The Best Music Photography Tips

Todd Owyoung·
Get Started in Music PhotographyPhotography Tutorials
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Metalcore band Underoath performing at Pop's in Sauget, IL on November 2, 2008. (Todd Owyoung/© Todd Owyoung)

Last month, I posted 6 Tips Every New Music Photographer Should Know. These basic tips and pieces of advice were geared more toward getting into live music photography in general and dispelling some myths about what it takes to be a music photographer.

Since we're kicking off a new year, I'd like to change the angle and open up the discussion. I want you to post your tips for new music photographers.

Your Best Live Music Photography Tips

I double-dog dare you to share your own tips and advice for photographing live music.

For all the older and wiser music photographers, here's your chance to drop some knowledge on everyone's heads.

For everyone learning, soak it up!

Previous ArticlePhotos: Kandi @ The Fox
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Todd Owyoung

Todd Owyoung is an internationally published music photographer based in New York City. He specializes in music lifestyle, concert, and celebrity portraits. He is proud to be a Nikon Ambassador for Nikon USA.

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123 Responses

  2. Without any order, just a couple of tips:
    1. Know the show. Go for it twice if you can.
    2. Arrive early, get to know the people and the technicians.
    3. Ear plugs. Always.
    4. The camera does not matter.
    5. But if you can get a friend to loan his and work with two bodies.
    6. Try not to change lenses during any song.
    7. The firs thing you do when arriving home must be doing backups.
    8. Do not rush yourself with picking the photos. Take the rest of the day free about it.
    9. But do not slack sending the group the pictures.
    10. Know your camera, understand why and how it works.
    11. Get the feeling of your autofocus system. It is shameful to have a «great» shot mis-focused. And this is truly important for long prime lenses.
    12. Go dressed accordingly with the show but casual enough to not be easily disguised.

    Reply

    1. Sorry but what’s #12 all about? Never have I been in the pit shooting the Scissor Sisters and thought “damn, I knew I should have worn those sparkly hot-pants”. Dressing accordingly, after all. :P

      I suspect you’re trying to say that you shouldn’t stick out. Frankly, any darker pieces of clothing is normally fine (I always wear a plain-black t-shirt and dark jeans ever since I found out that the venue I normally shoot at occasionally lets photographers shoot from on stage, as long as they’re not distracting anyone else in any way)

      Earplugs though. Definitely. I think it should be a legal requirement for all gig photogs to own and use earplugs.

      Lastly, one nobody’s mentioned. Always read the small print! If you get handed a contract at the show, read it, make sure you understand what it is/is not allowing you to do with your shots and if you don’t agree, try and get it changed to more mutually favourable terms. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to walk out empty handed (carded?)

      Reply

      1. The contract issue… two points.

        a) Even tho they should of course be respected, some are ridiculously restrictive. Don’t be too keen for a show. Saying no to contracts is fine (and might help you and your colleagues in the future). Not being allowed to include photos in your portfolio is not ok.

        b) Of course it depends on which show you’re shooting, but in many cases these contracts are forced on bands by the big labels. I’ve seen enough tour managers throwing the bunch of contracts away. They don’t care. Neither do most bands. In five years, no one has ever complained about using photos for a portfolio (or even media outlets) even tho the contract had said the opposite. Never.

        Reply
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  5. Do some research before you enter the pit:

    Never heard of the band? – Check if they have a homepage/myspace where you can listen to their music, listen to a few songs and build yourself an opinion of what type of genre they play.

    Look if there are any live show footage/pictures of them at the web, see how they behave on stage and plan what type of pictures you may be able to snap.

    Reply

    1. Great shot for a p&s – really impressed! (by the way, the link could use editing to remove the “)” at the end of it.) Correct link here:
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenrowsell/5195798722/in/set-72157625439137860/

      I was just at a show where the battery for my DSLR gave out and I did not have an extra on me. I had to use my p&s and a lot of imagination. i came away with some decent shots, but none were at this level. I didn’t even think of using sports mode, though of course that is an excellent suggestion; thanks to your tip, I will next time.

