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06/13/2002 09:47:19 PM · #1 |
hey, if anyone reading this has done band photography, I'm looking for some good tips and hints.
Especially feedback on getting in the club with your camera, what wheels need to be greased, and how people react to you.
As well as tips on whether or not they let you use flash?
Thanks!
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06/13/2002 10:28:39 PM · #2 |
Bad photography? Yes, all the time!
Oh... "band". Sorry.
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06/14/2002 12:12:06 AM · #3 |
| No man: "bands". You know, like the "superband waistband?" |
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06/14/2002 12:20:44 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by magnetic9999:
hey, if anyone reading this has done band photography, I'm looking for some good tips and hints.
Especially feedback on getting in the club with your camera, what wheels need to be greased, and how people react to you.
As well as tips on whether or not they let you use flash?
Thanks!
Just did some band photos tonight, but dont know if this is what your thinking of. Im talking local band that is on the verge of signing, and I think you are talking more big name. Think a press pass might help you?
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06/14/2002 12:27:57 AM · #5 |
I would think any kind of credential from a newspaper, underground music magazine, webzine etc might help.
Bands are always looking for publicity and some credentials legitimize you a bit. Go to the newspaper and ask if they could use some entertainment coverage photography and tell them what your plans are. They might even send a writer along with you which is cool. Or maybe a local webzine, magazine etc. |
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06/14/2002 12:29:48 AM · #6 |
I'd get in contact with the band in advance, if possible, and see about getting on their 'list'. They'd probably be willing, especially if you gave them a CD afterwards (local bands, anyway). You could also contact mgmt at the club, although you'd need some kind of angle I think.
Barring anything set up in advance - baffle 'em with BS. Attach every conceivable accessory you own to your camera - flash, teleadapter, lens hood, etc. Dress the part - all black works. Make yourself a 'press pass' with your name and contact info to show at the door. Behave as if, and you may just get your cover waived. Works for me all the time over here, but then I'm not from this planet and it shows.
Have fun! |
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06/14/2002 12:32:59 AM · #7 |
| ConceptGraphics is probably the person you should talk to. He was a staff photographer for a concert venue for quite a while. |
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06/14/2002 12:33:52 AM · #8 |
| Oh, and about flash - I think it would be a good idea to clear it with the band ahead of time, or even just get the frontman's attention and point to the flashgun to get a nod. 2nd curtain slow synch works great in situations like this where you want to mix some ambient light with flash. You should be able to handhold between 1/15 and 1/30, and set the flash to underexpose between 0.7 and 1.3 stops. You can go will full flash exposures, too, for nice B/W conversions - just get a stofen or lumiquest diffuser (I'm thinking about the lumiquest medium softbox as the next addition to my arsenal) to keep the nasty shadows down. |
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06/14/2002 12:34:27 AM · #9 |
actually, no, boyte1, i''m talking local band, too. got any good suggestions/stories to share? : )
irae: i think that your second to last sentence would probably apply no matter where you are (ref: the not from this planet line) : )
Originally posted by boyte1:
[/i]
Just did some band photos tonight, but dont know if this is what your thinking of. Im talking local band that is on the verge of signing, and I think you are talking more big name. Think a press pass might help you?
[/i]
* This message has been edited by the author on 6/14/2002 12:42:17 AM. |
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06/14/2002 12:43:49 AM · #10 |
| My sons bestfriend is in this band, thus my hook up with them. I just started out taking some casual shots of them out around town. Then as they got to know me better, and I them, they put me on the list, and I've been photographing them ever since. It's always great to know them and get the more intimate shots, and be able to talk about what they like, and what you like. |
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06/14/2002 12:44:47 AM · #11 |
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06/14/2002 06:44:52 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by magnetic9999:
hey, if anyone reading this has done band photography, I'm looking for some good tips and hints.
Especially feedback on getting in the club with your camera, what wheels need to be greased, and how people react to you.
As well as tips on whether or not they let you use flash?
Thanks!
Magnetic,
I have done some of this but it was with my Sony FD95... I haven't done much with the F707 yet.. I try to avoid the flash and get natural lighting.. my examples of these are on the band's website HERE . My photos are the ones labeled LIVE and OCTOBERFEST 2001.
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06/14/2002 07:43:48 AM · #13 |
* This message has been edited by the author on 6/14/2002 7:46:00 AM. |
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06/14/2002 07:47:02 AM · #14 |
These are some very old shots I had posted a few years back. They were taken with a 35mm and are small because back then small pictures loaded quicker on those dialup modems.
I have shot somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-60 live shows and have my name on 3 CD jackets. Press credentials are a definite help, but don't get caught abusing them. Be upfront with the band and/or the venue about your intentions.
