Last week, I turned to Twitter to ask my fellow music photographers what advice they would give to new concert photographers. Here's are some of the best selections on advice for those new to photographing concerts and bands.
Great Tips & Advice for New Music Photographers
Here's my original tweet:
Music photographers, what's your best advice to new shooters ? Reply w/ your answer, I'll post the best tweets on http://t.co/s5pQbQ0g89
— Todd Owyoung (@toddowyoung) September 3, 2014
In no particular order, here are some of the best responses I received. (Don't see some critical advice? Add it in the comments at the end of this post!)
@toddowyoung Shoot as much and as often as u can, not just live music. There could be inspiration and a new perspective in anything u see
— Brendan Donahue (@BrendanDphoto) September 3, 2014
@toddowyoung Don't be put off by other photographers, if you have a pass you have as much right to be there as the person next to you.
— Stacey (@Stacey_mbu) September 3, 2014
@toddowyoung Dont shoot for what you think magazines editors want, shoot for yourself….the rest falls into place, at some point!
— Mark Salmon (@_marksalmon) September 4, 2014
@toddowyoung Have an understanding of the bands music, know when key solos, breaks, etc happen. It'll help capture great moments.
— Anthony Abu-Hanna (@anthonyabuhanna) September 3, 2014
@toddowyoung Quality over quantity. Think like an Editor
— Taso Hountas (@taso_hountas) September 3, 2014
@toddowyoung Embrace your surroundings. Capturing the moment around you can be just as rewarding as it is to capture those you're shooting.
— TaVon M. Jackson (@JodiKaoS) September 3, 2014
@toddowyoung What genre/niche/venue in your area lacks coverage? Shoot that instead of the bigger shows everyone else is shooting.
— Kyle Gustafson (@kgustafson) September 3, 2014
@toddowyoung Shoot the openers, bc you never know who might end up being the next big thing.
— Kwok (@LHKwok) September 3, 2014
@toddowyoung Try to befriend stage managers, roadies, security staff, and the like, they will let you work with much ease most of the time
— Rodrigo Morales (@Megapulse) March 16, 2014
@toddowyoung Your gear will take a beating. Find your peace with that early on. Remember is the image you are after.
— Garrin Ball (@garrinball) March 16, 2014
@toddowyoung Don't cut corners. Master your craft in small, dark clubs. Big venues are easy after that. Make friends with baby bands.
— Kyle Gustafson (@kgustafson) March 16, 2014
@toddowyoung Shoot as much as you can. Try covering as many types of music, venues, and lighting situations as possible.
— Sean O'Kane (@sokane1) March 14, 2014
@toddowyoung Don't let others take advantage of your work – get the experience needed but never give your work away for free
— Bryanna Punches (@BryPunchesPhoto) March 14, 2014
@toddowyoung Getting kicked in the head sucks. Always be aware of your peripherals so you & your gear stay safe when shooting from the crowd
— Renée Rorer (@reneerorer) March 14, 2014
@toddowyoung Professionalism above everything else, even in the little bars and nightclubs.
— Garrin Ball (@garrinball) March 14, 2014
@toddowyoung Learn how to shoot as manual as possible as soon as possible. Don't rely on photoshop to fix it, shoot it right
— Internal Arts Photo (@internal_arts) March 14, 2014
@toddowyoung You cannot rock if you cannot hear, earplugs!
— Yatin Dabhi ? (@YatinDabhi) March 14, 2014
@toddowyoung Another: Keep the security guys in your periph. If you see them moving fast towards a spot, assume a surfer is coming & move!
— Josh Hofer (@josh_hofer) March 14, 2014
@toddowyoung Learn how to compose a courteous yet concise email. It will payoff significantly
— BAKER (@John_Obert) March 14, 2014
@toddowyoung Know your gear like the back of your hand, in the dark. Seconds make the difference.
— Tim Bottchen (@Beeslo) March 15, 2014
@toddowyoung “Don't forget the drummer. Photographers always forget the drummer.”
— Todd Owyoung (@toddowyoung) September 3, 2014
To see the complete list of responses, check out my original tweets asking for advice here:
- https://twitter.com/toddowyoung/status/444578845547823104
- https://twitter.com/toddowyoung/status/507239190283943936
- https://twitter.com/toddowyoung/status/445297268712042496
Anything to add? Give us your advice in the comments section!