      Rebecca

      Reply

  8. 1. Focus, Focus Focus! Like the last gentlemen pointed out, make sure you are comfortable using your AF on your camera. If not, be adept at manual focusing. Low Light photography can be tough on your Camera’s AF. This is also important as fast lenses require (1.4, 1.8 primes) accurate pin-point focusing. if your shot is not focused, it will be almost worthless despite a great composition.

    3. As basic as this sounds…try and get the best exposures possible. In low light situations, high ISO’s will look a million times better if you can get a proper exposure on your shots. Trying to push a heavily underexposed image in post-production will look dramatically worse then if you had properly exposed (or came close) from the start. Having good light and technical fundamentals goes a long way.

    2. Time your shots. Ie- know the bands you are shooting as best you can, and anticipate movements. Listen to the music for buildups, song climaxes and dramatic endings. These are often the moments that make compelling images.

    4. Slow down, and compose. There’s nothing more time consuming then having to crop out all of your shots as to get rid of peripheral data that isn’t part of your “story”. You will become a better photographer, and save yourself oodles of time in post-processing.

    3. Shoot the “other stuff” like gear set-ups and breakdowns, set lists, sound checks, crowd moments, cables, guitars, sound/light guys etc. It’s all the moments combined that make an awesome show, so capture it. Make it interesting.

    4. Be polite. When starting off, there will be very few photography pits or photo passes. Make sure you understand that people pay and work hard for their standing positions. In other words, pack light (if possible), don’t force your way through, and be mindful of your flash if you are using one.

    5. Have a plan. I personally try to cover as many bases as possible with the amount of time per band allotted. Try getting a number of wide angles, portraits (of each band member), duo shots, and any other combo you can think of that tell a story. Don’t forget the drummer as Todd always says. Challenge yourself to think as if you were putting a balanced package or portfolio together for each band member. Trust me when I say that you can easily hurt someone’s feelings (bands have sensitive egos lol) by unintentionally excluding member(s) of a group in your shoot.

    6. Network. Have business cards handy and talk to people. Let the bands know what you are doing, and make connections! Talk to sound guys and lighting technicians. I can’t tell you how many cool people I have met this way, and how willing they are to work with you. You’ll get better gigs and make new friends. You can sometimes even have lighting guys make your life easier by them working with you. If you’ve ever had a red wash happy light guy, you know what I’m talking about.

    7. Push your limits. Go ahead and crank your ISO. Try a strange effect or technique. Bring extra speed lights and see if you can have some creative freedom (with permission of course). Try something new, and don’t worry about failing or a missed opportunity. Practice makes perfect.

    Hope those are handy! Happy new year.

    Reply

  9. Some that I’ve picked up.
    1-Know your camera.
    2-If there is more than one band playing, bring plenty of memory cards and spare battery.
    3- As everone else has mentioned, try and listen to the band before hand, and get a feel for their show.
    4- One thing I’ve found, If everyone is in the same spot getting the same shots, move a little bit and try something else (obviously sometimes space can be an issue).

    Reply

  10. I agree with the previous statement, get there early and introduce yourself to the security staff. Show respect as most photographers I have seen dont do this and it has paid off for me. Like Todd has said know how to conduct yourself. Dont dance or sing in the photo pit. Know your gear inside and out.

    Reply

    1. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    2. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    3. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    4. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    5. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    6. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    7. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    8. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    9. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    10. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    11. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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    12. RT @toddowyoung: So, you wanna be a concert photographer? The Best Music Photography Tips: https://ishootshows.com/2011/01/04/the-be…

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  12. 1. No one should ever shoot zoom lenses, but Canon’s 24-70 f2.8 might be a good reason to
    2. Shoot long lenses so you can get tight to the action, but don’t forget to shoot wide
    3. If the band is a band, shoot the whole band
    4. If the band is the backing band for a lead singer (i.e. Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earl) shoot them anyway, but the name on the marquee matters more than everybody else

    Reply

    1. #1 isn’t at all correct as most concert shooters use a fast zoom (or two, if they have two bodies). I’m not sure if you ever read Todd’s own posts but he routinely posts his gear used and 99.99% of the time, he’s using either a 14-24 2.8 or 24-70 2.8 zoom in addition to his 70-200 2.8 zoom. I don’t think I’ve read anything here where he solely uses a prime lens. The only concert shooters that I know of that only use primes are the ones that just can’t afford to get a fast zoom.