With the larger venues there is a code of ethics you must follow. Most will only let you shoot from the safety zone between the crowd and the stage. I'm not sure why it's called a safety zone 'cuz that's where all the fighting goes on with security. Anyway, protect yourself and your equipment. Have at least two cameras (I used three, each with different lenses) because there isn't any time for mistakes. Most venues let you shoot for the first three songs and then herd you out like cattle.
Get used to shooting over your head. By this I mean holding the camera high at arms length and shooting the pic. It gives the viewer a stronger sense of being there when you aren't looking right up the noses of your subjects. If you don't have a reliable autofocus, manually focus on their knees and then lift the camera to position and shoot. Also watch for sudden light changes. There isn't room for a tripod and they normally aren't allowed. There's nothing like having the lights go out as you click the shot. Don't even think about if the shot is perfect. Take opportunities when you have them.
Last, but not least, know your cameras! If you don't know how your equipments works, even in total darkness, you will miss great shots. By this I mean, "How many times do you have to press the flash preference button to turn off the flash?" Picture yourself standing in the blackness waiting. The show starts. Your flash goes off and security yanks you out and says 'Don't come back.' Pretty embarrasing. Hey, if you can juggle it, take a small penlight.
If I can think of any other tips I'll post them later. It's time to get ready for work.
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06/14/2002 10:37:39 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by magnetic9999:
hey, if anyone reading this has done band photography, I''m looking for some good tips and hints.
Especially feedback on getting in the club with your camera, what wheels need to be greased, and how people react to you.
As well as tips on whether or not they let you use flash?
Thanks!
One of my submissions was a band photograph.
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.asp?IMAGE_ID=1846
I''ve only had a couple of shoots with them at their warehouse, so I don''t have any tips about getting into a club with the camera.
Ok so lets see what sort of tips i can share:
Get a fish eye lens, they look cool! :)
Bands like to move around alot so if you want to get a still picture you are gonna need a higher shutter speed which means more light. I personally hate flash. But then I only have the flash on my c3030 which sucks.
I did end up using my flash for a few shots but I covered it with a tissue to soften the light a bit.
Some band members don''t like what they look like so they enjoy being blurred
Using your camera to create Radial Blur is cool. Just lower your shutter speed and spin your camera as you shoot.
Just remember you are taking pictures of people so use all your people tips.
* This message has been edited by the author on 6/14/2002 10:38:18 AM.
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06/14/2002 10:55:29 AM · #16 |
All I know magnetic is you live near me (3 hours ) so if you get any cool band gigs can I be your assistant? ;-)
I am strong and can carry bags and lights, I eat light (sorta) I know what an f-stop means (its when the dumba$$ old lady in front of you slams on her brakes and you can't f'ing stop!) and I am old enough to go on alcohol runs for the band!
hehehe.......... |
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06/14/2002 11:00:09 AM · #17 |
thanks to everyone who's chimed in. very very helpful illuminating stuff.
initially i was thinking i would just go to shows of up-and-coming bands, shoot them, and then approach them afterwards and show them the pics on my digital cam's LCD, and offer to sell them for cheap.
I've gotten a lot of useful advice here.
And I'm in the DC area, so anyone who is also around here who wants to tag along if possible (hi hokie), or wants to drag someone else along, let me know and maybe we can make something happen!
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06/14/2002 11:12:43 AM · #18 |
yeah magnetic...
What you might want to do is post an idea of a schedule of bands you are thinking of shooting (dates, times and bands) and post em sometime.
I know that a lot of your shoots may be spur of the moment stuff but some may be advance warning stuff as well.
I wast thinking of coming to D.C. to shoot some musicians at some blues bars around there sometime. B.B King came to my town a couple of months ago but without a proper press pass I couldn't get within zoom range much less anything interesting.
Some press credentials are great tickets. I used to write some freelance stuff for the Roanoke Times when in college years ago and they supplied me with a press credential that could help me get all kinds of behind the scenes stuff. I miss those easy access days. |
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06/14/2002 11:19:33 AM · #19 |
i've been taking photography at shows for a few years now, never very seriously. i go to a range of shows and usually see live bands about twice a week. in the punk and hardcore scene, bands encourage photography. they encourage that interaction between the audience and the band. so most of the venues that i go to don't care if you bring a camera.
the reason i love photographing bands is because there is so much that is going on in such a small amount of time. everything moves so fast, so you have to be able to react quickly.
like i said, the bands that i photograph are into being photographed. i've never had to get a press/photo pass for photography. but i have gotten press passes to do interviews with bands. in my experience, bands/labels are going to be into working with the fans so if you are upfront with them and you have some sort of credential, they'll work with you.
if you don't have credentials, contact your local newspaper. perhaps they'll be interested in sponsoring you if you wanted to cover the concert for them. there are people out there that need photographers for their papers or magazines or whatever, contact them and work with them.
