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06/16/2005 03:48:22 AM · #1 |
Hi Guys
I have been lucky enough to have a couple of bands requests i shoot them on stage and create photo work for 2 albums?
Question? What lens would be best for gig photography
I assume a low light lens but advice on this would be great. AlsoThe condidition for the gig will be in a large late night bar, so lighting should be ok not totaly black.
Question 2: Anybody have any tips on Cd cover work, size, resolution, what size of fonts etc... again cheers for the help
Darren
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06/16/2005 08:38:37 AM · #2 |
I generally use my 24mm f/1.8 so i have enough versatility in low light. I don't know where i'd be without iso3200 on my 20D though even with that. Although it really all depends on the lighting.
Some recent efforts of mine.
The first gig i ever photographed, i thought i'd do well if i just shot everything at f/1.8 - the lack of hand shake ought to make up for the loss in depth of field. WRONG. I generally find a happy medium shooting at about f/5.6, even if i have to go as low as 1/10 of a second handholding to do it.
I have experimented with flash somewhat, but i find in the harsh and unpredictable lighting conditions of the stage it's really difficult to keep the flash balanced with the surrounding lighting if the conditions are constantly changing or if you're moving around.
Of course if you're only staying in one place, or shooting with a telephoto, it's a totally different business - consider using a tripod if practical, and then depth of field and shutter speeds are entirely up to you.
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06/16/2005 09:03:25 AM · #3 |
~
Message edited by author 2005-06-16 17:45:43. |
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06/16/2005 09:05:00 AM · #4 |
Also, see if you can get in on some more private sessions like the sound check, Back Stage. If they are playing clubs see if it's possible to get the band together for a mock gig before the show and get your pics there. It's a bit of a cheat but it really puts you in control.
Cheers,
Eric R Thibodeau...
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06/16/2005 09:12:49 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by ttibby:
Also, see if you can get in on some more private sessions like the sound check, Back Stage. If they are playing clubs see if it's possible to get the band together for a mock gig and get your pics there. It's a bit of a cheat but it really puts you in control. |
It's a lot of a cheat! :P Being able to photograph at the soundcheck is very important though, it gives you a chance to experiment with the lighting and positions before the real thing. However, you really need to photograph the real thing in front of a live audience to capture the true emotion that pours out. (if the band is any good!)
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06/16/2005 09:17:35 AM · #6 |
Some nice work there. Have you considered shooting with something a bit more telephoto? 50/1.8 for instance?
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06/16/2005 09:24:47 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by PaulMdx:
Some nice work there. Have you considered shooting with something a bit more telephoto? 50/1.8 for instance? |
Thanks :) Trouble is, i don't really have anything like that. My f/1.8 is a macro lens anyway - i generally find myself shooting at the opposite end of the spectrum, at 300mm upwards, and at these two gigs i was able to stand right in front of the stage. Something like a 50mm or 70mm would have probably been a bit of an improvement though, but it would have to be something of a similarly wide aperture (needless to say i was manual focusing each time).
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06/16/2005 09:32:33 AM · #8 |
| my favorite lens for shows is my f2.8 10.5 mm fisheye. it lets you get really close and really gives some interesting shots. My advice would be (assuming you are still allowed to get close) to have a flash in one hand connected to the camera via sync cord or at least mounted on a flash bracket, an on camera flash looks yucky. With they fisheye it's best to hold it in you other hand since no flash is wide enought to cover the space a fisheye gets, but you'll get some good side lighting etc. |
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06/16/2005 09:36:36 AM · #9 |
Great Stuff Paul...
Heres my medicore first attempt. A co-workers band playing outdoors at the Coronado Yacht club. It was somewhat small but festive...
I had quite a bit of light to work with so I was using my 70-200mm 4L and would go to the Tamron SP 17-35mm 2.8-4 for wides... Not a paying shoot but they sure snatched up the pics when I showed em to them.
My thing right now is to just get out and get used to shooting these things amidst a lot of people...seems to be working as the more I do the confident I become.
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06/16/2005 09:37:23 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by petrakka:
my favorite lens for shows is my f2.8 10.5 mm fisheye. it lets you get really close and really gives some interesting shots. My advice would be (assuming you are still allowed to get close) to have a flash in one hand connected to the camera via sync cord or at least mounted on a flash bracket, an on camera flash looks yucky. With they fisheye it's best to hold it in you other hand since no flash is wide enought to cover the space a fisheye gets, but you'll get some good side lighting etc. |
That sounds an interesting technique - do you have any examples online we could have a look at?
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06/16/2005 09:44:19 AM · #11 |
i love shooting concerts ... here are some of my shots with a nicely lit stage .. some outside and some inside ... //www.pbase.com/photosbyayme/concert_photography
i really didnt use any special kind of lens ... and i didnt use a flash for the most part ... this may help .. it may not ... just have fun :)
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06/16/2005 10:02:37 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by petrakka:
my favorite lens for shows is my f2.8 10.5 mm fisheye. it lets you get really close and really gives some interesting shots. My advice would be (assuming you are still allowed to get close) to have a flash in one hand connected to the camera via sync cord or at least mounted on a flash bracket, an on camera flash looks yucky. With they fisheye it's best to hold it in you other hand since no flash is wide enought to cover the space a fisheye gets, but you'll get some good side lighting etc. |
Wow, I thought I was the only photographer who did that with a flash! In my case, it was primarily because of the Minolta proprietary flash mount, but I got to enjoy holding the flash seperately in my left hand so I can quickly bounce it off walls and ceilings or direct if necessary. There's so much control over the flash that way. Zooming becomes tricky, but I have it down to a fine art now. I do have a flash bracket but prefer the speed at which I can point the flash in different directions when holding it. |
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06/16/2005 10:04:28 AM · #13 |
Nothing beats:
16-35L 2.8 usm or
14mmL 2.8 usm
standard on-stage lenses.
but you'll need to get a Canon! (I'm sure they exist in the nikon lineup)
Message edited by author 2005-06-16 10:05:07. |
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06/16/2005 10:50:41 AM · #14 |
Thanks for the replies here guys,
I just got myself a nice little lens:-
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens
Seems to have some great reviews and not expensive at all, also good in low light and also quick enough to work with.
I have access to the sound check and will use this wisely, I have also got a deal with the band to be there offical band photographer for the next year at least. happy days
i will post the results after the gig, not on til july 1st so time to practice in low light i think
cheers again
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06/16/2005 10:56:16 AM · #15 |
10mm fisheye, 24-35mm prime, 85mm 1.8 should be great. Take a flash too and use it for longer exposures like 1 second for nice effects.
70-200 2.8 VR if you have the money.
Message edited by author 2005-06-16 10:57:47.
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06/16/2005 11:03:31 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Brookied:
Thanks for the replies here guys,
I just got myself a nice little lens:-
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens
Seems to have some great reviews and not expensive at all, also good in low light and also quick enough to work with.
I have access to the sound check and will use this wisely, I have also got a deal with the band to be there offical band photographer for the next year at least. happy days
i will post the results after the gig, not on til july 1st so time to practice in low light i think
cheers again |
I've also been promised that by bands but when they get signed and their management insists on using another photographer, say goodbye to your band. |
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06/16/2005 11:28:59 AM · #17 |
I'd suggest something like Tokinas 12-24mm as a secondary lens if you're going to do gig work. There is just something nice about being able to stand in front of the crowd and still capture the entire band in a single photo...
:)
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