      Reply

      1. two of the photographers that are hired by Wilco shoot exclusively w/ primes (Charles Harris, and I am drawing a blank on the other guy’s name…sounds Eastern European).

        Reply

  13. > – aperture as high as possible (lowest number)

    Umm…no. Your focus is going to be so shallow that you’re going to wind up with far too many out of focus shots. One of my favourite gigs of this year was one I could shoot at 1600/f4.0 It was awesome.

    Shallow DOF is great, but it comes with tremendous risk.

    Reply

  15. Don’t focus on any one member. Give each band member some love. Sometimes the bassist can be the most active and result in the best shots. Drummers are the hardest, they’re constantly covered by their kit and usually poorly lit. Try shooting them strait on or maneuvering yourself at an angle that is friendly with their drum kit and you can actually see them.

    Reply

  16. 1. BE THERE EARLY- SHOOT DURING SOUDCHECK!
    It’s good to take some pictures- especially portraits and close-ups during the sound check, when you can be on the stage with the musicians.

    2. CHANGE SPOTS!
    Shoot from the stage, from the balcony, from the first row, then from another to include fans in your pictures etc…

    3. ENJOY CONCERT!
    Dont forget to calm down for a while and enjoy music.

    Reply

  18. 1. Shoot a small show of a local band if you’re just starting off. Get a feel for what lighting can be like and what you should be doing in response. I’d suggest sending a link to photos you’ve taken along with photo pass inquiries, and if you’re looking to work for a publication, these small show photos can work to your advantage instead of, say, senior portraits of your cousin.

    2. Network with other photographers shooting the show. 98% of the time, they’re extremely friendly and will be more than happy to give tips etc. Make some friends and some connections! It should go without saying, but don’t USE anybody.

    3. Whatever you have for gear, please try to keep storage slim and as…well, NOT BULKY as possible. If you’ve got a giant backpack on your back in the pit, you’re going to be blocking anybody from passing you, which is extremely irritating. I’d suggest a messenger bag of some sort. Timbuk2 in particular sells an insert for their messenger bags made for camera gear.

    Reply

  19. All of the above are great tips. I think I’d add to that list with my top tip being: to not be intimidated, by anyone. Mr Rock star on stage in front of you or the other photographers next to you, and don’t be frightened of failing.

    Reply

  20. 1.Be nice to everyone.you have a pass that lets you in extra special areas(most of the time) and you never know who is a band manager,recording artist,magazine editor. there everywhere at shows. NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK.

    2.Learn photo-pit ediqute, Do not put your camera above your head unless you make sure no one is behind you. If you need to get though give a little tap. say sorry if you bump someone.

    3.Do not be afraid. if the musician is up on the barrier, get up on the barrier. I got one of my favorite shots of anti-flag while standing on the barrier with them. You might get nut tapped,burned with a cig, or thrown to the ground by secuirty, but its worth it.

    4. Be alert. At punk,metal,pretty much any fest where there are teenagers and alcohal there is going to be stuff thrown. Make sure that you know whats flying towrds your head. Also be aware of musicians in the pit, they get into the music, and will not see you or your camera. if they hit you, do not be mad. I have had dillenger escape plans guitarist use my head as a steping stone back to the stage.

    5.Bring water to fests, ussually photogs are allowed to bring in bottled water. or secuirty simply doesnt check you.

    6.Have fun. Your there to work, remember this, but dont forget why your shooting music in the first place. if you dont have any fun at a show, theres really no point. Get into it! headbang with some kids, get the crowd pumped, if your having fun the crowd and the musicians will see that an react better to you taking there photo.

    Hope this helps!

    Reply

    1. #4!!!!!!

      Oh man, I wish I knew of #4 on my very first gig at Warped Tour. Had a mickey thrown towards me, and it hit me in the back of the head. Those hurt! Be aware!

