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04/22/2008 11:44:39 PM · #1 |
Any tips or information? Here's what I have available to me to use:
Nikon D200
Nikon D1 (infrared modified, may be cool?)
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Tokina 12-24 f/4
Nikkor 18-200 VR
SB-600 flash
Tripod
I'm working now on obtaining the photo pass, but I know people who have shot at this club before and they say it's super easy to get one. The show is one of my favorite bands, Five Finger Death Punch, playing May 23. They're a metal band, so I aim to take appropriately metal shots, which is what I need to learn how to do!
Message edited by author 2008-04-22 23:45:15. |
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04/22/2008 11:59:14 PM · #2 |
-use lens hoods to protect against drunks
-bring a monopod
-use a high ISO (if your camera can set to a sensitivity prorioty shooting, go with that)
-dont forget to white balance to the lighting (usually tungsten)
-ask if you can shoot during the sound check (normally they'll let you onstage during sound check)
-befriend everyone, you dont know how they can help you
-if its a small club, usually you can get pretty close onstage as long as you dont become part of the show (off in the wings)
-have fun, go nuts. |
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04/23/2008 02:07:46 AM · #3 |
Thanks! I was actually thinking about how a monopod would probably be more useful. Any suggestions for a cheap, broke-student monopod?
I myself have never been to the club, but I believe it is rather small. I should have enough tele with the 50mm alone, though I may end up borrowing the 18-200 for the VR; the extra reach is bonus. |
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04/23/2008 02:32:40 AM · #4 |
when you buy a monopod just make sure it can do landscape and portrait (not that i dont know anyone who has made that mistake *ahem*)
50mm will be alot of fun, on your 18 - 200mm, youll need to be aware of how far your reaching. the VR will be great, but as you zoom out youll loose stops (unless its a really nice lens), which means you loose light, and your running an uphill battle from there.
best bet is to get all the way up to the front and get in there and shoot away (good luck if theres a pit). be careful of your flash, the club may allow it, but it may not be to popular with the crowd or band (no one likes 'that guy') |
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04/23/2008 02:44:29 AM · #5 |
your results will depend a lot on the venue but mostly on the lighting. In a small venue you can usually ask the lighting dude to lay off the red lights - otherwise all you'll get is b/w photos some examples from such a venue
Always shoot RAW because the are changing so quickly you've got no chance of getting the WB right shooting JPG.
Use the spot meter and aperture priority (generally I don't go slower than f/4)
Use the lens hood (not just to protect against drunks) to stop stage lights hitting killing your photo
Leave the flash at home - use the lighting provided by the venue
heres a couple of shots from the weekend of Biohazard playing in Sydney
   
Message edited by author 2008-04-23 07:56:25.
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04/23/2008 03:14:42 AM · #6 |
I worked as a rock concert photographer for a while in venues in New York City.
- Ditto on what other have said about leaving your flash at home. The venues generally have really cool lighting set ups. Sometime you might have to wait for a spot to hit the musician you want, but it'll make a dramatic shot, so that's ok.
- I would always get there early so I could get a good spot in the photo pit (or at the front of the stage if there is no photo pit). Towards the middle (or end if I'm getting good close shots) of the show, I'd move to the back or to a balcony to get some overall shots of the band with the crowd going wild.
- I used to use my Evolt-500 with the basic lens kit. I never had problems with the lenses being slow when zoomed all the way in. I say go for the zoom if just for the flexibility on framing.
- I also never used a tri/monopod and never felt the need for one. The less equipment you have, the better because of the limited space you will have (especially if you get caught in a mosh, but don't underestimate the pushiness of other photographers in a photo pit!). I only ever had my camera, one telephoto and one wide angle (kept in a small backpack on my stomach for protection), and two spare batteries.
- I found that photo passes gave me access to most of the club, including backstage. I would usually talk to the bands beforehand and snap some pictures of them in their dressing/waiting room. Then they felt comfortable with me and would usually play to me during the concert, so I got some good shots with eye contact.
- Don't forget to enjoy the music at the same time! |
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04/23/2008 07:36:44 AM · #7 |
I might be shooting a band soon, so great advice everyone. Particularly interesting about the flash, as I was gonna take it just in case... Would you not even use one compensated right down just for a little bit of fill?
