{"id":91210,"date":"2016-08-14T17:14:01","date_gmt":"2016-08-14T16:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amateurphotographer.co.uk\/?p=91210"},"modified":"2016-08-09T17:14:25","modified_gmt":"2016-08-09T16:14:25","slug":"bluffing-gig-shots-tips-great-concert-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/expert_advice\/bluffing-gig-shots-tips-great-concert-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"Bluffing gig shots: tips for great concert photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Robert\t\t\t

Focus on the performer’s face, and avoid photographing stage paraphernalia. Image by Geoff Harris<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

If you\u2019re into photography and music, the chance to shoot a live concert ticks two big boxes. Gig photography isn\u2019t easy, though, and even pros have to work under tough conditions. Often they can only stay in the photo pit for three songs, they can\u2019t use flash, and they are jostling with other photographers to get the best shot. Life\u2019s even harder for the poor punter stuck in the crowd. That said, it\u2019s not impossible to get reasonable gig shots without good access.<\/p>\n

When it comes to gear, pro-looking SLRs will often get confiscated by security, so you may be better off using a bridge compact or a CSC with a longer lens. They\u2019re smaller and more discreet.<\/p>\n

Here are some helpful tips.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. If you\u2019re taking a long lens, keep it separate from your camera body, or choose a smaller, retracting one. When shooting, work fast and be discreet \u2013 so don\u2019t overshoot. If you\u2019re challenged by security, stay polite; they can\u2019t force you to delete images.<\/li>\n
  2. Flash is pointless back in the crowd, so you need to use a long, fast lens with a wide aperture (ideally f\/2.8) and to increase the ISO sensitivity as necessary. Most modern-day cameras now keep noise down even when photographing at quite high ISOs.<\/li>\n
  3. AF can struggle in low light, while metering can struggle with changing stage lights. Use continuous focus (AI Servo on Canons) and image stabilisation. Focus on the performer\u2019s eyes\/face and pick the fastest shutter speed possible. Check the histogram for blown highlights.<\/li>\n
  4. Composition is another challenge. Being closer to the stage will help avoid the crowd\u2019s heads and waving arms. Also, try to avoid photographing mics or other stage paraphernalia cluttering up the composition. Shoot raw for maximum editing latitude.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you\u2019re into photography and music, the chance to shoot a live concert ticks two big boxes. Gig photography isn\u2019t easy, though, and even pros have to work under tough conditions. Often they can only stay in the photo pit for three songs, they can\u2019t use flash, and they are jostling with other photographers to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":323,"featured_media":91213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[375],"tags":[],"product-category":[],"class_list":["post-91210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-expert_advice"],"yoast_head":"\nBluffing gig shots: tips for great concert photography - Amateur Photographer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/expert_advice\/bluffing-gig-shots-tips-great-concert-photography\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bluffing gig shots: tips for great concert photography\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you\u2019re into photography and music, the chance to shoot a live concert ticks two big boxes. Gig photography isn\u2019t easy, though, and even pros have to work under tough conditions. 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