      Reply
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    5. @toddowyoung … 1. support your local bands 2. focus on 1 by 1 objects 3. shot moments by the quality not quantity 4. no flash please

      Reply

    6. @toddowyoung man, your website is addictive. i left my advice on the article but i ended up reading a bunch more. thanks for the good stuff.

      Reply

          1. @DebiDelGrande @WeiNeverSleeps I feel as though all the music photographers in LA are like cousins. In a good way – not a hillbilly way.

          2. @toddowyoung @WeiNeverSleeps We do see each other alot and it makes for a better experience when we’re “cousins.”

          5. @toddowyoung @DebiDelGrande we’re like the babysitters club only photographers. jayy kay. i love the community of LA concert photogs tho. :)

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  41. I guess a bit more of a business/lifestyle tip than a technical one. Keep it in perspective. You’re taking photos of bands, not curing cancer. It’s insanely easy to let it go to your head a bit when you’re getting published and getting high-profile shows, and people are telling you how cool what you’re doing is. Stay humble and appreciate your opportunities. I wish I could go back in time a few years and tell myself that, haha.

    Reply

  42. Being relatively new to this (I’ve only shot 4 concerts with photo passes so far), I’m still finding my way. So far, what has and hasn’t worked for me:

    Going full manual doesn’t cut it for me. The lighting changes too often and is too unpredictable. This always leaves me with too many photos that are overexposed with blown out and unrecoverable highlights.

    So I shoot shutter priority mode. I want to try to get to at least 1/250th of a second (though that’s not always possible) to freeze movement and action. On the other hand, slowing down a little bit and introducing some blur, especially around the hands, can have a nice effect.

    This does often leave one with a very shallow depth of field, but I actually prefer that for close-up shots, or shots where I want the emphasis on one particular part of the shot. The answer is to not be afraid of manual focus. As a matter of fact, when it comes to getting shots of the drummer, manual focus is a must! Otherwise you end up with shots of beautifully clear drums and a fuzzy drummer.

    Last, I’ll often shoot in continuous mode, to help me catch that split second expression, that one moment when everything comes together for a really expressive shot.

    Reply

  43. Have a heart. I work as an event photographer for a few different publications/agencies so I meet alot of photographers out there, and most of them are all a-holes, so it’s VERY refreshing to meet a humble (with the same amount of talent) photographer out there this day & age. Especially in Los Angeles! Soul is something missing in artists these days, most of them are at it for the money & not the passion, so it’s nice to find some real people doing what they love to do, simply because of their passion to do so, without being driven monetarily…

    Reply

  44. Even if the artist is huge, don’t be afraid to request a pass just because they’re super big. I got Green Day, MCR and Ozzfest this past year! I almost didn’t ask because I figured unless I’m Bob Gruen, they don’t want to hear from me. False.

    To relieve pressure of shooting the show of your life, just remember “All I need is ONE good shot.” At the very least you’ll walk away with that much, no matter how crappy the lighting/subject.

    And as others have said don’t forget to have fun! Don’t worry if you feel like a geek singing and headbopping to the band. Everyone there is a geek. Even the band members. At least that’s what I tell myself! :O

    Reply

  45. 1. research the venue. is there a photo pit? is there usually a 3 song shooting limit? where are the parking facilities?

    2. arrive early. this is really important in case of traffic, parking or press list miscommunication. have the contact info or email confirmation from the publicist handy. another reason to arrive early may be a pet peeve of mine but i always get annoyed when a photographer shows up late at a venue (some fairly large venues in la don’t all have photo pits) and squeezes up to the very front– taking a fan’s space that probably waited much longer in line.

    3. be respectful and humble to everyone. you’re here to do a job and there are lots of fans that paid good money to see the band. be mindful of your surroundings as to not bump into anyone– including other photographers in the pit. make sure you don’t walk in front of someone else’s shot.

    4. watch videos of live shows and photos of previous concerts of the band. this will help you anticipate the lighting setup or how the musicians move or are positioned on stage.

    5. adhere to rules. avoid using flash because it’s usually not allowed plus it doesn’t always look the best anyway.

    6. bracket your shots whenever possible. if the lighting isn’t too dim, try using different f stops instead of opening wide up.