The reason I ask is that I might be shooting in a venue with very little or no specific stage lighting, i.e. when a band plays in a pub rather than on a stage. |
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04/23/2008 07:55:36 AM · #8 |
I can't say I've never used a flash - sometimes I have put a flash on top of a speaker stack and fired it with a radio trigger and bounced it off the roof to raise the ambient level a few stops. if all the lights in a small venue are one color you can a complimentary color gel and get some much more interesting photos. But never direct on camera flash - it will ruin the feel you are trying to capture.
There is an old thread on here somewhere with lots of great information about band photography - can't find it though...
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04/23/2008 08:07:28 AM · #9 |
In my experience I don't really use flash that much, but second-curtain flash can really add a life to places where there is colorful lighting or even in darker venues.
My advice must be to study the flash a bit, if you have the option of a second-curtains flash then you should bring it with you, with it the shutter-time becomes less important so that you can probably stop your lenses down and maybe use around a second for the shot. Since this is some gritty metal-band I wouldn't be afraid of noise, so don't be afraid of pushing your ISO as far as you can go, the noise can really make a interesting effect, especially in b&w. I've never used tripod or monopod and wouldn't advice bringing one, your 50mm lens is probably the one you will use most because of its big aperture but the wide lens option is essential if you can be near the stage. Just be prepared for having to play by ear, the conditions are really different in such places and you might not be able to get the shots your lookingfor, you have all the gear you need, just go and make us proud! |
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04/23/2008 02:56:14 PM · #10 |
So I'm seeing a lot of debate on whether to use a monopod-- I may just bring it, and if I find it interrupting my flow I'll have them check it at the coat check or whatever. That way everyone's happey :)
But thanks for the tons of advice, guys. I'll leave the flash at home, I don't want to be the douchebag interupting the show a ton for my flash bursts. Plus, the ones I've seen just with the ambient lighting have been REALLY cool. That's what concert photography is all about, in my book.
Any more tips would be appreciated, but I feel like I have a good launch point now. Thanks! |
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04/23/2008 03:13:41 PM · #11 |
Some great shots there Tim, what sort of shutter speed were they? Any other settings, lens/aperture that you would be willing to share?
: ) |
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04/23/2008 03:22:53 PM · #12 |
| This thread has some great ideas: Concert thread |
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04/23/2008 03:38:46 PM · #13 |
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04/23/2008 06:06:30 PM · #14 |
Lots of great discussion here. Most of all, congratulations and good luck shooting concerts -- it's about the most fun I've found with my camera.
Considering Five Finger Death Punch is my-kinda-band, too, ;) (I just shot a Ministry show a couple of weeks ago), I'd make a few decisions based on some assumptions which will likely hold true:
- It will be a crazy show and a crazy crowd. Mono/tri-pod == weapon (not for you, I mean someone else will grab it and use it on you). I wouldn't even bother. They might not let you bring it in, regardless of your photo creds anyway. If you think you want it, ASK ahead of time.
- Flash, for this kind of show, I wouldn't bother. Unless you find out ahead of time they will allow it, and you really want to use it -- just leave it at home. Most bands will specifically prohibit flash. War story from a friend, who was shooting a well-known rock guitar hero, who shall remain nameless -- he accidentally popped up the builtin flash and popped a shot from the pit. Name-withheld-rock-hero STOPPED THE SHOW and berated him in front of the whole crowd. There was drama. You don't want no drama. No-no-no-no-drama-drama. :P I actually put electrical tape over mine, so it is held down even if I bump the flash button. On that note, I put black electrical tape on all the shiny parts of my camera -- just so stage lights/etc don't hit it and even *look* like I might be flashing.
- Lens -- I would personally leave the 18-200 at home. Don't get me wrong, I love that lens, but it's just too slow for anything low or mixed light like concert work. At some (well-lit) concerts it might work; with the radical lighting I think you can expect at your show, I just think it's going to frustrate you. Think about renting a 17-55 2.8 or a 17-35 2.8. My 17-55 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 are my concert and theatre work-horses. The 50 1.8 is great, but given the restricted amount of moment you'll likely be allowed, I wouldn't rely on that as my only lens.
