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photos at gigs

  • 23-09-2005 3:08pm
    #1
    mark.e.smith
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭


    I've been asked by a friend of mine who's playing a gig soon to take some pictures of him and the band onstage...I'll be using a 35mm Olympus CM-10 and was just wondering if anybody has any advice (light/shutterspeed etc) for taking photographs in such settings as it will be my first time...

    cheers


Comments

  • #2
    DotOrg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭DotOrg


    use the highest useable iso settings, 800 or 1600 probably

    use the widest aperture available

    and a shutter speed of from 1/50th upwards

    flash can be used but it normally results in bland, unatmospheric shots

    have a read of my music photogarphy faq at www.aaaphotos.org/faq.htm as it may help a bit or have a browse through some of my live band shots at: http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=386666

    i regularly shoot in places like whelans, the sugar club, Voodoo lounge, dorrans and all have lighting conditions that mean with a camera like yours you'll either have to use flash which will ruin the stage atmosphere or cope with lots of very dark, blurry shots


  • #3
    mark.e.smith
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭mark.e.smith


    Thanks for the advice man...will definitely have a read of the faq.. i've actually seen a good bit of your work (gigsmart) and have to say some of the shots are stunning... actually when i was asked to take these photos (it will be in the voodoo) i actually thought to myself that if they're even half as good as yours then i'll be doing well...so back to the topic..will read up on it and see how it goes..as they say practice makes perfect..hopefully won't be my last 'assignment' anyway

    cheers


  • #4
    DotOrg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭DotOrg


    voodoo can be ok but you generally get one big spotlight on the singer and everyone else is very dark


  • #5
    GASUN
    Closed Accounts Posts: 93 ✭✭GASUN


    Mark E,

    Further to DOT ORG, you but you might consider discussing the light sequences with the sound engineer as there seems to be a few different 'atmospheric sequences' that are controlled from the sound desk that sometimes give a little light to left and right as well. One of the brighter sequences might suit your needs better. Possibly, do some with flash so as to 'get shots' and then try no flash as well. Shoot lots. Your friends in the band might even stand in good places on stage for you to help .......

    Good luck and post back on your experiences with a few shots if you like ... :)

    ENDA
    www.gasun.net
    Music Photography


  • #6
    mark.e.smith
    Closed Accounts Posts: 24 ✭mark.e.smith


    Thanks for the advice, only saw it now but useful all the same. I was a bit nervous at the start of their set, not wanting to go infront of the people near the stage but at the start of the third song i just went for it. Took a good few pictures...some with flash....some wiht none and i have to say the biggest thing i've learned form the experience is how bland the one's i used a flash on turned out..it's as if the sun was beating down on the object..not interesting at all..I'll know for the next time at least... Unfortunately, not having used a digital camera and not having the priveledge od owning a scanner i will be unable to post any shots up this time. Maybe next. Thinking of investing in some digital equipment in the near future anyway... never thought i would go digital but i can see the advantages now..


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  • #7
    donncha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47 ✭donncha


    Last time I saw the Nail Drivers play in the Old Oak, I used flash and long exposure to get detail and a sense of movement.
    First of all I took a reading off the stage in P mode, copied those settings to manual mode in my camera and flipped open the onboard-flash.
    Minor adjustments were made to the exposure settings as I went along.
    Here's a few examples:
    The Nail Drivers

    Fun Lovin' Criminals was another matter. You weren't allowed take photos although that didn't stop everyone raising their camera phones when Huey came on stage.. All but one of these shots is at the extreme end of the zoom on a Panasonic FZ5:
    Fun Lovin' Criminals

    Finally, at the Cobh Peoples Regatta they had an open-air gig.. Great fun, and I had my Canon 20D and 580EX Flash so I had very little problems with light when I used the two together. Zoomed in shots were with a 75-300mm IS lens.
    Cobh Peoples Regatta

    When you're shooting in bad conditions, and if you can't use the Flash, take as many shots as you can (especially if you shoot digital!), and set the controls to manual for a longer exposure. Practise keeping the camera steady too!


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