    7. don’t try to stand out– the concert is about the band and nobody likes a flashy photographer that draws attention away from the music. dress modestly and comfortably. wear comfortable shoes because it will be a long night of standing.

    8. shoot with autofocus set to “ai servo” for subjects that move around a lot (i don’t know if this is differently labeled on models other than canon). also, changing your af point selection to manual may help when shooting with a wide aperture. this helps me avoid a lot of out of focus shots when shooting at like f/1.8.

    9. lastly, learn to shoot with a film slr in your spare time. this will help you really think about the basics of photography, composition, and storytelling. plus, it’s fun. :3

    Reply
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  54. http://www.setlist.fm is your friend – if the band have played shows already on the tour, and they’re playing a consistent set, then you can YouTube those first three songs and see if there’s particular moments to watch out for, particularly with choreographed pop shows.

    Reply

  55. kinda silly, but shoot with both eyes open.

    That way, while taking one shot, you can see what’s about to come into view or happening elsewhere and you can prepare for that shot. Particularly helpful for things like one band member coming in to share the mic with the lead, or while you’re shooting the lead, you can see another member climbing up on a amp and getting read to jump, etc.

    Reply

  56. There are already so many great tips in here!!

    What I have learned over the past year (in no particular order) :

    1. Know your camera and how it works.

    2. Be as nice as possible to escorts/reps that assist you at the shows.

    3. Turn of the AF assist light!!

    4. Be courteous of those around you. Reaching your camera in front of others ore leaving over the stage isn’t very nice

    5. Switch lenses between songs.

    6. Know the venue. If there is no pit, get there early.

    7. Know the band and what you might expect at their shows.

    8. Start where you can. Shoot what you can to build your portfolio.

    9. Wear shoes!! (Thank you @Amateurchemist)

    10. Have fun!!!

    Reply

  57. don’t be afraid to be different – creative etc. Maybe this is more of a compositional detail – but, try to get shots in a way that is yours alone. Whilst I was a fan – I remember watching the pros in the pit – and one in particular that would hold their camera at all different angles, tilted etc…so being the didn’t know any better auto p/s shooter that I was at the time – I tried that too…now I have to remember to also shoot some straight shots, lol…

    all that is to say, it should not be the goal to get the “it” shots that every body else does – but to get shots that are different, unique, etc – basically develop/shoot with your own style – and edit/select in post, the same way.

    I met up with one of my editors the other day – and said – I shoot like I cook, by feel. I may not ever be the most technically perfect – but that’s ok. That does mean however, that one needs to know their gear, etc – like others have mentioned, well – so that that isn’t what you’re concentration is on – rather the capture…from your own unique perspective.

    Reply
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  66. Earplugs! Always bring them. Besides the obvious hearing damage, sometimes in front of the speaker is sometimes one of the few available shooting angles.

    Get to know your local venues. Once you know what to expect it is easier to choose what gear to bring, stake out the best spots, etc.

    Befriend the venue staff when possible. Security can make or break your shoot. If you can demonstrate you’re not a jerk in a genuine way they’ll give you more latitude.

    Wear a badge. Even if you have to make it yourself. Chances are at some point you’re going to have to step through people or may accidentally annoy someone. If they know you’re not just some random jerk this can only help you.

    Balls. Big ones. Sometimes you have to be a bit daring to get the shots. No one else is going to care whether you get good photographs or what you’re trying to accomplish. There is a fine line here, so use good judgment. I will never do anything I think is disrespectful to the band or get me blacklisted. I do however try to deliver consistently for my editors.

    Think about your style. When you’re first starting, you’re just trying to get reasonable exposures, but at some point you should try to evolve. For example, maybe sometimes you’ll intentionally want motion blur. Or maybe you prefer a straight documentary style. Why take the same pictures everyone else is taking?

    Speaking of everyone else, compare notes. Find other photographers pictures from the same shows you shoot. This can be a good way to learn.

    Gear matters. It matters much less than technique and composition, but when you’re shooting in low light good gear gives you more creative freedom. Don’t rush into expensive gear, find what is important to you and what is limiting you.

    Personally I shoot in manual, mostly with a 24-70 2.8. Having a zoom helps with composition when you can’t move. Wide open apertures on primes give you more light but less depth of field. Learn what all the tradeoffs are so you going make your own reasonable decisions.

