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I think there's room to get paid from concert photography, but you just have to shoot the over-privileged locals or cover bands who make money. Even semi-successful touring bands are barely covering their expenses, most bands lose money on tour. I always saw shooting concerts as a way of marketing yourself. In a decent scene you'll get known pretty quick if you're any good, eventually people will approach you for different types of photography. If you can network well and drive traffic to your site with shows so people can see your other work, then it makes a good stepping stone. Free concerts/beer/merch is a pretty good bonus, and every now and then someone will slip you some cash.
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Nov 24, 2010 19:27
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AtomicManiac posted:I think there's room to get paid from concert photography, but you just have to shoot the over-privileged locals or cover bands who make money. Even semi-successful touring bands are barely covering their expenses, most bands lose money on tour.
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Nov 25, 2010 01:15
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teethgrinder posted:I thought the whole point of touring was that it was the only way they could make money, besides for the love of it. (Assuming you're not U2 or Justin Bieber.) Touring usually "just pays the bills" unless you are in the top 10 or 20 tours in the world. Most of the money artists make is from selling music/merchandise.
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Nov 25, 2010 02:55
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teethgrinder posted:I thought the whole point of touring was that it was the only way they could make money, besides for the love of it. (Assuming you're not U2 or Justin Bieber.) It can be. Its not like going to work, some nights no one shows up, some nights the van breaks down. There's a lot of uncertainty, and a majority of bands aren't making money. The type of bands that do make money will never pay you because there's tons of people out there shooting them for free. *With the exception of bar bands and cover bands. My drummer plays in a "Bar rock" band. At their last show they made $700 playing a hotel casino. If you want money shooting concerts, that's where you should start looking. I've been thinking about hooking up with a cover band/bar band and becoming their official photog for a certain fee every night, but I'd probably hate myself less if I just got a part-time job bar tending or something.
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Nov 25, 2010 03:18
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The band that I regularly take gig photos for just won an opportunity to open for Bon Jovi when they play in Melbourne. I've asked them nicely to see if they can hook me up with a media pass :]
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Nov 26, 2010 09:45
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Shooting my first not-for-friends gig tomorrow, took photos there once before using a hotshoe flash mounted on my camera (no other choice, the back room is lit by christmas lights!) but some of the shots, especially of the drummer, lack 'punch'. My technique was to bounce the flash off the ceiling and overall the results were good but not great, so my question is it worth me getting a softbox or reflector card for the gig? Basically I will be typically shooting from 1-2m with the kit lens, can't really use my 50mm because this is quite a small venue and people get in the way 
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Nov 26, 2010 18:23
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A Wizard posted:Shooting my first not-for-friends gig tomorrow, took photos there once before using a hotshoe flash mounted on my camera (no other choice, the back room is lit by christmas lights!) but some of the shots, especially of the drummer, lack 'punch'. My technique was to bounce the flash off the ceiling and overall the results were good but not great, so my question is it worth me getting a softbox or reflector card for the gig? Get an omni-bounce/stoufen/whatever they call it. It's a little plastic cube looking thing that goes over your flash head. They sell off-brand ones for under $10. When you start using it you'll wonder why they don't just come with the flash.
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Nov 27, 2010 19:28
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Cuff the Duke at the "Legendary Horseshoe Tavern." They're honestly an incredible alt. country band in the vein of Blue Rodeo for the cannucks out there. Nevermind the lead singer looks like the illegitimate offspring of Rivers Cuomo and Johnny Cash, they were incredible and I don't even like that kind of music. Their myspace. I over compensated for the last time I shot at this venue and shot with a 1/20 second shutter for most of the show.  Hence the occasional resorting to black & white.      The venue was packed further than I've ever seen it, I can't believe I made it to the third row. There certainly wasn't any opportunity for moving around for different angles. The rest of the set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markosaar/sets/72157625481846586/
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Nov 28, 2010 23:26
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You Am I, one of the best Australian bands you've never heard of. Which is a drat shame..jpg) .jpg) .jpg) .jpg) .jpg)
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Nov 30, 2010 02:15
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I, Butthole posted:You Am I, one of the best Australian bands you've never heard of. Which is a drat shame. These are awesome.
