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08/09/2014 06:49:26 PM · #1
I've been promised a photo pass (and backstage tics) to a Chicago / REO Speedwagon concert this Wednesday. He's having problems getting me seat tickets, though, because of some problems their having with their management or something. Anyone here know anything about photo passes at concerts, particularly at Riverbend? My current tickets are out on the lawn, but does will a photo pass get me closer?
08/09/2014 06:50:36 PM · #2
Heck yes. It should get you up front/to the sides in a photographer's area.
08/09/2014 06:59:40 PM · #3
Hmmm, I'll have to find out where the photographer's area is at Riverbend and see if I can get hubby one too.
08/09/2014 07:00:55 PM · #4
Good news, bad news. Good news yes it will get you closer, bad news, usually press photographers get the first 2-3 songs and then are sent away.
08/09/2014 07:07:54 PM · #5
Aw dang!

He wants pics of them, but REO is playing first. :(

Message edited by author 2014-08-09 19:09:49.
08/09/2014 11:54:00 PM · #6
matt's right about it usually being the first three songs, but that's also usually for each act.

also, if this does work out for you, please be mindful of any working photogs that are actually covering the event. those 3 songs might allow only 7-10 minutes of shooting, and it's challenging enough without having to deal with people who are in the way. it's really appreciated when those in the photographer's areas step up, get their shot, then move on to let someone else get theirs; it's not appreciated when someone simply parks themselves in a prime spot without regard to anyone else.

fwiw, i typically shoot with a long lens, 2-3 stops down to account for hot stage lights and spot lights.

hope it works out for you. good luck, have fun!
08/10/2014 12:21:55 AM · #7
She's working too, Skip: the band wants her pictures. Good advice all the same, however.

Message edited by author 2014-08-10 00:22:22.
08/10/2014 12:50:57 AM · #8
OMG Chicago and REO Speed Buggy, I'd die for either of those.... Face it totally GREEN with jealously
08/10/2014 05:59:36 AM · #9
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

She's working too, Skip: the band wants her pictures.

totally missed that. (still don't see anything in any post as to who specifically was hooking her up...) because there is a huge difference between having a photo pass and "shooting for the band". typically shooting for the band (or band management or the production company) means "all-access before, during, and after the show". this means not just backstage access, but also green-room access, and that you are free to pretty much go anywhere and do anything shooting-wise that you want, as long as it doesn't interfere with the production or take away from the audience's experience -- even as far as being able to shoot from onstage. this requires being even more mindful of the photogs that have only a photo-pass, since you are going to be able to get stuff that they can't, you really don't want to prevent them from getting the stuff they need to get within the restrictions placed on them.

another thing to be clear on going into situations like this is rights management. that is knowing who owns the images and what can be done with them. while US copyright law grants copyright ownership to the creator at time of creation when there is no contract in place, many venues and production companies require you to sign over your rights in exchange for any type of credential (this is true of NASCAR, Monster Trucks, the NHL, and many, many, many more). while they will let fans slide on this, allowing them to post stuff freely, they tend to come down hard on anyone commercializing images captured under their credential. they make exceptions for dealing directly with the performing parties, their management, and/or official licensees (for example, photogs can license images to a NASCAR team, their ad agencies, as well as the team sponsors). in situations where a photog is granted access to much more than what is covered by a standard credential, there is even more concern over controlling images that could result in negative publicity. here again, it's a matter of being clear as to what can and can't be done, before making the first click.

along these lines, it's one thing to provide images for free to help a band just getting started, and it's one thing to share images with others in return for their hospitality, but it's really uncool for established businesses to use images commercially without sharing the wealth. in other words, if an NFL team, a major food chain, or a band with a 30+ year history wanted to use a cool shot in a press release, in an advertisement, on their official website, or on a commercial object, they should pay a fair licensing fee, rather than just "giving credit". it's not like they don't have the money.

oh, and if there's a chance you might be allowed outside of the photographer's area, wear all black so as to blend into the background as much as possible.
08/10/2014 10:05:47 AM · #10
Originally posted by Skip:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

She's working too, Skip: the band wants her pictures.

totally missed that. (still don't see anything in any post as to who specifically was hooking her up...)

Wasn't in this post. Nearly a year ago she shot this image:



Long story short, the band saw it (or Tris Imboden saw it) and was impressed enough to ask her to do some more stuff for them and set her up with the pass.
08/10/2014 01:03:59 PM · #11
Yeah, the band is setting me up with the photo pass.