    Renting Gear. Sometimes this can make sense. For example, I shot 24 bands over three days at a music festival, and rented a $2000+ zoom for less than $50.

    Have fun! Most importantly, keep things in perspective, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and enjoy the shows! Remember this is hard. Enjoy the journey.

    Reply
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  68. drummers are the hardest to shoot so i try to catch them at the sound check when i can get on stage and have better angles to work with if that is not possible depending on what you have to work with if there is a balcony you can be above and shoot down are there stairs on the side of the stage usally they are set back and can provide good angles looking from the back out to the crowd some small bands like a full view of the crowd so they can count the paid admissions to make sure they got paid correctly also good fitting ear plugs are a must

    Reply

  69. get a flickr accout dont use facebook because facebook destroys photos, next change the size of your photos because if its not the original size then no one can steal your work, last WATERMARK it to get your name out there

    TD DOES PHOTOGRAPHY
    seen in Impending Doom, Stray from the Path and Cowabunga!

    Reply

  71. 1 Know the band ! Know what the stage setup is like ! Where will the singer be, how many people will be on stage ?

    Try and go and see the band a few days in advance as a paying visitor, or look at pics or youtubevideos of the current tour.

    2 Be there in time ! If there is no frontstage, don’t expect paying visitors to let you get close to the stage.

    3 Don’t drink too much or you’ll have to go to the loo during the gig

    Reply

  72. Always be polite, remember, others have most likely paid to be at the front row etc so your expensive SLR with zoom lens is not going to go down too well if its constantly in someones face. Keep Moving! It can be a bit daunting at first in the pit, but try your best not to stay in one position. With this I mean on the same spot or from the same angle all the time. Be ready for the unexpected, anything happens at gigs and yes, things will be thrown, just be mindful of that. Respect other photographers, help them out, you are all in it together for the same reasons. Just remember, you are in the pit in the first place because you have a talent, use it well and don’t be disheartened if you don’t get the shots you require. Sooner or later, if you keep shooting gigs and concerts, your experience gained will prove beneficial and the good shots will become more frequent ;-) EAR PLUGS!!!!

    Reply

  73. 1. Learn your camera inside and out and know what those silly little settings like Aperture, ISO, etc are for. Seriously, I’ve seen too many people shooting shows in P “Professional” mode thinking it will get the job done.

    2. Shoot RAW period. Memory is cheap.

    3. Don’t be afraid to push your ISO higher to get the shot. Newer cameras handle this just fine.

    4. Shoot all the band members and yes drummers are a pain to shoot.

    5. Be aware of the audience behind you. Don’t give photographers a bad name by being a jerk and getting in the way. If you know you are going to be in their field of view at a tight venue, get the shot and crouch or get out of the way. Also don’t become part of the show by shooting on stage or running around being a distraction.

    6. Pull out your prime lenses. That 50mm 1.4/1.8 is tack sharp and will give you great shots in lower light situations.

    7. Don’t be a “Rock Star/Primadonna” photographer. Be respectful of other photographers while shooting. Share your thoughts with up and coming photographers when asked for technical advice. Your unique style will still give you an edge, but you’ll develop a good rapport with others this way.

    8. Learn the names of all the band members if there is a chance to get some backstage shots after the show. I find that band members are more relaxed and willing to comply with a photo request when you use their name.

    9. Dial in your exposure and shoot manual mode if at all possible.

    10. Manual focus in low light conditions saves a lot of frustration.

    11. Try to be where others photographers aren’t. If everyone is shooting in the same spot, if you can move away, do so. I love to shoot from the back of small to medium venues. While everyone else is getting the exact same shot, you can be the one capturing more unique images (See my Dokken shots for an example on my web link).

    12. If you must shoot .jpg, Auto White Balance. Seriously, you’re shooting RAW though, right?

    13. Clean your lenses before the show. Small specs of dust will reflect the light and it’s one less thing to fix in post.

