It definitely sounds like you’re using a digital camera with a cropped sensor, so for that a 10-20mm would be an ideal range. F/3.5 is a bit slow for most concert work without flash, but it depends on what fits your budget. That focal range would work well for shooting close-up.

A 15mm fisheye would actually work very well for you, though. I’d be willing to bet money that the other local photographers whose lenses you saw are using fisheyes that were made for cropped sensor cameras and have a focal length of 10mm or less…something like that. That’s why they look too extreme.

The 15mm fisheye would give the same kind of bubble look on a full-frame sensor (which you DO NOT have), because it was designed for the old 35mm cameras (equivalent to the full-frame digital bodies today).

But…if you use a 15mm fisheye on a cropped sensor DSLR (which is the kind of camera you DO have, I think), then it won’t actually be so extreme. The fisheye effect will actually be very subtle…more like a wide angle lens.

If you want to see what I mean, take a look at the 2nd and 3rd pics on this post on my blog: What Is The Best Lens For Concert Photography?

The 2nd and 3rd shots on there (the drummer and then the guitarist) were both shot using a Canon f/2.8 15mm fisheye lens on a Canon 50D (which has a cropped sensor). The bubble effect is so subtle that you wouldn’t even guess that it’s a fisheye lens.

So either go with a wide angle zoom like the 10-20mm, a prime wide angle zoom like a 20mm or wider, or a 15mm fisheye. Don’t get the 8mm or 10mm fisheyes unless you want a true fisheye look to the images.

I should have asked already…what kind of camera do you use, and do you know if it’s a cropped sensor or a full size sensor?

Good luck!

I’ve recently got back into shooting local shows. Considering I live in South Africa, the majority of our venues are tight. Really tight.

I did my research, got my settings right, showed up with my 50mm 1.4 and began firing away. To my surprise, no matter how far back I went, I was way too close.

I am looking at picking up a new piece of glass and I know Chris suggests a Fisheye, but some of the other local photographers use Fisheyes and I feel like it’s a bit over done this side.

What would be an alternative?

I was thinking something like a 10-20mm 3.5…or am I completely off track?

Your comment is from a few years ago, and I’m sure you have an answer, so I’ll answer for others who might read this and be curious. Generally, festival press passes are granted for either daily or event-long access. The standard venue rules apply around the stage: no flash and first three songs (usually).

Working for a publication is probably the best way to get your foot in to shoot, but not always necessary. I have friends who have photographed festivals as freelancers with no affiliations for weblogs. However, some festivals can be harder to cover simply because there is a limit to the number of people who organizers can safely fit into the pit.

As a money-making proposition, there isn’t a lot in live music photography unless you’re working for a promoter or sponsor (think Red Bull or Sennheiser) so you’ll want either a day job or another avenue of photography to work.

Best of luck and happy shooting! :)

Gerry