We haven't discussed any kind of payment really. It's been more along the lines of we'd like to meet you face to face one day with Tris and the especially the other percussionist Wally (and the bus driver, Mike, lol). They are looking forward to seeing pictures, but no mention of money. It's more of a them doing me a favor, not them hiring me. Honestly, if they pull off an all access thing, I'd give the photos away, although I think if they wanted to use them for anything, they'd get me paid.

All of the inspiration and motivation they've given me via e-mail over the past year has been priceless!!!

Thanks for the info Skip. Surely Uncle Wally knows about the full access thing. His last e-mail:

Its a crazy tour with new rules even for us.
The bigger they get the more restrictions from mngmt.
We'll work on it
Wally

Sent from my iPhone


I'll for sure get backstage and photo pass, but not sure about seats. If I do get seats along with my photo pass, can I shoot from my seat? They don't take cameras away, right?
08/10/2014 03:20:09 PM · #12
cool stuff, Cynthia.

most venues will hassle people with gear that even begins to look professional. you can be surrounded by fans using their phones to stream the show straight to the internet and nobody says anything until you pull out something with a lens longer than 2". an all-access pass, though, should help; just be mindful that not all the event staff are necessarily on the same page. hang as close to the band as you can, and if possible, get someone from the band staff to introduce you to the security people. all it takes is one rent-a-cop with an attitude to waste 10-15 minutes of your prime shooting time

==========================================

fwiw...
we went to see the counting crows a few years ago. the crows have no restrictions whatsoever on being recorded for photographed; however, some of the venues they play have their own rules. i called ahead and was told tough darts, i couldn't bring anything that even looked professional. since it was over an hour from home, i didn't want to take gear and leave it in the car. i took my 7D with nothing but my nifty-fifty.

when we got to the security gate, the security guy asked me if that was all i brought. when i told him yes, he told me that was too bad, that the venue had lifted all the restrictions THAT AFTERNOON! c'est la vie.

i stitched this together from 7 shots


this past winter i shot a concert for a college magazine. even though we were told "3 songs", the band management and the security personnel assisted me in shooting as long as i wanted, from wherever i wanted.



Message edited by author 2014-08-10 15:42:13.
08/12/2014 03:19:25 PM · #13
Originally posted by Skip:

cool stuff, Cynthia.

most venues will hassle people with gear that even begins to look professional. you can be surrounded by fans using their phones to stream the show straight to the internet and nobody says anything until you pull out something with a lens longer than 2". an all-access pass, though, should help; just be mindful that not all the event staff are necessarily on the same page. hang as close to the band as you can, and if possible, get someone from the band staff to introduce you to the security people. all it takes is one rent-a-cop with an attitude to waste 10-15 minutes of your prime shooting time

....



Awesome stuff Skip!! I've only been recently getting into event photography. Needless to say, I lucked into this photo pass. I actually have been meaning to hit you up on that sports thread, but was waiting for the concert to be over.

Here another question: We have seats now... actually some pretty awesome seventh row seats. If I get my camera in with my photo pass, go to the allotted spot for photographers for the 2 or 3 songs, then go back to my seat... can I shoot from there as well??? And if not, what happens if I do? LOL
08/12/2014 03:40:29 PM · #14
Originally posted by Omega_Donkey:

Originally posted by Skip:

cool stuff, Cynthia.

most venues will hassle people with gear that even begins to look professional. you can be surrounded by fans using their phones to stream the show straight to the internet and nobody says anything until you pull out something with a lens longer than 2". an all-access pass, though, should help; just be mindful that not all the event staff are necessarily on the same page. hang as close to the band as you can, and if possible, get someone from the band staff to introduce you to the security people. all it takes is one rent-a-cop with an attitude to waste 10-15 minutes of your prime shooting time

....



Awesome stuff Skip!! I've only been recently getting into event photography. Needless to say, I lucked into this photo pass. I actually have been meaning to hit you up on that sports thread, but was waiting for the concert to be over.

