Gig Photography

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I am looking to do some more gig photography in the new year and wondered if you chap and chapesses had any advice to a noob. I have done a few for a friends band - they're ok - the band like them but I think I can improve.

Main problems I have is capturing good moments. The band I have been mainly photographing are quite energentic on stage and therefore a lot of the images come out blurred.

I don't have an external flash (yet) and try to refrain from using the flash on my camera. Maybe I need to look at a lens that has lower aperture capabilities?

So any advice on how to capture those moments would be greatly appreciated.

Ta and Merry Christmas to all x
 
There's quite a lot of info on gig photography here, so I won't go over old ground, do a search.

What I would suggest in your case is buying the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S for the D40. A fast lens makes a huge difference. If you're using the kit lens you'll probably need to use flash cos it's a bit slow - but always use manual mode, say ISO 800, f/fastest, shutter 1/20 say. The flash will freeze motion and the slow shutter should let in some ambient. Use these settings as a starting point and fiddle from there.

Blur comes from either subject motion and poor focusing or both. The flash will freeze motion. Poor focusing comes from using a slow lens in poor light, or the subject moving after you've focused. Try AF-C (continuous focus), use the middle sensor (peripheral sensors are much less sensitive), if all else fails use the focus-assist, but it doesn't work in AF-C mode, and only works with the middle sensor.

Hope this helps.

PS I still use a D40 with the 35mm f/1.8 (along with a D90 with the 85mm f/1.8) for gig shoots, manual mode f/2, shutter 1/50, auto ISO. Don't be afraid of ISO 1600, no-one sees noise apart from other photographers. The D40 has quite "nice" noise as well.
 
Cheers guys, much appreciated. Doc - I will give thats guide a read when I have me lunch!

Yeah, see the noise was an issue with some of the photos (for me , that is, as you said others don't seem to notice it/care)

I think at times I get a little too ambitious, look at pro shots and am like why can't I do that - of course it's down to practice and equipment. I will take the advice on board and give it a go in the new year.
 
Hi Mate,
Been doing a few gigs lately and really enjoy them! Generally flash is not welcome and it destroys the atmosphere of the shot. Sure the lighting will make it difficult but you will love the good ones you get.
So read the tutorial suggested its really good, a low light lens is essential. I use a 1.4 and am in ISO 800 or above.... I generally try and avoid taking shots in blue light, thye come out looking like aliens, Red is almost as bad! Occasionally you will get white light on your subject mixed up with the other colours and get a great shot.
My other tip is that often you will have your camera in portrait view rather than landscape, if you can set your AF point for the top ie the face focus point. You don't want to be centre focussing and them moving the camera, a lot will end up out of focus due to wide open apeture and distance.
Good luck and post some shots!

Dunc
 
Some good advice posted - a small fast lens is cheap and worth its weight in gold for gig photography. Stage lights are you best friend when they are white and your worst enemy when a solid red, blue or green! However, thats when digital comes into its own - carry on shooting and convert these to B+W - they look great and nobody knows that they are black and white 'cause they look s***e in colour!

Have fun!
 
Its quite hard, i came out ok with my first band shoot, the camera's flash is fine :) external flash is much better...

The lighting at gigs is crazy and make for some good affects, my first ever gig pics...

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largest aperture you can afford / use comfortably, start at iso800 but be prepared to go higher if need be, wear earplugs, no lower than 1/<focal length> shutter speed, pummel the shots to get as many as possible, don't use flash, be out at the end of your permitted 3 songs or whatever you get allocated.

hope the lampie hasn't gone for an all red setup, ccd sensors don't really like red light for some reason :S

good luck :D
 
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