After photographing El Monstero late last year, I knew that I’d have to catch Celebration Day. Comprised of many of the same band members and crew as the bigger Pink Floyd tribute, Celebration Day channeled Led Zepplin in an epic, three-hour rock fest of two sold-out shows. Here are the photos from the first night.
Music Photographer’s Notes:
After I found out that Celebration Day shares many of the same musicians as El Monstero, I knew that I had to photograph it. Somehow, these two shows had been off my radar in the past few years, but I’m very glad that I could catch them both on assignment.
While the production was scaled down compared to the week-long residency that El Monstero enjoys, Celebration Day was pleasantly surprising in its production. I’d heard that in past years only the house lights were used, so when I showed up to see a huge rig of cans at the back of the stage, I knew it was going to be a good night.
Overall, light levels were in the ISO 2000-3200 range – totally workable for the Nikon D3 and D700, my mainstays.
The band was set back about a meter from the edge of the stage, so this really was an event where the 70-200mm f/2.8 excelled. Here’s a snap from the photo pit that shows this distance (and the height of the stage):
Thanks to the band’s photograph, Paul, I was set up with stage access for this gig, which never hurts. Add to that, the atmospheric light show, and a full-set shooting time, and this set was a blast.
These are images from the first night of Celebration Day’s two performances – stay tuned for the second night.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 6:39 pm and is filed under Music Photography and tagged with celebration day, Led Zepplin, live, music photography, pageant, photographer, photos, st. louis, tribute. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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I love that shot from monitor world. Mainly because I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything from you that wasn’t taken from the pit. Do you roam the flanks of the stage often? If not, you should.
Hey Brian,
Thanks for the comment – That shot of the monitor from the side stage was one of my favorites of the night.
As for the access, it just depends on the band. If I’m shooting for the band or otherwise have AAA, then I’m all about stage access.
Great shots as always. Your one of my inspirations for concert photography. I have been following your work and trying to reach your level. So far I have got the lens now I need the camera to get good quality pics with high ISOs. Keep them coming!
Hi Lucio,
Thanks very much for the kind words and support. I will say, the best tools never hurt, but any of the current DSLRs can really offer very good quality for live music photography. The D3 and D700 have been fantastic, but I also used to shoot with the Nikon D2x, which was pretty horrendous at high ISO.
Wow, the band outfits just like the real led zeppelin hehehe, great!!!
likes the photos number 8, 10 and 16…
Hey Anggara,
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it – thanks for the picks.
im learning much from all your concert photo shot, angle dan moment…
Hey Anggara,
Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it. Cheers.
Todd:
A pleasure to work in the pit with you. As I mentioned previously aside from your eye, technically and post-productionally you are a master. I wish that we could work together more often. Your pit etiquite is the best.
Hopefully down the road we can shoot together.
Paul
You’re the man, Paul – great shooting with you again, let’s do it again soon! Thanks again for all the help for these shows.
Double-neck guitars, all-access, & 3 hours of Led Zepplin by musicians loving every second of it: http://ow.ly/1pC7HY
RT @toddowyoung: Double-neck guitars, all-access, & 3 hours of Led Zepplin by musicians loving every second of it: http://ow.ly/1pC7HY
RT @toddowyoung: Double-neck guitars, all-access, & 3 hours of Led Zepplin by musicians loving every second of it: http://ow.ly/1pC7HY
I was there! RT @toddowyoung Photos: Celebration Day – Led Zepplin Tribute | ishootshows.com http://ow.ly/1pC7HY
Todd,
This is an awesome set! Frame #38, gray beard is classic!
OT question about photo passes and credentials. I’ve read your writings (and your brother’s too) about getting into the show. My question is this, When working directly with the band, tour manager, publicist, what do you do when they want to know the media outlet your shooting for? For your photography are you shooting on assignment for every show you do? And a followup to that question, if you are on assignment, does that limit your ability to license the resulting images?
Thanks for your help,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the comment. That die-hard Zepplin fan on the barricade was awesome. He had a ticket from a 1980 concert with Led Zepplin in Germany, and he was loving it – there both nights.
To answer your question, yes, I’m essentially shooting on assignment for every show. There’s no reason for anyone to hook up credentials unless it will benefit them in some way. It sounds mean, but shooting for one’s portfolio doesn’t do the band any good. As I mentioned in the Photo Pass article, the best way to secure credentials is simply to shoot for a publication.
As far as the licensing, it depends on what contract, if any, is presented to photograph the show. Most bands don’t have any contract, some larger ones do. Most just don’t want you making a t-shirt and selling it.
Todd,
Great set once again. All of your pics are so crisp and virtually noiseless. Im shooting a D300 with f2.8 lenses and at 3200 iso, the noise is pretty horrific. Although, I have no idea what Im doing post processing. Are the D700 and D3 just that much better at high ISOs or is your noise removal mostly done in post? Also how much time do you usually spend editing after a shoot?
[...] Day, Night Two. After photographing the first night of this Led Zepplin tribute band’s two-gig show, I knew I had to come back for [...]