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Nov 30, 2010 03:13
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AtomicManiac posted:Get an omni-bounce/stoufen/whatever they call it. It's a little plastic cube looking thing that goes over your flash head. They sell off-brand ones for under $10. When you start using it you'll wonder why they don't just come with the flash. I didn't get time to read this before work but thanks Had such a mare with the autofocus so I ended up throwing a couple of awesome shots away because they juts weren't sharp at all. There was a guy with a video camera with a torch on so I followed his light to get my shots focused which was kinda difficult because he was off his face and spent half the night at the bar. That loving Tank Live @ The Croft, Bristol  The Hysterical Injury @ The Croft, Bristol
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Nov 30, 2010 14:29
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Shot Dirty Church Revival and a badass funk band called Orgone a few weeks back. The kicked massive rear end. Dirty Church Revival     Orgone     
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Nov 30, 2010 23:45
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ZoCrowes posted:These are awesome. Thanks dude! Shot the Aquabats VS Reel Big Fish show last night; holy poo poo it was good. The Aquabats opened, but they were so much more fun to shoot than RBF. Both played awesome sets though. .jpg) .jpg) .jpg)
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Dec 3, 2010 01:05
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Cyberbob posted:The band that I regularly take gig photos for just won an opportunity to open for Bon Jovi when they play in Melbourne. They've just confirmed a back stage working pass for me, so I won't get kicked off after 3 songs either. *pressure* Hope 200mm is long enough for it.
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Dec 3, 2010 03:43
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 The Black Keys  Chevelle  Switchfoot It was a pretty good night.
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Dec 4, 2010 06:20
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Eeek posted:
He looks like Baby's First Cobain or something
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Dec 4, 2010 06:41
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Eeek posted:
Were these taken at the Buzz Bakesale this weekend by any chance? I know both Switchfoot and Chevelle played, but wasn't sure about The Black Keys. The shot of the drummer is great. It's so rare I can get a really clear shot of the drummer for a photo like that. I'm at best a hobbyist photographer who has some friends in bands. I have the DSLR for work, but I wouldn't call myself a professional. This year my job sent me to the warped tour to get some photos of the fans, but I snagged a photo pass. It was the usual 3 songs, with tons of photographers in the pit. Unfortunately, I don't have much in the way of gear and just took my kit lenses (I've since invested in a prime lens), so most of my shots sucked. But I got a few. Hey Monday   The Pretty Reckless  I'm still learning how to control light, especially in the dark venues my friends frequent. I tend to either wash them out or the image is totally dark.  
flyable fucked around with this message at 07:42 on Dec 6, 2010 |
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Dec 6, 2010 07:35
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Controlling light is pretty simple in theory, of course it takes practice. Basically: Shutter speed controls ambient light power. Aperture controls the flash power. Flash control obviously also controls the flash power. ISO controls both Ambient and Flash light equally. For the general "dark" concert I usually go somewhere around 1/10-1/30 at f/2.8 with a 430exII at around 1/16th power (Set to 45 degrees with an omni-bounce) The flash should freeze your subject (depending on the distance), if not, you can lower your aperture, raise the ISO or turn up your flash. I always make turning up the flash the last possible option. Its better to have grainy pictures than to turn up your flash and be an rear end in a top hat to people you don't know.
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Dec 6, 2010 09:15
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Yeah, I have so few opportunities to practice in such low lighting. Of course that's my own fault. I'm fairly new to photography and am just now starting to invest in an actual flash and better lenses, so I hope that will make things a little easier on me. Granted, I know gear does not make the photo, but most of those photos were taken with my Canon T1i, standard kit lens and the flash on the camera. I'm thinking a prime lens and better flash will make my life a little easier.
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Dec 6, 2010 12:06
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No, this was a concert in Jacksonville, Florida called 'The Big Ticket.' It was put on by a local radio station. The Black Keys, Chevelle, Switchfoot, Anberlin, A Day to Remember, Against Me!, Dirty Heads, Jukebox the Ghost, Paper Tongues, New Politics and SUNBEARS! all played. But I missed half of them due to it starting so early on a work day and missed the other half taking promo shots for the venue. The drummer was probably the most expressive I have ever seen. Not to mention he was very close to the pit.
