Photos: Trampled Under Foot @ The Pageant
Opening for Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Trampled Underfoot probably had some of the most gorgeous lighting I’ve ever seen for an opening band. While the effects weren’t super bright, and thus required primes for a good portion of the shooting, the production for this trio proved that even dim lighting, given the proper [...]
Lighting Techniques: Backlighting for Band Portraits
In this shot of The New Heathers, I superclamped an SB-600 just out of frame in the elevator shaft for accent lighting. Love it or hate it, backlighting is a effective way to punch up music photography, whether it’s on stage or off. Here’s a look at getting the most out of a limited number [...]
How to Request a Photo Pass
Requesting a photo pass is a simple task, and one thing every music photographer should know how to do. And lucky for you, there are really only three things a publicist or manager wants to know when making the decision.
One Approach to Concert Photography
The photo pit is a brutal place. One approach to concert photography: When the lights go down, if you’re in the photo pit with me, I want to destroy you. After the first three songs, then we can be friends.
Becoming a Concert Photographer
Andrew Bird, whose kind manager, Andrea Troolin, granted me my first photo pass. A reader asks about how I got my start as a concert photographer. From the first show and the first photo pass to the first big break and beyond, here’s my story so far.
Camera Gear: Style vs Substance
The 21 megapixel sensor of the 5D Mark II. Beautiful, isn’t it? Does size really matter? A reader asks about photography equipment in relation to professionalism as a concert photographer.
Band Promos: Options for Location Lighting
It’s hard to find good help these days. Speedlights? Monolights? Powerpack setups? So many ways to go strobes, so little time. Let’s talk about options for flash photography on-location shooting band promos.
High ISO, Digital Noise & Noise Reduction
No concert photographer is a stranger to the challenge of digital noise and challenges of balancing image quality against difficult shooting conditions. Even as digital sensors and image processing become more sophisticated, the issue of digital noise is a constant struggle in concert photography. Live music photographers are constantly thrown into low and unpredictable lighting [...]
The Photo Pass
The all-important photo pass: the Golden Ticket of concerts. What it is, what you can can do with it, and who gets them.
How much do you shoot?
How much do you shoot, and what factors determine the success and failure of your images? A look at the “hit rate” for concert photography.
Capturing Facial Expressions
A reader asks about etiquette for presenting performers in a flattering manner. Is photographing a singer with their mouth wide open a display of intensity, or do they just look hungry for the mic?
AF Technique, Settings for Concert Photography
Single servo, or continuous AF? A look at choosing the right AF modes and camera settings for concert photography.
Pros & Cons of Using Lens Hoods For Music Photography
Lens hoods and concert photography. We take a look a the pros and cons of using that extra plastic to shield lenses from stray light, beer, and sweat.
Copyright and Concert Photography
A discussion of concert photography and copyright. Keeping control over your images, rights-grabs, contracts, and who owns what.
Concert Photography Q & A
I’m pleased to announce a new feature here at ishootshows.com: the concert photography Q & A. If you have questions about anything in the realm of concert photography, now’s your chance.
.
