New to concerts

[beavo451]

Hi all! This is my first post in this forum
My question is regarding live concerts. I may be slated to shoot a concert and I need some tips on how to shoot it. They want pictures of the setup, the band, the concert itself, the crowd and shots of the band afterwards, no flash allowed during the concert. I've done some searching and I think I'm pretty set on the technical aspects. I need help on composition and ideas for different shots. Thanks in advance!

[satyr]

What size venue?
what kind of band?

and a note.. you have to be careful of shooting crowd shots if you can recognize the people.. you know that whole model release stuff for commercial work. It may not be a problem but you should be aware of possible issues.

[beavo451]

It is a Dramarama concert. They are expecting up to 2000 people attending.

[satyr]

So it's at least a mid size venue.. Which is good in that they generally have better lighting than a club. Hopefully they'll also have a barrier, which means if you have photo pass you can usually get in that pit and shoot. for those three songs. Start off with a wide angle and get full body shots and multiple members. If that works out of ok, go zoom to get close ups on the players you can. At this point your 3 songs will probably be about over. Now depending on how anal they are.. and if it's a standing show vs a everyone seated show, you can usually back up and shoot with your zoom from mid room or further back. Good for getting full stage and crowd shots.

[bullsparade]

on the note of concert photgraphy...would a few of you post a few links to your concert shots. I too have a concert coming up at Antone's. I would like some creative ideas.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

http://www.granada-theater.com/grana...gID=76&start=1
More taken by the house photographer:
http://www.billellison.com/more.html
No Photo Pit, I don't see how they could get 2,000 people into the Granada the place isn't that big now Lakewood maybe but I bet you misheard the crowd number.
Looking through the house photographers albums the lighting is very good at the venue, I have heard that the sound is very good also there.

WEAR EARPLUGS! A lot of times the only place that you can stand to get decent shots is right in front of a speaker stack-no one else there because it is so loud- shooting across the stage.

Looking at his albums I can see that he goes up into the balcony and of course he has been able to get up onto the side of the stage where you won't likely have access.

[Abel]

earplugs a must... theres been times where ive woken up the next day with my ears still ringing...

[anfernee576]

Originally Posted by bullsparade

on the note of concert photgraphy...would a few of you post a few links to your concert shots. I too have a concert coming up at Antone's. I would like some creative ideas.

Look under my gallery here on the forum. Pretty much all concert stuff.

~A~

[beavo451]

Awesome advice. Thanks! Good tip about the earplugs.