Here another question: We have seats now... actually some pretty awesome seventh row seats. If I get my camera in with my photo pass, go to the allotted spot for photographers for the 2 or 3 songs, then go back to my seat... can I shoot from there as well??? And if not, what happens if I do? LOL


thanks!

you probably can, but expect to be hassled. you know, hope for the best, plan for the worst. they won't take your stuff, but they *might* insist that you put it away. if you can get to a safe place where you can shoot longer (without being in anyone's way), keep shooting until someone tells you that's enough. if you can get a backstage/all-access pass, you can always try the, "hey, i'm with the band!" sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (it really helps, though, when you *are* with the band.)

i called camden yards a few years ago before going to an orioles game (as a fan) to find out what their restrictions were. they said they didn't care, as long as i didn't interfere with any other fan's ability to enjoy the game. that and no tripods or monopods allowed in the stands.

last week i covered the patriots/redskins joint training camp for the AP. they told us ahead of time where we could shoot from and for how long. they absolutely enforced everything they said, especially when the horn sounded and they announced over the loudspeakers that all photography and video personnel were to leave the field...they were serious.

hopefully, you will not be hassled and will have the time of your life!
08/14/2014 05:39:25 PM · #15
Well, it happened!!!!!

08/14/2014 05:40:14 PM · #16
Originally posted by Omega_Donkey:

Well, it happened!!!!!



Wally let me borrow his all-access pass for the show and Tris let my husband borrow his so we could be together.
08/14/2014 05:48:55 PM · #17
OMG, look at YOU!
08/14/2014 07:03:15 PM · #18
I'm a badass, right?! That's what Wally calls me, lol!

So to update on the photo pass thing... I got there and picked up my tickets (Wally scored 4th row tix!), backstage passes, and photo pass. The lady at the administration center tells me I get 3 songs for all four sets...the opening band, REO, Chicago, and the finale with REO and Chicago all on stage together. In between they take my camera away.

I thought this was best case scenario all around, but when I messaged Wally on the phone, he said to come around to the back. So I did, and there he was. The guy I've been exchanging e-mails with for the past year and the guy who inspired me to get off my ass and start utilizing my skills. We hugged and he handed me his 'all-access' and handed hubby Tris Imboden's 'all-access'. He basically said that that would let me anywhere with my camera. By then I had missed the opening act.

I went back to admin just as she was walking out with my camera. I showed her the all-access and she said it didn't make a difference. I messaged Wally and went and shot 3 REO songs then handed my camera over. After that set I walked up to get my camera for the Chicago set and she told me I could keep it for the rest of the night. Wally had made a couple of phone calls :D.

So there it is... a perfect night and only problems I encountered was running out of disk space. By the end of the show I was culling photos as I went, but was pretty much happy with what I'd gotten so far.

Now I have 2 8G cards to back up and cull and process. My only complaint would be the angle that I had to shoot at. I was shooting up their noses all night. Next time (next month!) I'm going try to get seats at eye level next to a walkway, so no heads in my way.

08/14/2014 08:46:59 PM · #19
that's amazing! Congrats!
08/14/2014 08:53:43 PM · #20
Originally posted by Omega_Donkey:


So there it is... a perfect night and only problems I encountered was running out of disk space. By the end of the show I was culling photos as I went, but was pretty much happy with what I'd gotten so far.

Now I have 2 8G cards to back up and cull and process.


Sounds like a great time to upgrade your cards!!!

PS...Congrats and awesome!!!
08/14/2014 08:59:16 PM · #21
That sounds like a great time, Cynthia. I can't wait to see some more of your images from the night.
08/14/2014 09:53:10 PM · #22
Originally posted by Omega_Donkey:

Well, it happened!!!!!


freakin AWESOME! so happy for you!!

like i said ;-)
Originally posted by Skip:

an all-access pass, though, should help; just be mindful that not all the event staff are necessarily on the same page. hang as close to the band as you can, and if possible, get someone from the band staff to introduce you to the security people. all it takes is one rent-a-cop with an attitude to waste 10-15 minutes of your prime shooting time.


Originally posted by Skip:

you know, hope for the best, plan for the worst. they won't take your stuff, but they *might* insist that you put it away. if you can get to a safe place where you can shoot longer (without being in anyone's way), keep shooting until someone tells you that's enough. if you can get a backstage/all-access pass, you can always try the, "hey, i'm with the band!" sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (it really helps, though, when you *are* with the band.)


way to make it work!
08/14/2014 10:21:15 PM · #23
Skip, thanks for all the advice. It proved invaluable last night. Gonna PM you in the next couple of days... I thought I'd pick your brain on a few things if that's OK?
08/15/2014 09:07:05 AM · #24
Originally posted by Omega_Donkey:

Skip, thanks for all the advice. It proved invaluable last night. Gonna PM you in the next couple of days... I thought I'd pick your brain on a few things if that's OK?

glad to be of help. fire away :D
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