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Dec 6, 2010 12:12
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Eeek posted:No, this was a concert in Jacksonville, Florida called 'The Big Ticket.' It was put on by a local radio station. The Black Keys, Chevelle, Switchfoot, Anberlin, A Day to Remember, Against Me!, Dirty Heads, Jukebox the Ghost, Paper Tongues, New Politics and SUNBEARS! all played. But I missed half of them due to it starting so early on a work day and missed the other half taking promo shots for the venue. Nice! I know the guys from Jukebox the Ghost. I have shot them a few times here and there. Have you heard their new album? It is awesome!
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Dec 6, 2010 18:43
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Eeek posted:No, this was a concert in Jacksonville, Florida called 'The Big Ticket.' It was put on by a local radio station. The Black Keys, Chevelle, Switchfoot, Anberlin, A Day to Remember, Against Me!, Dirty Heads, Jukebox the Ghost, Paper Tongues, New Politics and SUNBEARS! all played. But I missed half of them due to it starting so early on a work day and missed the other half taking promo shots for the venue. Interesting! Chevelle, Switchfoot, Anberlin, A Day To Remember, Dirty Heads and maybe a few other of those were in So. Fla yesterday for a very similar music fest also put on by a local radio. I had another event to work, so I didn't go. But those are some really nice shots. I also imagine that with that sort of music, the pits are probably much more intense. I had enough trouble with Warped Tour where there's a few obviously hired-by-the-band/tour photographers, some pro photographers and a gaggle of girls who have p&s cameras or DSLR and somehow got press passes. I don't know how I'd fare in a more intense pit with fans flying around.
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Dec 6, 2010 21:28
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One year ago today, I met and shook the hand of Mr Jarvis Cocker. Here is a photo I took back in 2006 to celebrate this great day.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=monyiOsoKxg
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Dec 7, 2010 10:15
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One of the members of a band I saw on the weekend who was also the concert organizer found my Flickr page and sent me an e-mail asking if I could send her some more pictures from the show that I hadn't put up. She says she just wants to see more because a lot went into planning that night, etc... I don't particularly care about getting paid for the pictures, especially since I wasn't planning to when I took them (she did say she'd send some merch and promo-posters my way for the trouble and I'm cool with that). I do however want to make sure that my images remain as they are and that I receive credit for them if they're put up somewhere, what's the best way to go about this?
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Dec 8, 2010 01:18
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aliencowboy posted:I do however want to make sure that my images remain as they are and that I receive credit for them if they're put up somewhere, what's the best way to go about this? Tell her what you told us. Except for the not caring about getting paid part. You're not asking for anything unreasonable.
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Dec 8, 2010 01:38
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Watermark the shot with a small (Photo by: *name*) and tell her she can use them as long as she doesn't alter them. Most people are fine with those terms as long as you're up front with it.
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Dec 8, 2010 01:45
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aliencowboy posted:I do however want to make sure that my images remain as they are and that I receive credit for them if they're put up somewhere, what's the best way to go about this? I work for a small paper and do a lot of photography from community events, and people always ask for photos e-mailed to them. We don't charge them - I'm not sure why really. I usually send them a small, low-res version that could be used on Facebook or printed for a 4x6 easily, but not good enough for printing in a magazine/paper. Then I just include a bit about "If you'd like to use this photo on Facebook or elsewhere online, please just credit (name) at (paper). The photo just can't be distributed or republished without permission." You could try something like that, or add a small watermark.
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Dec 8, 2010 01:54
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Cyberbob fucked around with this message at 01:09 on Dec 12, 2010 |
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Dec 12, 2010 01:06
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Roger Waters performs The Wall in Vancouver                          
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Dec 14, 2010 08:17
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Well I just had a trying concert shoot. First I forgot my memory cards and was only saved by the fact that I had one of my backups in a coat pocket somehow. Then later on someone came flying out of the mosh pit and knocked the flash off of my camera and broke the foot so I had to shoot fast primes for the rest of the show and couldn't catch any fast action because of the low light and all the photos after that had to be shot at 3200.
