Advice on taking photos at concerts

quickbeam

Last weekend I took some photos of a concert, and they didn't turn out too well. I've had this problem before and need advise as to settings I should be using.

I have a fairly basic Pentex digital camera (can give model number if that will help). It does have a number of functions but I don't really know the ins and outs of what to use and when.

The only experimentation I did was flash or no flash. When I used flash the photos came out quite dark. When I didn't use flash, they were bright but blurry. I was eight rows back, so not too far from the stage, and later I managed to get up front, but if anything the close-ups were even more blurry.

Most photos were taken with zoom function on.

With more concerts coming up I'd love to get really good quality. Advice muchly appreciated

melekalikimaka

humm, you sound just like me when i started gigs,

first off, find the MANUAL setting

shutter no higher than 1/15th, the longer the shutter the more colour basically BUT more blur.

Flash can be ok for shots when its very dark but dont turn out great. apature(if setting available shout be at as low a number as possible.

try get the instument all in the picture and the whole musican(dont forget the feet) in general these are better looking than half a musician.

http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/concerts.asp

alot is geared towards slr stuff so i dunno if it will help. post a few expamples and people can advise you better.

Dundhoone

Flash is useless to you unless you are very close to the band. If you are not using flash then you will need to brace the camera against something or use a tripod, basically you'll have a slow shutter speed so any movement of the camera will cause the dreaded blur.

quickbeam

Okay, I'm not sure how to change shutter speed, but I can look that up in the manual. Thanks.

I'm not looking for anything artistic. Just something to remember the day by where you can actually see the performers.

I'm glad flash isn't recommended. I don't like using it because it usually distracts the performers too, and if photos aren't strictly allowed, the stewards become more aware of you if they see flashes in your direction.

(Edit - photo attached)

melekalikimaka

ya can see the movement of the camera with the lights. it looks almost like theres no focusing going on. theres a nice bit of light in there, so i guess ya'd need to eithere see if the focusing is the issue or bring the shutter down big time, where was this taken?

digitalbeginner

Try these points

- Set the ISO as high possible. Some cameras only go to 400, but go higher if you can (this might make the shot more grainy, but that's better than a blurred shot)

- Make sure the flash is turned off (flash only travels 12-15 feet on the small compact cameras anyway)

- If Auto is too dark try using the Night Landscape Scene Setting, to keep the shutter open a little longer (the symbol with a star or moon, possibly with a building on it as well)

- Keep the camera close to your body to minimise camera shake

- Gently squeeze the shutter button to minimise shake

- Try not to zoom in too close as this will increase camera shake (enlarge on the computer later)

- Set the White Balance to "Indoor" or "Incandescent" to counteract the yellow light that spotlights give out

http://www.digitalbeginners.ie

digitalbeginner

Hi quickbeam,

Have a look at the string "Emergenza Germany Finals - C&C Welcome", you'll see 3 great gig shots and the technical details on how they were taken.