Concert photography

[JR6ooo4]

They look pretty sharp. Nice job.

MIkeeee

 

[lovetheprincesses]

Okay, you people of excellent advice....what lens do I need to take shots from a dark concert in the nosebleed section???

 

[JR6ooo4]

Something over $1000 I woud suggest. Maybe the L400mm

I use the dark 70-300IS 4.5-? with a tripod from 120 feet when I shoot theater. But I have to use 1600 and pretty much shoot when the actors have stopped moving. Heheheheee

Mikeeee

 

[ukcatfan]

Okay, you people of excellent advice....what lens do I need to take shots from a dark concert in the nosebleed section???

Being that far away, I would personally not even try. Just sit back and enjoy the show. I believe a prime would be the way to go though. Considering that you are that far away to begin with, I do not think a zoom lens offers much of a benefit.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Even with a prime, the lens would be so big that it would be very distracting for people around you, and you'd almost certainly need a tripod to get anything steady. I would guess than a 300mm F2.8 would be the absolute minimum you would want to try.

So, I'd have to agree with Kevin. If you're choosing between just enjoying the show or lugging a huge, heavy, bulky, expensive lens and a tripod to a concert which'll probably still result in so-so photos... well, the choice is obvious.

 

[Anewman]

Even with a prime, the lens would be so big that it would be very distracting for people around you, and you'd almost certainly need a tripod to get anything steady. I would guess than a 300mm F2.8 would be the absolute minimum you would want to try.

So, I'd have to agree with Kevin. If you're choosing between just enjoying the show or lugging a huge, heavy, bulky, expensive lens and a tripod to a concert which'll probably still result in so-so photos... well, the choice is obvious.

And even then, I would hate to lug that equipment to the arena only to have Security tell me that there is no photography(or pro equipment) allowed. I have had to walk back to the car to put it in trunk, and then could not enjoy the show thinking someone saw me put the gear into the trunk...

 

[lovetheprincesses]

Thanks guys!!!!!! I knew you would know the answers! That is what I was thinking, but thought you might have a solution for me. I appreciate the responses.

 

[Master Mason]

Another question though is what do you concider to be nose bleed section, how far away is it really from the stage.

This was taken from the back of the balcony with a 24-70 f/2.8 and cropped. It won't win any prizes, but isn't terrible either. I wasn't carrying my longer lens with me as we hadn't planned on seeing this when we went in.

 

[nicurn]

sorry if this has been addressed already anyhow, going to hm concert and taking my cannon is s1 and just want to know if I should leave it on the auto or put it on the sports/movement setting? (already got a lecture on another board about how this is impossible to answer without knowing the lighting and using light meter etc ) thanks for any suggestions. maggie

 

[tiggr33]

I went to a Trans Siberian Orchestra show on Saturday. We used a canon powershot (forget which model). We set it to full auto/flash off. The pictures turned out pretty good. We opted for full auto since they use so many lasers, pyrotechnics, and lights. We figured we could do some post editing if need be. We also took some pictures with our 3 and 4mp camera phones with decent results. We had floor seats. Which I do not recomend for photographing. TSO was fantastic, and they had a special christmas suprise for us, Roger Daltrey did a set at the end. WOW!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I can't help much (other than if you see my response to the low light question I answered on another thread today) but I know there have been threads on this subject before. I did a search here of "concert pictures" and there were a bunch of threads, not sure if they're specific to the PB, but you could also try searching concert photography, etc.

PS just reread your question. I hardly ever use auto anymore, but I guess others have good results. Try using P mode or nighttime settings, increase the ISO, and most importantly, keep the camera still! This may not work too well since the subjects are generally moving, but take lots of shots so you'll at least get some keepers. Have fun!

 

[nicurn]

thanks for the suggestions. maggie

 

[cpbjgc]

The main problem with the S1 is that it only has an ISO setting of 400, so indoor shots can be a problem. You can certainly leave it on auto, but turn off the flash as it will not help in anyway. I would use Av mode, and try to set the apeture fro the smallest number possible. I would also conside NOT using the IS feature as this can actually slow down the focus in low light situations. This is less of a problem if you try to prefocus, but if you're planning on pointing and snapping away, it may actually prevent you from capturing the shot you want.

My main tip is to either be very close to the stage or go to a long zoom on well lit parts of the stage, and when taking a picture, try to catch pauses in action, as it won't be fast enough to freeze action if you are any distance away from the stage.

Here is a picture I took on a Disney cruise last January from the back of the theatre:

Good luck shooting!

 

[ducklite]

I shoot 50+ concerts a year. I have a Nikon D-70 and generally use an 80-200 f/2.8 lens. I shoot on Aperture priority, f/2.8, usually in the 600 ISO range--but 400 is manageable for some shows--especially ones like TSO where the lighting director likes a BRIGHT stage. No flash--in the very, very rare circumstances that I use a flash, then disregard everything I just said.

The best tip is to set your camera for contiuous shooting mode. The first frame will have a slight blue due to your depressing tehs hutter, the second will be perfect, the third will again have a blur due to your natural body movement. Another tip is to keep your arms against your body to stabalize the camera.

Keep in mind that some venues do not allow cameras, so check before you bring it along.

 

[ducklite]

OK, I just realized what type of camera you've got.

I'd try using the sports/action mode with the ISO bumped up to 400. Use the viewfinder instead of the digital screen so you can keep those arms tucked in for stability.

 

[nicurn]

thanks bunches. I'm taking my cannon because it says I can take my p&s but not my one with exchangable lens. I'm hoping to get at least one "good" picture but realise I probably won't, but figured I should get suggestions on settings. maggie

 

[iHEARTflorida]

How can i get the best shot of concerts, due to all the bright lights etc...

 

[tiggerwannabe]

High film speed,
no flash-let the fill lights light your shot
& close up

JMHO~

 

[rtphokie]

How can i get the best shot of concerts, due to all the bright lights etc...

The bigger problem with concert photography is actually the lack of light but as you mention the bright lights can also create blown out highlights.

If you can, get as close as possible. If you cant get close, set your camera to the highest ISO available and open the aperture up as wide as possible and shoot as many shots as possible. Also, you might try setting focus and leaving it. The changing lighting conditions can drive some auto focuses nuts. As long as you are in the same place and your subject is in relatively the same place, you shouldn't need to refocus.

Here's some shots from this summer of the Rush tour here in Raleigh, NC. I was at least a football field away with my old Canon G3 set at ISO 800 (house rules allow cameras without removable lenses so the Rebel had to stay at home, pity). I shot 1200 frames during that 3 hour show and kept about 50.

Neil Peart on drums. I was way too far away without a lens that could reach to have any prayer of getting a shot of the drummer. The video screen actually helped though.

Alex Lifeson is known for his "guitar faces"

Looks like they are having fun

More photos

 

[ducklite]

rtphokie pretty much nailed it, although I generally don't suggest going above about a 600 ISO. Otherthan Rob Zombie and Tool, any arena/stadium show is lit plenty well enough to capture great images with a 400-600 ISO. Going to a higher ISO will probably blow out the white balance.

One mistake that people make is to look through the digital viewfinder on the back of the camera. Instead use the optical viewfinder and keep your arms tucked into your body. Hold the camera with one hand and steady the bottom of it with the other. Basically use your body as a tripod.

I'd try shooting with your "sports" setting, which usually gives you the fastest shutter speed.