Concert Photography

[MikeWelsch]

Just found out that I"ll being shooting a concert at the Toyota Center. I've never shot concerts before...my background is sports. What are some settings that I can expect to use while shooting this? What lenses are recommended?

Thanks in advance...MIKE

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Fastest lens in your collection or that you can get ahold of.
What style of Music? If it is a folk trio standing around the way you shoot will differ vs a Metal Band that acts like it is on a sugar high.

[zepp]

Every show at the Toyota Center is different. There are no set standards per that venue. That's part of concert shooting. Sit in the pit and anticipate what the opening note will bring you while the sweat begins to flow down your forehead.

I've shot shows that some songs were performed in almost total darkness. While others were lit up so great that the anticipated camera settings were immediately corrected.

If I know for sure that I am not shooting from the soundboard, I leave the 400mm f/2.8 at home. I've been able to get some nice images with standard zooms. I usually take three bodies with me and mounted to them are the 16-36 f/2.8, 28-70 f/2.8, and 70-200 f/2.8. Some times I shoot primes including the 50 f/1.4, 135 f/2.0 and the 200 f/1.8. I've recently purchased a 35 f/1.4 for concerts but haven’t shot a show since the purchase.

I usually can get by with 800 ISO and I normally use spot metering to change settings on the fly.

Some samples can be seen here as for different lighting conditions.

http://www.zeppzone.com/entertainment

What show are you shooting?

[Spec A!]

Wow Frank- not only are the subjects great, but the quality of the images are incredible! How much post processing was involved?

[zepp]

Originally Posted by Spec A!

Wow Frank- not only are the subjects great, but the quality of the images are incredible! How much post processing was involved?

Nothing more than the usual. Thanks!

[MikeWelsch]

Originally Posted by zepp

Every show at the Toyota Center is different. There are no set standards per that venue. That's part of concert shooting. Sit in the pit and anticipate what the opening note will bring you while the sweat begins to flow down your forehead.

I've shot shows that some songs were performed in almost total darkness. While others were lit up so great that the anticipated camera settings were immediately corrected.

If I know for sure that I am not shooting from the soundboard, I leave the 400mm f/2.8 at home. I've been able to get some nice images with standard zooms. I usually take three bodies with me and mounted to them are the 16-36 f/2.8, 28-70 f/2.8, and 70-200 f/2.8. Some times I shoot primes including the 50 f/1.4, 135 f/2.0 and the 200 f/1.8. I've recently purchased a 35 f/1.4 for concerts but haven’t shot a show since the purchase.

I usually can get by with 800 ISO and I normally use spot metering to change settings on the fly.

Some samples can be seen here as for different lighting conditions.

http://www.zeppzone.com/entertainment

What show are you shooting?

thanks for the info...i'll be shooting the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill show.

[Redmouse]

Bring your fastest lense and leave the flash at home. Carry light, and hope for the best. You usually have 2 or 3 songs so dont forget to take the lense cap off. Here's advice Abel passed on to me, if they have someone opening for them shoot that so you can get a feel of how it goes.

Side note...Faith Hill is hawt...

[MikeWelsch]

Originally Posted by Redmouse

Side note...Faith Hill is hawt...

I was asking for advise on shooting. I already knew this!!!

[petert]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

...a Metal Band that acts like it is on a sugar high...

Sugar??!! Is that what that stuff is?

[digitaldooda]

Depends on where they let you stand. Do get earplugs! I have been shooting for KLUV, KVIL and the OASIS at their outdoor concerts for over 10 years.....yeah, even back in the days of only film. I am part of a team. I shoot the 80-200 2.8 and the other guys shoot the wide shots. When we get on stage, the super wide angle can really be dramatic. We get a good sampling of close ups and full stage effects. I do use fill flash and depending on the stage action, as slow a speed as I can handhold to let stage lighting color the photo. If it looks like a flash photo with your artist in a sea of black, then you need to change your settings to favor the stage lighting, usuall by lowering your shutterspeed or changing the ISO. The flash will often help to solidify the action. My ISO is usually at 400-800.....depending on the color of the stage lights. The dark blue and red lights may sometimes require 1600 ISO....but that really makes it tough to use the flash and the photos don't appear as sharp. Keep your eye on the histogram so that you get good info building up in the highlight quadrant without clipping. Shoot in RAW! I do recommend you shoot in the Manual Mode. Stage lighting can fool the meter. You will be indoors, so your light will be much more consistent. Do a few tests before the concert starts (like on the announcer, etc). That is the beauty of digital...instant gratification. I'm sure you'll find many other "right" ways to do this. Let me know what works for you.
Vickie

[zepp]

Notes for Liteman about his upcoming shoot

Originally Posted by digitaldooda

Depends on where they let you stand.

You can look at the seating setup for shows at the Toyota Center by viewing their web page. This show will be a circular stage with four ramps extending into the floor seating area. You can usually find out the day of the show where you will be allowed to shoot from be it the pit or from the soundboard.

When we get on stage, the super wide angle can really be dramatic. We get a good sampling of close ups and full stage effects.

Chances are slim to none that you will be getting on stage during this show.

I do use fill flash and depending on the stage action, as slow a speed as I can handhold to let stage lighting color the photo. If it looks like a flash photo with your artist in a sea of black, then you need to change your settings to favor the stage lighting, usuall by lowering your shutterspeed or changing the ISO. The flash will often help to solidify the action.

Chances are also slim to none that you will be allowed to use flash

Do a few tests before the concert starts (like on the announcer, etc). That is the beauty of digital...instant gratification. I'm sure you'll find many other "right" ways to do this. Let me know what works for you.
Vickie

Usually the shows at Toyota center just start without an announcer and in total darkness letting the performers get on stage unseen, so to speak, and be in place when the show starts.

These are just my tips from my experience at this particular venue for Liteman so he knows what and what not to expect.

[MikeWelsch]

Dang Frank, you are full of useful knowledge. I'm glad that I posted this here. You are very familiar with the arena, and your tips will be taken very seriously. Once again, thanks for the help.