Concert Photography

[xxRiotPhotographer87xx]

Hello my name is Steven. I have a few questions, I'll be going to an outdoor concert for a band I know, they will be playing at Universal Citywalk in LA and and I've shot there before and the lighting there is pretty decent from what I remember...and when I shot there the first time my pictures came out pretty decent but I just wanted to know if anyone has any techniques/tips for me so the pictures can come out better. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

[78novacaine]

Can you post your examples from the previous shoot so we know what the lighting was like, what you had difficulty with, etc? Otherwise we are completely shooting blind here...

[xxRiotPhotographer87xx]

Yeah sorry my bad. Here are a few shots from the show that I went to last year. I had difficulty with some of the pictures. Sometimes they would be clear & other times they would be blurry. I had my camera set on Night Scene mode & then I put on a another mode called Dis Mode it reduces the blur incurred by moving subject or camera movement but they didn't really do that well...

[78novacaine]

I would say first off find the mode that says "m" (manual) and leave it on there. I am assuming that you are using a kit lens, so open up the aperture to as wide as it will go (smallest number numerically), then start the shutter off at around 1/90-1/200 or so, then adjust the ISO accordingly, should give you consistent enough results.

As far as your examples:

1: Face is overexposed, entire image is slightly soft

2: motion blur and face is soft, higher shutter speed and more careful focus could fix this

3: Soft, his face is blown out, not extremely flattering angle for her

Overall these are a decent start, but keep working at it and you will get from decent, to good, to better, etc, etc

[xxRiotPhotographer87xx]

Yes, I do use a kit lens. Thank you for the advice! I appreciate it very much :) and I'll make sure to use it when I go to shoot them again.

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by 78novacaine

I would say first off find the mode that says "m" (manual) and leave it on there. I am assuming that you are using a kit lens, so open up the aperture to as wide as it will go (smallest number numerically), then start the shutter off at around 1/90-1/200 or so, then adjust the ISO accordingly, should give you consistent enough results.

As far as your examples:

1: Face is overexposed, entire image is slightly soft

2: motion blur and face is soft, higher shutter speed and more careful focus could fix this

3: Soft, his face is blown out, not extremely flattering angle for her

Overall these are a decent start, but keep working at it and you will get from decent, to good, to better, etc, etc

I would also say try and get a fast prime lens like a 50 1.8. It will make a world of difference with shooting in those low light situations.

[kenw]

"Dis" mode? not clear on that one. The only thing that will reduce blur caused by movement of the subject is a faster shutter. Depending on the conditions I usually tried to stay faster than 1/125. Even that gave me fits with hand movements of guitarists (drummers were a lost cause!). Used to shoot a lot of poorly lit concerts when my son played. I found that shutter priority (punk, lots of movement!) combined with a high ISO 800-1600 gave best results in reducing blury performers. The aperture is largely a don't care relatively speaking, the shutter and ISO are more important here. More often than not it will max the aperture anyway. Also as mentioned a faster prime is going to be a huge help, I would also recommend the 50/1.8 lens since you appear to be able to get fairly close. The other lens I used for this was a 20/1.8, but the 50/1.8 is about 1/4 the $.

[78novacaine]

Originally Posted by crbeveri

I would also say try and get a fast prime lens like a 50 1.8. It will make a world of difference with shooting in those low light situations.

This also, I was just basing my advice on the equipment he had available to him

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by 78novacaine

This also, I was just basing my advice on the equipment he had available to him

Oh I know, but looking at the images he posted I would say he is already really close to pushing the ISO as high as I would before noise become a huge problem. There is nothing wrong with kit lenses (I have any of my fav pictures taken with a 18-55mm kit) but they still remain slow lenses. I think for 100 bucks a 50 1.8 would be the best for him so that he can keep the ISO where it is but speed that shutter up to reduce the blur.

On a side not I would say see if Able can give you some advice on settings. He is a spectacular photographer and has shot many concerts.

[Abel]

usually when i shoot shows a f2.8 lens or faster is best... low light can be a pain to deal with if you dont have a faster lens to shoot with.

i usually shoot in manual mode stick around a shutter speed of 1/160th and bump up my ISO to whatever it needs to be in order to get that shutter speed etc.

if youre using a kit lens chances are youre zoomed all the way and are only getting a max aperture of about f5.6 which is not ideal for low light images at all.

the 50 f1.8 would be a great addition and those can be had for around $100.

[xxRiotPhotographer87xx]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I appreciate it. Here's a rundown of the equipment I have that I use. I have an Olympus E-410 with a 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Zuiko Lens (which I shot with the first time I went) and I have a 40-150mm f/3.5-4.5 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens.

[78novacaine]

Does olympus make a cheap 50mm 1.8, like around $100 like the Canon and Nikon models? If so, like the guys above have said, that will be your best bet, get it, and open it up to about 2.4-2.8 to start off with, 1.8 can be difficult to nail the focus, especially when you are just beginning, hope this has helped!

[rhondarocks]

Definitely get a 2.8 or smaller lens. Don't be afraid to up the ISO. Hold still and wait for the shot. I slightly underexpose. And learn manual fast! :)

[78novacaine]

Originally Posted by rhondarocks

Definitely get a 2.8 or smaller lens. Don't be afraid to up the ISO. Hold still and wait for the shot. I slightly underexpose. And learn manual fast! :)

Hey Rhonda, you shoot for The Scene right? If so then I met you out at Zone 504, you were shooting The Drive and Euphilia was there also.