    14. Own at least one good lens or rent one for the shows. Kit lenses will give you kit lens results.

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  74. Before every important concert or event you get hired to do. Always do your research. This means you get to know the band or artist ahead of time. If this isn’t possible then I strongly suggest looking them up online. I always do my best to know which type of lighting I will be working with for each event. Whether it’s daylight or stage light. This is an area I am barely starting out in so I don’t have much to contribute at the moment. But from my past experiences this has helped me out a great deal. Also the night before make a checklist of everything you’ll need. You don’t want to show up and your missing batteries for your strobe or tripod. It’s happen to me and if it happens to you learn to adapt quickly or carry extra equipment in your car.

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  75. Thanks for the concert photography tips. And thanks everyone for the awesome suggestions. My best music photography sessions have been in small venues where I know the artist, which is of course is not the norm. But I certainly get the most from those experiences.

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  76. My 2cents :-)
    (from a record-store clerk wannabe who happens to take concert shots)

    1. Shoot RAW
    2. Observe the lighting movement pattern (especially during chorus) and take shots when the light hits the band/artist/audience in an interesting way.
    3. Get photos of the band from the Internet, and try to take shots that are not the typical ones that have already been taken of the band
    4. Know the songs
    5. Shoot the audience, especially when the band interact with the audience
    6. Try fish eye lens, they’re fun
    7. Dont’s stuck in one spot,move around so your shots will varied and interesting from various angles
    9. Bring different type of lenses (fish eye Nikon 16mm, fast prime 85 f/1.4, tele 70-200 f/2.8, wide angle 14-24 f/2.8). Don’t have the lenses? Then,rent… bringing all these lenses are painful to your shoulders and back..but trust me,the pain is worth it :-)
    10. Don’t push the shutter like a maniac,instead: enjoy the songs, observe the band (how they behave with their instruments, behave to the audience, and how the band members interact w/ each other, identify the lighting pattern), and take the shots at the right and interesting moments.

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  78. Hi,

    I just recently tried shooting bands in bars. When I got home some of my photos seemed washed in the stage lighting (so to speak). I looked up an article online about led lighting. I am thinking the photos were overexposed which caused the color bleed? Could you provide some insight?

    Thanks,

    Angela

    Reply

  79. This is a list I did a while ago – sorry its long – but people seemed to like it – some repeats but also some new stuff. This is for the UK so not so much about the contract side.

    1.Always print off and take with you the e-mails you have received to arrange the show or the mobile number of the tour manager. The number of times you will arrive and the busy tour manager has forgotten to put you on the list will be annoyingly high. Just remember that the venue doesn’t give a hoot who takes pictures so as long as you can prove to them that the artist wants you there they will more likely than not let you in. (p.s. do not fake e-mails to sneak in to gigs – this will lead to a very uncomfortable experience hoping you won’t get caught)

    2.Get in position early. If there is a pit, get in there, find a home for your bag under the stage or against the barrier and leave it, stocking your person with all the kit you need.

    3.Use the soundcheck and support acts to judge best positions and camera settings. The second you get into the pit you should start snapping away to be ready for your three (most likely) songs. Yes the guy checking the guitar will be more static but he will also be more poorly lit so with experience you can judge the settings and really just play with the shutter speed during the shoot.

    4.Remember why you are there and shoot accordingly. If you are on specified assignment, focus on that alone. If you are just building a portfolio, think what sort of images work well through stock photography websites. Get a good mix of shots, all band members, full stage shot, a couple of talking shots, basically a bit of everything that is put on offer by the band. You have an endless supply of images, use them not to take hundreds of the same shot and pick out the best later, but to get evry aspect of the show.

    5.As important as it is to get images of the band, use the opportunity to also get some generic shots which can be sold on for other purposes – feet on pedals, hands on guitars, instruments, stages and the crowd. You have the time to do this during soundchecks so make the most of it, you are not just there for three songs but all the time waiting before so use it wisely.

    6.Get a picture of the setlist the second it is taped to the stage, as this is during setting up you can use flash and it means you have the record for other uses such as reviews. It also makes a nice picture, especially if it appears to be handwritten as it is probably one of the band who has written it.

