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

[TCR4x4]

Actually can't remember the last gig I went to. So bad.

Let me think...

Must have been hammerfest 2010 in Prestatyn. Napalm death, devildriver , Skindred, Epica, Iced Earth.. Was pretty awesome.

 

[Nikon_Nick]

I think it was 2010 for me also. Machine Head at Wembley Arena, also with Devil Driver ;0)

 

[gothgirl]

Actually can't remember the last gig I went to. So bad.

Let me think...

Must have been hammerfest 2010 in Prestatyn. Napalm death, devildriver , Skindred, Epica, Iced Earth.. Was pretty awesome.

I was there

Napalm death I've met a couple of times , sound guys

 

[gothgirl]

I think it was 2010 for me also. Machine Head at Wembley Arena, also with Devil Driver ;0)

I got signed by devil driver after I ate dirt in their circle pit

They signed my mud

 

[TCR4x4]

I was there

Awesome, here is a belated hello I was the dude with the long hair, black combats and boots.

 

[gothgirl]

Awesome, here is a belated hello I was the dude with the long hair, black combats and boots.

That narrows it down
I think I saw you
Were you drinking beer by any chance?

 

[Whoozit]

To add a few more thoughts... I've shot gigs with a nikon D90 and D700 plus 28-70 and 70-200. But have also used superwide for soundcheck shots which is when i get the majority of the documentary style shots. Exposure is usually set to full manual for creative control PLUS auto ISO capped at 6400 on both bodies. I take the view that if that isnt enough to capture the shot, wait one sec and the lighting will change judicious post processing in Lightroom can salvage even quite noisy shots if the composition is strong enough - or create a happy accident. Dont be afraid of clicking away or of pulling back to try some wider shots, in a 3 song set i could get 150-200 shots which i edit down to 10-20.

Some examples:

Shutter speed too slow but created a happy accident full of movement

20120510 DSC_8711.jpg by PowderPhotography, on Flickr

Lighting changed just as i hit the shutter -created a very spooky image

20111106 NSSM2 2024.jpg by PowderPhotography, on Flickr

Wide shot framing the guitarist -watched to see what the lights were doing

20120510 DSC_8663.jpg by PowderPhotography, on Flickr

Get some detail shots if you can

20121202 Not So Silent Movies DSC_1337.jpg by PowderPhotography, on Flickr

And have fun doing it

20121202 Not So Silent Movies DSC_1237.jpg by PowderPhotography, on Flickr

 

[TCR4x4]

That narrows it down
I think I saw you
Were you drinking beer by any chance?

Haha, I was... But shhh, I sneaked it in. I filled a lucozade bottle up from some cans I bought in the car. Upon entering the hall, the bouncer pulled the bottle out of my pocket and said, what this?... just lucozade says I! He says ok and hands it back to me.. I was too tight to pay the fee in the bar.

I was the guy at the front for Skindred getting arm pitted by some fat sweaty dude, and the guy staring lovingly at Simone from Epica.

 

[gothgirl]

I've been there, re: sweaty fat dude :-/

Like seriously just because you're a metal head you've never heard of deodorant

Haha I'm too tight to pay for the bar too, we just had ours in the chalet

Our friends thought it was cheap but they're from central London and everything is cheap compared to that lol

 

[inaneredstripe]

I have to go with Richard (the voice of experience) on this one.

 

[inaneredstripe]

Ta for that shot Richard. Scarlet Riot are cool n groovy. Shame she wasnt wearing THOSE shorts tho.