would suggest spot metering for the performers faces, manual mode, as wide an aperture as you can get, and as high an ISO as you are willing to go. these settings have always worked for me.

Have fun :)
 
My tip.. Don't bother.

Firstly, even if you can get a DSLR in, which is unlikely as most venues don't allow them, then you'll be worried about it getting damaged, stolen, beer spilt on it etc..

Then you'll probably also annoy people around you trying to shoot over thier heads.

Unless you have some very fast long glass, you'll not get much worth keeping unless you manage to get to the front, in which case at a metal gig I'd be more worried about what's happening behind and preparing to brace my self against the barrier when the pit starts up than taking photos.

Just enjoy the show and leave the photography to the mugs in the photo pit. ;-)
 
It's a small metal band
In a nightclub / small venue
Don't know if there will be any professional togs there as not sure they're big enough to warrant it... Could be wrong thoygh
 
gothgirl said:
It's a small metal band
In a nightclub / small venue
Don't know if there will be any professional togs there as not sure they're big enough to warrant it... Could be wrong thoygh
Click to expand...

Ok, well my first reply still stands. You are probably more likely to be able to take your camera into a nightclub, but it would be worth checking to be on the safe side.
 
Where is the venue? Prior research can be handy here...

I'm assuming DSLR here... Before you go you must make a choice. Are you going to enjoy the show or are you going to get photos of the show?

If you are doing the latter, make it official. Contact the venue up front and ask what their rules are - you may be surprised. Many small venues are pretty cool about it anyway - just don't be an arse and make sure you act professional and courteous to other folk there. So you get the venue blessing, you still need to be there and get some good shots. You will need to assume no flash is allowed from the outset so you will want a fast lens, many folk start with a 35mm F2 or 50mm F1.8. You just need to keep your shutter speed above 1/125th and make the rest of your exposure triangle work around that. I can probably offer more detailed advice once I know the venue...

If you get no joy from contacting the venue contact either the band or their manager and ask if they have anyone lined up to take some photos. Explain you are new to this if you contact the band, they will appreciate the honesty and can often make the arrangements easily. Do this a good few days in advance if you can...

I have shot a lot of upcoming metal bands in small venues. If you get in, there will likely be no photo pit. Get your shots in early - first 3-5 songs. Because up front you don't want to be there with a camera for the last part of the set.
 
You can get reasonable shots with a small compact, try to get close and leave the flash off.
I used to do a few gig photos with a very basic Fuji A204 about ten years ago.
Often their lighting is quite good but you have to pick the moment and there's a lot of luck involved.
Don't be scared to bump the ISO up to 400 or higher if need be.

Close-ups of individual performers are often much more interesting than 'whole stage' scenes.
But must agree, just enjoy it and after 10 minutes put it away.
Life is short.
 
Go for it. Highest ISO you can handle without noise, fast lens like a 50mm. Shoot full manual, the might make metering useless. Set shutter to minimum you can use to freeze movement (say 1/120th) and go for it. A speed light disabled on the hot shore just for the IR assist can be handy.
Shoot RAW as you can pull back a stop or two in post, whereas you can't fix blurry! Get right down the front early and get some close up stuff. I love shooting small gigs.
 
Last edited:
Sheffield Co-op

I'll contact the band

I have a 50mm 1.8

:-)
 
That'll do nicely. Just be aware dof is about 4 inches at usual distances when wide open. I really like back button focus and single center point spot focus for this kind of stuff. Saves recomposing after focus lock.
 
So move the camera not the focus point
...and keep it locked on a centre focus ?

Should I add a couple of + exposure points in the camera ?

As with the variable lighting if I'm not using flash it will be very dark images at a fast shutter speed...

Off the top of my head this is what I would have gone for

50mm 1.8
TV mode 1/100
Spot Metering
ISO400 (I have a 40d and I'm wondering how much noise I'd get over this)
+2 exposure (depending on how well lit / variable stage lights are, might not be needed)
 
Tbh I'd go as high iso as you can use, stick the shutter at the minimum to get sharp pics (say 1/120th or maybe a tad slower if you need it), leave the aperture wide open and leave it on manual. Metering will be so thrown by lights etc that it's easier not to bother. Shoot RAW and you can pull back a stop or two if it's underexposed, the crucial thing is it's sharp.
 
I've found 550d fine at 1600 iso and ok with suitable NR at 3200 if you need it. Not sure how their sensor compares to your 40d but it's probably similar. Watch the focus, the 50mm isn't great for it in low light.
 
You'll struggle at ISO 400. All my gigs, large and small have been a minimum of 800, sometimes in smaller venues up to 3200.
Noise is better than blurry mess.
 
So Full M mode
No flash
1/120ish
Wide open aperture
800iso+ (40d is not great at high ISO)
 
Usual stuff for processing . drop the blacks a bit and tweak levels. BW conversion works wonders for murky lighting. Get in close, don't get squashed in the mosh pit if it gets a bit lively later on!
 
gothgirl said:
So move the camera not the focus point
...and keep it locked on a centre focus ?

Should I add a couple of + exposure points in the camera ?

As with the variable lighting if I'm not using flash it will be very dark images at a fast shutter speed...