the only tip that i can offer is, like someone else mentioned, know your camera. you're going to need to know how to work it in the dark and you're going to need to know how to work it without ever looking at it. know how many clicks it takes to move from shutter priority to aperature priority, know how to disable and renable to flash quickly.
as far as my personal shooting preference: if i can get next to or up on the stage and i'm able to shoot with the flash (speedlite 420ez), i bounce the flash off of the ceiling or wall and shoot with a slow shutter (usually 1/4s to 1.0s). that allows for the motion to stop when the flash goes off and then continue with a blur in the background.
my favorite photos of mine are the ones where i've stopped the motion with the flash and while i still have the shutter open, another flash goes off, stopping the motion again. it's created some great double and triple exposure shots.
just to share, here are a few of my photos that i've taken recently and i like:
american nightmare
ensign
folly - 01
folly - 02
also: if you like show/band photography, check out showpicsyo.com. it's a great site with some excellent photography.
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06/14/2002 12:00:56 PM · #20 |
AHHHHHH YES!!!! I shoot for a local band now called Kabang .. they play here in Orlando, FL at Pleasure Island at Disney .... I use my Sony Mavicka and honestly NO FLASH works so much better when there is contrasting lighting. I am just getting started so i don't really charge - i just use it as a reference and I've asked them to give me a credit on their website - so they did!!! Their official site is link text
I have also made a page of photos for them on my own sitelink text
check em out and let me know what you think ... any other questions feel free to email me at photosbyayme@yahoo.com
Good luck shooting!!!
I love doing live shots .. I have other links too of other bands that play at Pleasure Island ... you can actually see them on my home page www.theyknowushere.com
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06/14/2002 03:33:43 PM · #21 |
Hey Magnetic--just had to chime in here!! Sounds like you have been getting some good advice from everyone and I can''t really say anything different, just personal experiences. First of all, everthing I ever did was with a press pass, which was the number one issue. The clubs and bands just want/need to know that you are not some random freak I guess! I also found that where and what you are allowed to photograph depends not only on the venue but the band as well. What conceptgraphics said about the "safety zone" is true--and you will get pushed around a bit but hold on tight! Plus, the lighting is ususally very cool at the bigger venues (good stage shows), so there are plenty of chances for great shots (and yes, never use the flash!!) I got some of my best shots of Primus and NiN in the safety zone in the bigger southern venues--Atlanta, Charlotte and Columbia--but they also allowed us back stage so we got some crazy stuff there (just a matter of being nice and treating the staff with respect (duh!) and they will almost always do the same for you. I did Offspring at the music Farm in Charleston--the best thing about a smaller venue like that (and a very relaxed band) is that they actually allowed me to stay onstage (corner) with the band and take the shots. Places that held the Lollapallozas'' pretty much wanted your soul before letting you in with anything, but with your press pass you were able to go backstage, do your interviews and get some shots from the wings. Interestingly and conversely, most of the clubs I went to in NY (back then!) couldn''t care less if you brought in a camera or not. Very laid back, especially the older clubs like CBGB''s and such. I guess my advice to you might be to actually get yourself bonafide! Go to one of your local, smaller more laid back ''zines and get them to "hire" you to photograph bands for interviews. Then you will have that press pass and if the ''zine in question has a good reputation with the music companies (which it would have to in order to even get the interviews in the first place) then you pretty much have access to anywhere you want to go! I did!:))
* This message has been edited by the author on 6/14/2002 3:36:23 PM. |
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06/14/2002 06:21:59 PM · #22 |
Jeru The Damaja
High ISO speed. 800 or 1600. |
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08/28/2004 01:09:25 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by irae:
I'd get in contact with the band in advance, if possible, and see about getting on their 'list'. They'd probably be willing, especially if you gave them a CD afterwards (local bands, anyway). You could also contact mgmt at the club, although you'd need some kind of angle I think.
Barring anything set up in advance - baffle 'em with BS. Attach every conceivable accessory you own to your camera - flash, teleadapter, lens hood, etc. Dress the part - all black works. Make yourself a 'press pass' with your name and contact info to show at the door. Behave as if, and you may just get your cover waived. Works for me all the time over here, but then I'm not from this planet and it shows.
Have fun! |
Do you have some guide lines for making a press pass? Is this illegal? Can I be thrown on my head by aurora police for this?
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08/28/2004 02:05:33 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by magnetic9999:
hey, if anyone reading this has done band photography, I'm looking for some good tips and hints.
Especially feedback on getting in the club with your camera, what wheels need to be greased, and how people react to you.
As well as tips on whether or not they let you use flash?
Thanks! |
nevermind... didn't realize how old this thread is... lol
Message edited by author 2004-08-28 14:06:54.
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08/28/2004 05:09:44 PM · #25 |
whoops, i didn't realize how old this was either.
Message edited by author 2004-08-28 17:10:34. |
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