- Be careful shooting the crowd. No kidding, some people don't want to be photographed at shows. Some bands won't *let* you shoot the crowd -- if security sees you even aim your camera away from the stage, you'll be out on your ear. Check ahead of time first, or just don't bother.
A neat suggestion a friend gave me once is to check youtube or other video sources for any video footage of the show you're going to shoot. All of the mid- highly-popular artists do essentially the same show every night. If you know the lighting and movement ahead of time, you can get in the right spot, with the right lens and the right settings and be ready to get what you want.
Other than that, a couple of general suggestions --
- Be ready for anything. Especially if they are serving alcohol, people are nuts. People are nuts even if they aren't drinking. You're going to be walking around with several hundred, if not thousands of dollars of gear around your neck and waist -- keep your hands on your stuff at all times. If you're not shooting (if they only let you shoot the first "x" songs for example), take the gear back outside and lock it up. I would not trust securing gear onsite at any venue, but your mileage may vary. Realize that even though you have a review ticket and pass, they may not let you back in once you leave -- so, try to talk to someone on your way out who will agree to let you back.
- Wear black, think ninja-thoughts and stay out of the way. As much as you love what you are doing, remember there are (crazy, probably drunk) people behind you. Even if you don't think you are getting in their way, they might think you are. If you do have room to move, keep moving around -- don't be a target. When I was shooting Ministry, I got no less than three beer bottles tossed to the back of my head. And I was basically kneeling/crawling around the pit, staying well out of the way. Another great reason to befriend the security guys -- they'll watch your back. Same show, I had at least two guys jump the barrier right behind me (not sure if they were coming for me or what), but my-new-buds-in-security were very polite and helped keep me and my gear out of harms way.
Remember you are about to see a show from a whole new vantage point. Some of it will totally rock. Some of it might totally suck. Keep an open mind. Take lots of pictures. LOTS. You'll hopefully end up with a few worth keeping. ;)
Wow, that turned into a long bunch of rambling. Hope there's something there you can use... ;)
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05/31/2008 07:42:11 PM · #15 |
I feel like the thread-killer around here. No one ever seems to follow-up when I post. :P
How did the show/shoot go, Anti-Martyr?
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05/31/2008 07:51:40 PM · #16 |
You can probably forget using the f4 lens unless you have some sweet stage lighting and a camera that can shoot high ISO without too much grain.
Somebody mentioned leaving the flash at home. I used to do this, but then I realized that its always good to have for emergencies. Small clubs can have really shitty lighting, so if you have a remote trigger or something, it can always save you. Try not using it unless you need to though. I especially would discourage you from shooting with the flash on camera. It really kills the mood of the photos.
I think people telling you not to bring it are shooting in big venues with nice lighting. (in this case they often wont even let you use a flash)
Make sure you talk to the bands and let them know you took photos. If you have a website (or even give them your dpc address) they can look up your photos, and if they like you, theyll get you in for free, and buy you beer ;)
Good luck and enjoy the show! |
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05/31/2008 08:04:46 PM · #17 |
i was just shooting a concert in a smaller club this weekend and was happy to have my 20 1.8 that allowed me to shoot fast even tho the lighting was kinda dark. like some have mentioned before the 18-200 will not serve you well because of the slow aperture. flash is cool if you can (and ere allowed to) use it wireless, i.e. putting it on a tripod at the side of the stage which will then provide nice strip light when you're shooting from behind the band.
 or 
the tokina is awesome for concerts i looooved mine but as phil mentioned it's best when there's enough light on stage.
these are shot on the 12mm end
  
i'll be shooting a concert on friday and honestly thinking about investing in a fisheye, would be friggin awesome i think...;)
oh just saw your concert is overdue. we wanna see results man! :D
Message edited by author 2008-05-31 20:05:49. |
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05/31/2008 08:29:59 PM · #18 |
| Tripods tend to get knocked over as people rush past... Bogen Superclamps, gaffers tape, ball bungees, Velcro are useful flash fixtures. Maybe you can tape a flash unit to on of the lighting gantries. Gel it with CTO at least, of some sort of colour perhaps. |
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