Off the top of my head this is what I would have gone for
S will soon layout know if you p***ed them off.
50mm 1.8
TV mode 1/100
Spot Metering
ISO400 (I have a 40d and I'm wondering how much noise I'd get over this)
+2 exposure (depending on how well lit / variable stage lights are, might not be needed)
Click to expand...

Florence And The Machine and Ian Brown on my site are shot at 1600 and 3200 on a 40D. It will handle it if exposed correctly.

Depending on the gig, I would advise to look to shoot flash. Lots of punk and metal gigs are shot with harsh direct flash and it suits the style of music well. This will need permission of the band first though obviously.

Under 1/200 you may struggle with motion blur. My most important tip though is to be mindful of the crowd although metal fans will let you know if you p***ed them off.

Enjoy it.
 
What's the band btw?
 
Hmmm, can't find any info on that venue! I guess knowing the band will help.

Avoid any + exposure compensation - your camera meter will try to take an average of the scene which at a gig is mostly black. The result would be wildly over expose highlights - and consider the performers faces/hands highlights. Manual is actually not a bad way to go just make sure you check and recheck the histogram. I have had success in manual and also TV mode.

What I use now is TV mode, set the shutter based on the gig energy. The ISO will be set based on the lighting usually starting at 800 but up to 3200 and then the camera will deal with aperture. If I have got shutter speed and ISO correct I should be seeing the aperture move between wide open and stopped down no more than 2 stops. I also tend to have the metering set to under expose a bit, again depending on the lighting - this is to preserve the highlights as once gone they are never coming back!

Case in point here - so much shadow there but the highlights are preserved. Had I been running +2 then the highlights would have been a mess.
 
Just don't get sucked into the middle of the pit, its easily done if I recall! Also if you haven't insured your kit, now might be a good time to consider it. I've had more than a few knocks and bumps at gigs and that's without a camera!
 
I'm hoping as the band are quite small (as far as metal bands go) they may be willing to let me on the other side of the barrier or even side of stage if I give them free copies of all the shots

I've took the advice above, and contacted the band direct,

I've told them in all honesty that I have got a lot of experience but in other fields and I can't be certain that the photos will turn Out well if at all , but if they don't have someone set up already and they're willing to let me try, then I'll give them a copy of all the shots for free to use as they will .

It's not money I'm after it's experience so I'd even sign a waiver if they wanted me to giving them full unlimited use to the photos, and if they make it big soon (which it's looking like they will ) a couple of years down the line it would be cool to say , hey I met those guys and I took some of those shots :)
 
Heart of a coward

If you've not heard of them search their song killing fields

If you have heard of them , you have good taste :)
 
EspressoJunkie said:
Just don't get sucked into the middle of the pit, its easily done if I recall! Also if you haven't insured your kit, now might be a good time to consider it. I've had more than a few knocks and bumps at gigs and that's without a camera!
Click to expand...

When I looked into insuring my kit
I couldn't as it was all bought privately and I have no proof of purchase
 
If I can't get the other side of the barrier I'm not going to take my kit as it's not worth the risk
 
I have heard of them, the vocalist used to be in sylosis.

They don't do much for me, heard it all before, but there are certainly worse bands than them around! Give me proper UK hardcore like Stampin Ground or Snub any day!
 
gothgirl said:
If I can't get the other side of the barrier I'm not going to take my kit as it's not worth the risk
Click to expand...

Is the gig in the main room at Corp or the small room? If it's main room, then don't take you camera unless you have sorted acces as you will not be allowed in without a photo pass. The small room they are more relaxed about but it is still worth checking first.

I've shot both rooms, the small room has fairly poor lighting and no barrier. If you want to shoot you must get your shots early then back away! Main room in front of the barrier is pretty good. They have some very heavy backlighting in there so it takes some getting used to!

If you get access hit me up and I can offer some venue specific advise.

Also, for insurance, look at Photoguard. They insure second hand gear fine.
 
Well the band have given me permission to shoot which is great
Just waiting to find out if I can get access to the side of the stage or front of the barrier :)
 
TCR4x4 said:
I have heard of them, the vocalist used to be in sylosis.

They don't do much for me, heard it all before, but there are certainly worse bands than them around! Give me proper UK hardcore like Stampin Ground or Snub any day!
Click to expand...

Stampin Ground? Now there's a band I havent seen for years! Think the last time I saw them they were supporting Sepultura.....or maybe Soulfly...
 
Aye, was Soulfly, they also toured with anthrax and many others.

They used to gig a lot round here as they were based in Cheltenham. I must have seen them 5 or 6 times, but it was always tiny intimate gigs at the Gloucester guildhall. I remember one gig, the drummer Ade had broken his leg earlier in the month, but he carried on anyway in full plaster, still doing insane double bass with just one leg! The singer Adam seemed to spend more time down with us in the crowd than he did on stage!
Those were the days, when music was proper and gigs were epic.
Other bands in the same era in the same venue was Underrule, linea 77, restraint, sleath.. I miss being young and carefree!

Nikon_Nick said:
Stampin Ground? Now there's a band I havent seen for years! Think the last time I saw them they were supporting Sepultura.....or maybe Soulfly...
Click to expand...
 
Indeed, those were the days. I don't get to go to anywhere as many as id like to these days :0(
 
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