Band shoot tips

[foodpoison]

Just need some tips really.

I will be using the nifty 50 mostly, but also all the lenses in my 'arsenal'.
Got my 350d, and I don't have a flashgun. Don't know how big a problem that is.

So yeah, people who shoot bands, just need some tips on what you lot do, how you shoot, what sort of settings, etc etc etc.

[Forbiddenbiker]

Raise that Iso, watch out for those stage lights down your lens. :thumbs:

[foodpoison]

Only problem with high ISO's on the 350d is that the noise is pretty bad.

I suppose its just another justification to get a 40d :D

[Hopkin Green Frog]

Depends on the stage and the amount of light available. You shouldn't be using a flash anyway, though that depends on the band, most professional bands you can only shoot the first three songs and flash is not allowed.

I tend to shoot at ISO800, about f2.8 and 1/100 (ish), usually after a few shots I have things adjusted to the conditions. Though Hot Chip last night used a depressing amount of blue lights and strobes, which are a real pain.

[Forbiddenbiker]

Can't be worse than my D70 surely, don't have much of a clue about cannons but I thought they where all better in that area.
...I find, if I get the exposure right and as long as I don't fiddle with it two much in raw to compensate... its not that bad. :shrug:

Best wait for some advice from the guys that actually do this stuff. :thumbs: :D edit ..as above.

[paulc]

My d70 is crap for noise too!..hopefully Someone like sakura will see this post, but there is quite alot of info on these forums regarding band stuff.

But mr greenfrogs advice is good

[inaneredstripe]

ive shot a couple of gigs with a 350 and a nifty. i used 800 iso and managed to shoot down to 1/60th handheld on shutter priority mostly. focusing on faces , or particular points is the hard bit. very narrow depth of field.
managed to come up with these. http://www.rainbowphotography.biz/images/lupine/Dynamic/index.html
i was lucky the organiser is a mate, so i could get allover the place and even on the stage.

[foodpoison]

Thankfully, its not an extremely well known band, they're called Kenelis, and I've actually been asked by the band to come to their rehearsal studio.
So I'll have full access to the stage and all over for as long as I want!

[W.Smith]

Hi food,

try typing "concert photography" in the Search box, and hit Enter.

Have fun!

[dj_myk]

This is something I have recently been doing for a few bands that my mates play in.

I have a 400d and I am in the process of buying a Sigma 24-70 2.8 to pull off the close shots.\

The fixed 50mm is a great place to start, and gives you the appature you need, but does not get you close enough all the time.

I done a gig on sunday just past. have a look

http://www.mykweb.co.uk/Gallery/Gigs/24%20Feb%2008%20The%20Jam%20House/gallery.html

The light in this place is usually good, however its such a long and deep stage that you can get poor light if shooting from the wrong side.

There was a big glasgow band called the Dykeenies playing that night. I managed to get into the pit between the crowed and the stage, so the last few were right good close ups.

They were mainly shot around 800 ISO, and some were used with a flash. However I am going to invest in a remote flash and position it with a difuser up on top of the speakers, this will fill the stage and give better light.

There was a guy there who had a flash gun with the remote trigers and he was using a Nikon with a 24-140 i think. and his shots were amazing. The flash and difuser really makes a big difference to nail the shot every time.

Mike

[foodpoison]

I did the shoot, used, surprisingly, mainly the Sigma 10-20.
It was quite strange, since although technically the nifty 50 was better suited, it was too close up. The band rehearsal room was small, and I couldn't get far away enough to get the whole person in the frame.

[inaneredstripe]

picys?

[foodpoison]

I've been really ill since I got back from the shoot so I haven't even gotten round to taking them off the cards yet! But rest assured you guys will be the first to see them :p