What’s Gotta Stay

So you’d like to take amazing concert photos; don’t we all.  Just like anything, this requires some learning and then a lot of practice.  The question is, how do you get practice on taking concert photos?  Taking shots around the house, of your kids, or even friends can help you get familiar with your camera, but nothing is the same as the real life situation.

Out of all photography, I consider concert photography to be one of the hardest forms.  It’s challenging, typically unrewarding, frustrating and exciting all rolled up into one.  Lighting changes from show to show and venue to venue.  Blast it those entertainers are either moving all over the stage and blurring up your photos or sitting still and boring as can be.  Creating something beautiful out of a show can be a tough nut to crack, but that is why I love it.

How do you get that practice to hone your skills before the big show that you really care about?  My recommendation is to start with local bands and venues where the stakes are not as high and you can take your time experimenting and learning along the way.

Challenges of Small Venues

What makes working with small bands and venues even better than your not having any pressure on the results you create is that they can be really hard.  Small venues will have a lot less invested in their lighting, and lighting is what really makes the difference in ok photos or great photos.  Why is this is a good thing?  If you can master the more difficult situation, the bigger concert with better lighting will be much easier.

Small venues will often have spotlights or simple white lights and nothing else.  This makes color photos not that interesting.  Don’t be afraid to take photos with the idea of turning them black and white for an artistic view of a normally boring situation.  Even in poor lighting you can practice holding your camea very still, anticipating artists move and composing your shots in interesting manners.  Any practice you get is going to make you more prepared with better skills and ideas in your bag of possibilities.

Getting In To Shows to Practice

One big advantage of a small show is that you often don’t have the camera restrictions of a bigger outfit.  Small bands, like Finally Friday shown above are thrilled to have you taking photos, especially if you offer them copies if you get anything good.  Typically you can wander wherever you need to, even going on stage (out of view) if you get permission.  Good luck getting that kind of access at a big show.

If you want to step up beyond the local high school bands it make take a bit more work, but still very possible.  Check local postings for shows and see what you are interested in.  Contact the venue and see if they will allow you access.  If that doesn’t work, and the band is local, try contacting them.  Small local papers often will let you shoot for them on a trial basis if they are not already sending someone to the show.  Contact the paper and get their interest, then you can contact the band or venue and let them know you are shooting for <local rag name> and you might get much further.

If you are seeking media type access, keep in mind there are some restrictions.  Expect some standard rules:

• No flash photography
• First three songs only
• Have respect for paying concert goers and don’t obstruct their view
• Do whatever security tells you to

Equipment

Now keep in mind if you start making commitments to share your photos, the pressure does increase a bit.  Save that step for when you feel more confident that you will get some shots worth sharing afterwards.  Plus, if you are going to play at this level, don’t expect to pull it off with a point and shoot camera.  If you get a media pass and show up with your 3 megapixel point and shoot, don’t expect to get invited back again.  To get the shots you need, and the respect you desire, you will need to be shooting with some sort of SLR camera.

Once you are in the SLR playing field, invest in a lens or two that make getting great shots more possible.  Look for lenses that offer the reach you need with the lowest possible f-stop you can afford.  f/2.8 is what you are gunning for.  Still, if you need to keep the budget down, get what you can and work with it.  Make sure you have an option to get the zoom, 70-200mm is idea, and then also the wide views, 17-55mm is a great wider option. Have a way to carry your spare lens with you in a waist bag of sorts, and learn how to swap lenses quickly in the dark.

Have Fun

Regardless of the level you are hoping to be at, whether pseudo media type or just getting better with the camera you have, learn to relax and have fun.  By practicing when the pressure if off you can learn what kind of shots you like to take and how to do them with ease.  Once you have mastered the settings for your camera that work for you, then you can go into the concerts you really care about and shoot great photos without a second though…and actually enjoy the concert too!

Tags: concert photography, photo tips, photography