Shoot shows
By Mario Guilherme
6 April 2007
Shooting a music show is not the simplest challenge you'll face.
A good show coverage implicates getting a photopass for the show, knowing your camera, knowing how to use it, knowing the artist/band and knowing how they play and move on stage.
Look at your camera. Is it a DSLR? Is it a point&shoot? A DSLR will make your job easier, you can find a Canon EOS300D or a Nikon D50 for a really good price nowadays. This cameras are not professional ones but they do a great job if used properly.
A point&shoot camera, like a Sony Cybershot, will make things harder because you'll have really limited ISO speeds (like 400 maximum), limited zoom, limited apertures,...
If you have a DSLR, get a good lens.
The standard aperture for shows is f/2.8. But you can still do a good job with a f/3.3 or even a f/4.
If possible, get 2 lenses, so you can cover a wide area. Like a 18-70 and a 70-200.
A 50mm lens is also great add to your gear but zoom lenses should be your priority. If you only have a 50mm lens, it will limit your job and creativity.
You can always get prime lenses but they're expensive and we're just starting out. And if you only have one camera, will have to be changing lenses all the time.
If you have the lenses and the camera, you're on a good path.
Next, find out who's playing in your area, go to all the small shows you can find, get experienced.
Then, when you get to your first show, grab the camera and change the ISO to 400 (that's the allaround ISO and a good one to start with).
Start testing exposure speeds, try to never go below 1/30. If you're getting dark photos, pump up the ISO to 640 or 800!
If you have a f/2.8 lens, you probably won't need to go that low, even with the dim lighting that is common in smaller shows.
After shooting "smaller" bands for awhile, you'll want to shoot a "real" show.
Getting a photopass: If you're a freelancer or your just trying to build up your portfolio, call the promoter/producer of the show you want to shoot and ask them for a photopass. Try to do that a few weeks or a month before the show as there are limited spots for photographers.
Usually, if you explain your situation and have some previous work to show them, they'll get you one.
Don't try to get photopasses for those huge bands like the Rolling Stones, U2, Metallica,...it will be a waste of your time because those bands have really tight requirements for photographers and they won't get you permission if you're a freelancer.
You got the photopass, go check on the web how the bands looks, how they play live.
Youtube is a great tool to find out how a band plays live, check all the videos you can find. Hear them. Find photos from their previous shows. Do your homework.
When you get the confirmation, you will also get a timetable. So get to the venue on time. You'll have to pick up your the pass from the ticketoffice that says "Press". All you have to do is show some ID so they can check on their list.
Important: If you're late, you won't get in. The prodution has schedules for everything.
Usually, you get to shoot 2 or 3 songs on the photographers pit, no flash photography (this is really important!). If you use the flash, you'll probably get kicked out of the venue and won't be getting any photopasses from that promoter or venue in a near future.
This is serious, try not to break the rules.
Get the best of it, shoot everything that moves on stage. You have to be focused, this is really important.
Be careful with the composition of your photos, try to be different, be creative, be original. But never disrupt the performers or try to get their attention.
After the 3 songs, get out of the pit, put your camera away, enjoy the rest of the show or go home. It's not ethical capturing images after the limit the band's manager gave, gives photographers a bad name. But if a lifetime moment happens on stage, it's your job to capture that moment. But try to get permission for it, there's always someone responsible for the journalists around. Only get your camera out if you have permission because if you don't, some security will throw you out.
It's not that hard to take a picture of someone or something, it's hard to be original and that how you should do it.
