HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH MUSIC CONCERTS

Photographing action on stage is quite different to any other type of photography, and you will need to practice and practice and even then it may require more practice.

Composing your shot

You’ll have to work very quickly, in very low light, surrounded by other photographers, security and fans.

You’ll need to be confident of your gear and settings and your ability to use the camera.

If you’re anticipating having to change lenses, have the other lens out of your camera bag ready to switch. Some photographers shoot with two cameras, one mounted with a wide-angle lens, the other with a telephoto. 

You also ought to have a spare battery and flash card ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Camera

All concert photographers shoot with a SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera. This is because you need a camera that can be adjusted for a combination of ISO level, aperture and shutter speed. A camera that can handle high ISO levels is preferred. I shoot with a Nikon D3, which I have had for some time, a camera that is one of the best for shooting in low light and capable of high ISO settings with low noise output

Lenses

It all depends on the venue and the light but generally you will need to use fast lenses i.e. with a large aperture of around f2.8 or lower. This should then enable you to use the faster shutter speeds usually needed to capture motion in the low light.

There is a choice between using fixed focal length prime lenses or zoom lenses. Prime lenses tend to be sharper for the price but have the disadvantage of having to change during the shoot. I shoot mainly using a 50mm f1.8 for the mid range, with a 85mm f1.8 for the mid to long range, an 18-24mm f 3.5 for the occasional wide angle shot, and a 135mm f2.8 for the very long. I also have a 100mm macro f3.5 I sometimes call upon.

Flash

It will be rare when you can or should use flash, as this will be off-putting on stage and amongst the crowd. However, it can be sometimes unavoidable, so if you have to use flash use it sparingly and try to bounce off walls so as not to impact on the performers.

Exposure Settings

With a real mix of stage lights in colour and temperature exposure is where the challenge lies for music concert photographers. Evaluative or matrix metering has difficulty handling the mix of lighting so use spot metering. Not surprising with spot metering you will have to be quite exact in setting the focus point to capture sharpness where it is needed in the image. If new and inexperienced try setting in shutter priority at say 1/125sec and experiment with aperture changes.

A fast shutter speed of at least 1/125^th second or higher is needed. Zoom lenses may need to shoot at a faster shutter speed, as camera shake can be more evident. At this level even if the image is slightly underexposed it usually can be rescued in postproduction, such as with using Adobe Photoshop.

It is advisable to set the ISO at 800 or higher with a maximum of 1600 but try not to have to go this high. Noise is the problem at high ISO settings so you may have to apply noise reduction in postproduction.

Raw Capture

If your camera is equipped with Raw image capture then use it. This is best for the mix of lighting and will provide for the maximum manipulation allowed in postproduction.

Composing the shot

In the event there’s lots of action around you so take some time out beforehand to prepare and think about what you should look for to compose and set up your shooting.

Take note of the stage, where the clutter is so that you may avoid it spoiling shots.

Watch the performers – all have mannerisms that you might want to take into account and learn to anticipate their actions. For example how does the singer hold the mic or is a guitarist right handed or left handed. Avoid shots where the singer’s face may be obscured by how the mic is held so anticipate when the singer stands back from the mic.

Compose shots in the same way as in any other form of photography. Can you shoot at an angle, does the mic stand produce a diagonal, etc.

Watch for background.  A simple backdrop is best, so position yourself to avoid getting such things as lighting rigs and advertising banners in the shot. Clutter distracts from the focal point of the image. Shots of drummers can be badly affected by the clutter around them so try from the side. 

Try to get a backlight behind the performer. Move around until it’s directly behind. This can give a warm halo effect. Use lighting to produce rim or side lighting or silhouettes.

Sometimes action off the stage is just as interesting. If you can get the performer and crowd in the shot all the better

Try to capture the mood or vibes of the show and respond to it. Glastonbury might have mud and wellington boots as a feature.

Create an atmosphere

Permissions and Etiquette

Obviously being a photographer at a music concert you will need to have the necessary permissions from the organisers. Make sure these are obtained and that you meet and adhere to their requirements.

Be considerate of all others involved at the event: the audience, other photographers and make sure you are communicating with any security people around.

Finally, deliver your photographic images to the best of your ability and for the purpose required by either you or your client.

Post Production

It is not unusual to require some adjustments to the image in postproduction. Keep it to a minimum but it could mean adjusting lightness, colour or contrast through a levels adjustment in Adobe Photoshop, to make sure that the blacks are black and bringing up contrast a bit. Stage lights notoriously produce a red colour cast so try either a curves adjustment or reduce reds using a colour balance adjustment.  If the red is too much of a problem try converting to black & white.