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Dec 18, 2010 11:23
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With a speedlight, how would one go about treating concert photography more as action-portraiture over event photography? I always see concert photos with the flash filling the room, freezing everyone, and while I suppose it's functional, it does nothing for me. Can off camera flash be used much more subtly to accent the lighting on a particular subject? Can this be achieved non-intrusively to the band/audience?
burzum karaoke fucked around with this message at 01:33 on Dec 19, 2010 |
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Dec 18, 2010 20:14
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Rely on random spotlights 
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Dec 18, 2010 20:19
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aliencowboy posted:With a speedlight, how would one go about treating concert photography more as action-portraiture over event photography? I always see concert photos with the flash filling the room, freezing everyone, and while I suppose it's fnctionaly, it does nothing for me. Can off camera flash be used much more subtly to accent the lighting on a particular subject? Can this be achieved non-intrusively to the band/audience? When I use flash, I usually run at 1600 at wide open aperture and as low a shutter speed as possible so that I can get get as much ambient light as I can while still being able to get a clear photo. I gel the flash so it matches the stage lighting and run it at -1 stop. That way it's a much more subtle effect than just blasting light plus it means the flash is far less intense to look at. Often times I've run this way and the musicians weren't even aware I was using flash because from their view it was way outshone by the stage lighting beaming into their eyes. Using a modifier like a flash bouncer helps to soften the light as well so that it appears more like ambient as opposed to hard light.
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Dec 18, 2010 20:40
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I actually really like hard light so long as it's directional for the strong cast shadows, it's the ambient light that I want to avoid to be perfectly honest.
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Dec 19, 2010 00:26
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aliencowboy posted:With a speedlight, how would one go about treating concert photography more as action-portraiture over event photography? I always see concert photos with the flash filling the room, freezing everyone, and while I suppose it's fnctionaly, it does nothing for me. Can off camera flash be used much more subtly to accent the lighting on a particular subject? Can this be achieved non-intrusively to the band/audience? Depending on the venue, and the band, you may be able to mount a trigger'd flash somewhere discreet. Failing that, random spotlights/strobe lights are your friend: 
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Dec 19, 2010 00:42
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 Ty Segall @ The End by LanceCo, on Flickr This was a couple months ago, but I've been going through recent sets and marking new favorites as portfolio material. I'd say I timed this one pretty well (or, rather, got incredibly lucky  ).
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Dec 24, 2010 18:18
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Just saw Marina and The Diamonds:  She's a pretty amazing performer. No photo pass/pit, so I just had to politely make my way through the crowd and shoot from where ever I could. psylent fucked around with this message at 15:27 on Dec 30, 2010 |
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Dec 30, 2010 15:21
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Got to finally shoot a concert with my new 7D, along with my 10-24mm and Cybersyncs.   In general I like the distortion the 10mm gives (though sometimes its a bit much), but now that I see what it could look like, I REALLY want a full frame camera, so I could shoot this same kind of stuff at a focal length that doesn't distort. Maybe next year 
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Dec 30, 2010 18:36
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AtomicManiac posted:In general I like the distortion the 10mm gives (though sometimes its a bit much), but now that I see what it could look like, I REALLY want a full frame camera, so I could shoot this same kind of stuff at a focal length that doesn't distort. Maybe next year 14mm on full frame is still pretty distorty. Ultra wides work best when you fill the frame with your subject, which you're not really doing. Were you intentionally going for light smear like that? Why were you shooting at such slow speeds?
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Dec 30, 2010 18:54
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Yea, I've always used light trails for heavier bands, I feel like sometimes static shots at higher speeds don't give off the same energy. In addition, I like the way slower shutter speeds let in a lot of ambient light, its a neat look that kind of separates it from the typical concert shot, both professional and amateur. And yea for a full-frame I'd probably use like 24mm. Someday I want to simplify my rig down to just a 5D and a 24-70 2.8L, a handful of flashes and triggers and then just rent everything else. Though that's probably at least a year off.
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Dec 30, 2010 20:18
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