Concert photografy

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Permalink Reply by Tremello on October 23, 2008 at 7:04am

Shutter speed is a major priority here! Tripods are great, but if the band is too active you're better off keeping your camera in hand. Capturing the right lighting can be very frustrating, especially if the band has a good lighting set up. Strobes can be your worst enemy. I recommend getting shots from several angles. Go to each side of the stage. Staying in one spot doesn't allow for much variation.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Needham on November 8, 2008 at 10:16pm

Fast lenses help low light shooting. The zoom lenses that come with many DSLRs have a max aperture of f/4-5.6, and aren't well suited for hand held, low light photography. I like a f/2.8 zoom or prime lens (fixed focal length lens). Prime lenses are usually a stop or more faster than the fastest zooms, and many are a fraction of the cost of an f/2.8 zoom. Canon's 50mm f/1.8 goes for about $80 new, and most other brands have something similar.

Lenses and bodies with image stabilization would help.

I think I get better quality, and can push the limits of high ISOs farther in the processing by shooting raw rather than jpeg.

It may depend on the camera you have, but don't be afraid of high ISOs like 1600+. I'm only familiar with Canon, but I think my DSLRs do an amazing job at high ISOs. Besides, noise and grain work with the subject of live music. If you capture the emotion and good light no one will care if the photo has some noise.

Gourmet Mushroom X at The Replay Lounge 12/07
Canon 5D w/ 50mm f/1.4

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Permalink Reply by Ben on November 10, 2008 at 3:57am

Hi Matt,

Thanks for your reply.
Because I am a starter I only have a standard kit lens with my camara. I have image syabilisation thou.
But it is hard to get any good shots without a fast lens.
So buying a fast lens will be my next step.

Thanks for your comment..

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Permalink Reply by Roger on December 3, 2008 at 10:41am

You have to have a fast lens. I do this all the time and the key pieces are fast fast fast :) That helps right? Alot also depends on how close you are. If you have access to be at the stage a shorter lens will help you out because you won't require such a fast shutter. So I recommend on using the fastest glass you can and always shoot on RAW. RAW will help you out greatly in low light.

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Permalink Reply by Todd Beltz on December 10, 2008 at 4:06pm

In my opinion, the best lens to use for concerts is one of the fastest around...Canon 85mm f1.2L. It's a beautiful lens and is very sharp, even when shooting at 1.2. If you're a Canon user, try and get one of these lens. A few negative drawbacks is the cost of the lens, the weight, and it's a prime so limited in how much you can get in the frame. Most of my concert shots, were shot on the 85mm. Good luck..

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