    7.Said often, but also often missed – learn the song and band quickly. Listen to the music and watch the band intently for the first 30 second of each song and be ready for the repeat of good bits. Songs are repetitive, as are many performers so it relatively easy to know when something good is going to happen again if you missed it the first time. This also often counts for the lighting so be aware of well lit points in the song.

    8.If possible, have two cameras with you giving you option of wide angle and zoom in an instant rather than having to change lenses.

    9.Don’t be fooled into thinking that the only way to take live music shots is by setting the ISO to 1600. 1000 or even 800 will do if you have a fast enough lens – and the 50mm 1.8f is very affordable and perfect for concerts.

    10.Lighting in general is bad at live venues, but that is because the stage is the centre of attention and that is normally lit up pretty well. Yes sometimes that light may be red or blue, but it is still good light which allows fast shots to capture clear moments.

    11.Don’t get annoyed at other people getting in your way, they are just doing their jobs as well, particularly other photographers who are focusing on the stage as you are so a little jostling may happen now and again, get over it, it is not personal.

    12.Do get annoyed at too cool for school kids who dance around as they take rubbish photos. They also spend more time chatting to the crowd than preparing and it is all about fun and status for them. They are the blaggers and need to be stopped.

    13.Be prepared to show your balls. From being confident enough to get yourself in if need be, to getting position in the pit or even harder, in the crowd at smaller venues. Sometimes you have to barge your way through and irritate crazed fans to get your three songs, but be polite and make sure you move on after the three songs and you will get away with it.

    14.If you can get away with it, get a good position after the three songs and just be ready for the big moment later in the show. The moment the singer jumps into the crowd, everyone will be focused on them and as every other person with a camera will take a picture you can even sneak a flash in, which may be essential as the crowd are unlikely to have any light on them at all. Generally as long as you are not constantly taking shots, and as long as you are let into the main crowd with your camera, you can get some decent shots without annoying security.

    15.Security are your friends. Chat and joke with them (pick the right ones though, some are just miserable bullies) and they will keep out of your way. They, like you are there to work and there is a camaraderie of sorts which you need to manipulate. Just make sure you play by the rules and they will generally help you out, maybe even give you an extra song if no-one else is there to tell you to stop.

    16.When you have finished the show, don’t mess about. By the time you get home there have already been images and videos posted online and your potential audience is starting to move on to something else. Consider taking a picture on you phone during the soundcheck and tweeting it with the promise of more to come later, get it in your audiences’ mind that you are doing this and they would like to see it.

    17.Use Facebook, Twitter and Flickr to publicise widely and well. You have some amazing tools to showcase you work, learn them and use them effectively but efficiently – you cannot be a part of every new social network so focus on the big ones and ignore the rest.

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  80. 1) Know the songs and the band as best you can. I look up live video on You Tube. It pays to know the moves.
    2)Start off shooting local bands in bars, get to know the band. Baby bands are always grateful for good shots and if you get to know them you get good access, e.g. on stage, behind drummer shots. As bands get more successful they’ll take you along with them.
    3) Some photog’s are sniffy about a Facebook page, however, I ‘friend’ band members and road crew and tag them in pics (if you don’t want to make pics pubic adjust individual privacy settings). I have actually made some really good friends this way and there are some bands I get triple A/photo passes for because they are friends.
    4) Don’t forget the drummer!!! I make a point of taking pics of the drummer and they are always very grateful. Currently there are 7 drummers on Facebook using my shots as cover/profile pics.
    5) Learn to use Lightroom. There’ such a lot you can do in post production to make pictures great including getting interesting shots out of ‘broken’ pictures. You can rescue a lot of poor/red/saturated lighting simply with the WB slider!!
    6) Don’t forget the rule of thirds. And tiny bit of cropping can make no end of difference.
    7) Don’t doubt yourself. It’s easy to get disheartened when you look at other peoples amazing shots. Do your own thing. Develop your own style, mine is not always ‘technically’ perfect but I have a reputation for getting interesting shots in challenging conditions.

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  81. Burst mode. A lot of photogs and fauxtogs think burst mode is cheating, but it’s a split second between a blurry set of drumsticks and a moment in time, or those tiny little micro-expressions. Yeah, you might have a thousand photos to sift through, but you get better choice at the end.

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