It’s hot, the summer solstice has come and gone, and, more importantly for many young music fans, Warped Tour is cris-crossing the country for the two months. Yes, Summer is here.
If you’re interested in photographing Warped Tour, here are five tips you should know.
If you haven’t read it already, first read my Photographer’s Guide To Warped Tour for a full rundown of tips and suggestions for shooting the tour.
1) Bring Plenty of Memory Cards & Batteries
If you’re shooting all day at Warped Tour, make sure you come prepared with plenty of extra memory cards and ideally at least one extra battery.
Borrow or beg as many extra cards as you can – you will shoot more than you think you will.
2) Be Courteous In The Photo Pit
Warped Tour is just like any other live music event, so remember your photo pit etiquette. Photo pits at Warped Tour can become quite crowded, so a little courtesy goes a long way.
If you’re using a point & shoot camera, minimize your footprint by keeping your camera close to your face (and not at arms length and in everyone else’s shot).
3) Don’t Worry About Camera Gear
That kit lens I told you to throw away? It’s actually not a bad choice for Warped Tour, with its low stages, generally abundant light, and close access to the stage.
One of the best things about Warped Tour is the low barrier for entry. This includes access for small publications, but also in terms of photo gear as well – even today’s P&S cameras can offer fantastic results for Warped Tour’s daylight shooting.
4) Show Only Your Best Images
Want to know a secret of professional photographers? We only show our best work.
Shooting Warped Tour is only half the battle; the real trick comes after the show. Show only your best images and you’ve made yourself a better photographer – no new camera gear necessary.
5) Have Fun
You’ve got the best seat in the house for three songs, so enjoy yourself. It will show in your images.
This entry was posted on Friday, July 2nd, 2010 at 8:44 am and is filed under Photography Tutorials and tagged with advice, music, music photographer, music photography, photographer, photography, tips, warped tour. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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Nice little refresher course to your bigger guide about the Warped Tour! Now, if only I can get into that photo pit…
Great stuff, as always, Todd! Always look forward to your posts!
Hey Patrick,
Thanks for the comment – With Warped having kicked off last week, I thought it was time for a little bump like this.
Warped Tour is one event that is relatively easy to get access to – if you have a publication to shoot for. But even blogs and streetpress seem to get pretty regular credentials, so it doesn’t have to be Rolling Stone.
Who would be the person to contact about shooting for the Warped Tour?
nevermind, i found the info on warped tours website…
5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9Sxjet
RT @toddowyoung: 5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9Sxjet
5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9cA6Js
Great stuff, as always! RT @toddowyoung 5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9Sxjet #photography
RT @toddowyoung: 5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9Sxjet
RT @crephoto: 5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9cA6Js
Good tips indeed. RT @toddowyoung: 5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9Sxjet
This is good stuff. I need a 50mm f/1.4 in my life.
RT: @toddowyoung 5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9Sxjet
Solid advice Todd. RT @toddowyoung: 5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour http://bit.ly/9Sxjet
watch your back for flying CD’s, kids,fruit,food,bottles,cans,generally anything not nailed down! Ive seen photogs get taken down by things people throw at the stage! also the press area ussually has water,outlets, and other genral things for free, so dont waste your money on 5 dollar waters:)
5 Tips For Photographing Warped Tour – http://b2l.me/8bsf6
Thanks for the tips! I can’t wait for warped tour to come around again so I can put them to use!
-Vanessa M.
hi!
so i m a student studying photography and wanted to build on my portfolio. So i thought warped tour would be a good chance, i ve messaged bands, and I’ve got 2 replies back saying that they would try to make it happen, does this mean i should still contact the publicist of the event? and if i did get the pass does that mean i still need to get a ticket? and does it allow me fully acess to all pits. sorry for all the questions, i m a newtimer, as you can see, and yours are amazing
These ARE great pieces of advice, as I shot Warped Tour and my first show this past summer! IT was a great experience and the kit lens is great (only lens I had!) the only thing I say you got wrong was some stages didn’t allow P&S cameras :( My assistant had one and they wouldn’t let him go with me on some stages. I shot New Mexico.