Anatomy of a Concert photography Shoot

A post by: Matthias HombauerPIMG title=”concert-photography-Slash.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Concert photography Slash” src=”http://www.photo-natural.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wpid-concert-photography-Slash.jpg” width=”300″ height=”451″Slash of Guns N ‘ Roses/PPIn my last article 6 tips for novice photographers who I explained the basics (and camera settings) of how to begin your career as a photographer concert concert. I would like to say a big thank you for your great feedback and your continued comments on that post. It really means a lot to me and shows how many talented and hard working concert photographers out there./PPThis article is a follow up, and I will go into more details about the “Anatomy of a concert photography shoot”. Especially when you are new to concert photography, it can be overwhelming to stand in the picture put all alone with your camera. The location lights go out, the band performs the phase and you need only three numbers (an average of 10 minutes) to get your awesome shots. Frankly, in the beginning it was also scary for me, but trust me, after you have shot some concerts that you feel much more comfortable in front of the stage and you’ll learn to know your camera settings through the heart./PPOne of the points that are often undervalued is the fact that there is a band from different persons. It is tempting to only shoot the singer (the most important person), but this would only be one out the whole band. There is also a guitarist, drummer, bassist and extra musicians that are worth a look. Hence, it is more difficult to photograph the other band members, but you should definitely try to catch anyone on the stage./PPLet s break it recommended:/PPThis guy is the one whose name is often linked to the name of the bands such as Iggy Pop, Morrissey, David Bowie, Neil Young or Leonard Cohen./PPThey are the celebrities and shown on every VIP party and on TV. So, to photograph this person is a must have. From a concert photographers perspective this is the easiest member to photograph. They are always at the front of the stage and get the best lighting. I always focused on the singer first and as soon as I have some great shots, I will follow up at the other band members./PIMG title=”concert-photography-Iggy-Pop.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Concert photography Iggy Pop” src=”http://www.photo-natural.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wpid-concert-photography-Iggy-Pop.jpg” width=”600″ height=”401″Iggy PopPPGuitarist and bass player on the next comment I. Both are on one side of the stage, behind the singer or at the same level. I’ve shot concerts where the bassist stood in total darkness, so I recommended won t have a chance (even with a full frame sensor DSLR, f/1.4 lens and ISO 6400) to get a decent image. These are the hard times of a concert photographer and you just have to accept the sometimes. However guitarists and bassists provide great photos if you catch them pose, for example, when playing a solo or jump around./PP(See picture below of the flea of the Red Hot Chile Peppers and Slash of Guns N ‘ Roses top of the article)/PPIMG title=”concert-photography-Flea-bass-player.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Concert photography Flea bass player” src=”http://www.photo-natural.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wpid-concert-photography-Flea-bass-player.jpg” width=”398″ height=”600″/PPThe drummer is the “heart” of the band and the pulse generator. A rock band without a drummer does not work, but photographers tend to ignore them in their photos. The drummer is also the one who you awesome action shots get when you catch them in the right time. However, these guys are almost always in the back of the stage and that’s why you need a telephoto lens and the 70-200 mm to capturing his presence. On larger venues (such as festivals) it can happen that the drummer is so far away, it is not always possible to reach him with your basic lens kit. But try your best, and your efforts will be rewarded./PIMG title=”concert-photography-drummer.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Concert photography drummer” src=”http://www.photo-natural.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wpid-concert-photography-drummer.jpg” width=”398″ height=”600″Chad Smith, Red Hot Chile Peppers/PPAlso try to get a picture of the whole band. Your best bet is to use an ultra wide angle lens as a 14 mm lens. This will allow you to the whole stage in a single image. If you are allowed to shoot the full show (you must first ask the band), try to other such positions from a balcony, from the back of the venue, or on stage./PIMG title=”concert-photography-band.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Concert photography band” src=”http://www.photo-natural.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wpid-concert-photography-band.jpg” width=”600″ height=”429″FinkPPIn addition, you can also pictures of the public. Just turn around in the photo pit and you are faced with the screaming fans squeezed into the first row. This is a tricky one, because there is lack of there lighting and you a ultra-wide angle lens should catch some good action shots. Try to catch them when they are ecstatic about the band./PPIMG title=”concert-photography-Audience.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”Concert photography Audience” src=”http://www.photo-natural.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/wpid-concert-photography-Audience.jpg” width=”600″ height=”399″/PI always try the musicians with their instruments. So when I shoot, I make the singer to record from the microphone. When the guitar shoot the guitarist, get in the shot and the drummer should show his drum sticks, otherwise it looks strange when someone sits behind a huge drum kit, but you can’t really see him play.In general I try to get my photos in a way that I don t chop from recommended guitar neck, bass bodies or keyboards. For a close shot of the drummer you want to crop the drumset. That is try fine, just to get a clear wording.Shooting famous bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Red Hot Chile Peppers, they always for good lighting on stage. It becomes more difficult in small clubs where you are facing poor lighting conditions.Try to get some details to get shots. Shoes, tattoos, fancy stage outfits such as lamps, visuals or flags. Some bands can be very creative.Get to know your gear by heart first (camera bodies, lenses) Although the singer is the celebrity of the band, trying to get the other band membersFor the drummer, you often use a tele lens should Show the context in your photos, for example, the singer with a microphone, drummer with drum sticks, etc.Frame your photos to avoid cropping off the instrumentsGet photos of the band, audience and details on the more famous band, the stageThe better lighting in the work area (rule of thumb)IMG class=”avatar avatar-78 photo” alt=”” src=”http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/533045ca003ade5811ca853220beda1e?s=78d=blankr=G” width=”78″ height=”78″ PMatthias Hombauer is a self-taught music photographer. He has a Ph.d. in molecular biology, but has quickly realized that he wanted to combine his two passions, music and photography, instead. Currently, Matthias based in Vienna/Austria and works for national and international music magazines as well as record labels and bands to the great moments during a rock stage performance. Check out his website for his music photography, and how do you become a Rockstar photographer/P
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