Music festivals & low light

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Resurrected

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Paul
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Guys,

I'm off to Glastonbury for my annual pilgrimage next week. I've taken snaps before with a basic camera but now hope to get some better photographs.

I have asked a question in the photography technique guide that was published & had some great advice. However as I'm a beginner I thought I'd ask some basic questions here as I thought it may also help other beginners who are only looking in here.

So I have the D5000 with 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX NIKKOR & the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX NIKKOR lenses.

I know from my previous post that I'm goinf to struggle to get good pictures once the light drops & the headliners are on stage due to my quality of lens.

I will not be up close to the bands at night as I tend to keep away from the very front where the crush is. So I was wondering if using a monopod & a longer exposure with an ISO up to may be 800 would help get any better shots. I'm really not looking for fantastic shots at this stage. Since buying the camera (about 4-6 weeks ago) I've only been able to use it a couple of times due to various commitments. So this will really just be a time to experiment & get to know some of the features on the camera.

Any hints tips will be most appreciated.
 
Resurrected said:
Guys,

I'm off to Glastonbury for my annual pilgrimage next week. I've taken snaps before with a basic camera but now hope to get some better photographs.

I have asked a question in the photography technique guide that was published & had some great advice. However as I'm a beginner I thought I'd ask some basic questions here as I thought it may also help other beginners who are only looking in here.

So I have the D5000 with 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX NIKKOR & the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX NIKKOR lenses.

I know from my previous post that I'm goinf to struggle to get good pictures once the light drops & the headliners are on stage due to my quality of lens.

I will not be up close to the bands at night as I tend to keep away from the very front where the crush is. So I was wondering if using a monopod & a longer exposure with an ISO up to may be 800 would help get any better shots. I'm really not looking for fantastic shots at this stage. Since buying the camera (about 4-6 weeks ago) I've only been able to use it a couple of times due to various commitments. So this will really just be a time to experiment & get to know some of the features on the camera.

Any hints tips will be most appreciated.
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Check your ticket for restrictions on cameras. I've had to leave my gear with security at a festival before because they weren't letting any 'professional' cameras in. Not sure what restrictions they might have at glastonbury, but security usually regard any DSLR as pro gear.
 
lensflair said:
Check your ticket for restrictions on cameras. I've had to leave my gear with security at a festival before because they weren't letting any 'professional' cameras in. Not sure what restrictions they might have at glastonbury, but security usually regard any DSLR as pro gear.
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Glastonbury is a very different festival to most others, it is a lot more 'open'. I have been twice and there are no restrictions about what you can bring in other than glass. There won't be any problems bringing a DSLR into the festival.

I will not be up close to the bands at night as I tend to keep away from the very front where the crush is. So I was wondering if using a monopod & a longer exposure with an ISO up to may be 800 would help get any better shots. I'm really not looking for fantastic shots at this stage. Since buying the camera (about 4-6 weeks ago) I've only been able to use it a couple of times due to various commitments. So this will really just be a time to experiment & get to know some of the features on the camera.
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You will not want a long exposure as it will blur the action, so don't worry about the monopod. I would be shooting all your images in RAW, I would then pump up the ISO as high as possible, and have the lens wide open. This should keep the shutter times down to stop motion blur. I dont know Nikon, but I assume you will be able to use ISO 1600 and then apply NR in Lightroom (or similar).

I will also be at Glasto this year and I am considering my DSLR. But I am going to made a weather dependent decision the day before :)
 
I think you can easily use ISO6400 on the D5000 and get some good results.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5000/high-iso-comparison.htm

Personally, I would play it as low as possible with the ISO. Set your aperture to 3.5 and choose ISO800 - check the shutter speed. If it's giving you 1/60 or more, you should be ok for motion blur. If it's lower than 1/60, bump up the ISO til you get it.
 
I've not experienced any restrictions at Glastonbury regarding camera equipment.
I tend to not focus on photographing bands but if that is what you want try some of the smaller stages such as West Holts, Acoustic, Glade, Park etc you can get much closer to the bands there than you can at the bigger stages.

These are a couple of my very rare shots of performers at Glastonbury taken with my now sold 18-135mm lens. Not great shots but they show how close you can get to the performers all taken hand held but if you want to use a monopod I can't see there being any problem at all.

Andy Fairweather-Low - Acoustic Stage - ISO 1600 - 135mm - D300

CenpR.jpg



Buddy Guy - West Holts Stage - ISO 3200 - 135mm - D300

e6JNE.jpg
 
As stated there are no restrictions at Glasto. So I will have no issue with taking my gear in. Good tip about the rain! I can always use the secure lockups if it gets really bad. We've not had a bad year since 2007 and long range FWIW looks promising.
 
Resurrected said:
As stated there are no restrictions at Glasto. So I will have no issue with taking my gear in. Good tip about the rain! I can always use the secure lockups if it gets really bad. We've not had a bad year since 2007 and long range FWIW looks promising.
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That's good, wish they were all like that. haven't been to Glastonbury but would love to make it to one them.
 
Resurrected said:
As stated there are no restrictions at Glasto. So I will have no issue with taking my gear in. Good tip about the rain! I can always use the secure lockups if it gets really bad. We've not had a bad year since 2007 and long range FWIW looks promising.
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Don't mention 2007...... I don't think i've dried out yet! :(
 
Your camera has the same sensor as the D90/D300 (though it isn't tweaked as much for high ISO) so you should be good for ISO 1600 to 3200 in a pinch. Another tip, don't know if you shoot only in Auto mode but swich to P for Program, it's like Auto + allowing you to change aperture or shutter speed on the fly with the control wheel (read your manual, should be a menu setting to set Program shift to either shutter or aperture ... unless those functions don't exist in the D500). I'm not a Nikonian so don't know your camera controls so maybe some kind soul will explain what I mean better. Enjoy the festival, good lineup, wish I could go. <G>
 
Myrdhinn said:
Your camera has the same sensor as the D90/D300 (though it isn't tweaked as much for high ISO) so you should be good for ISO 1600 to 3200 in a pinch. Another tip, don't know if you shoot only in Auto mode but swich to P for Program, it's like Auto + allowing you to change aperture or shutter speed on the fly with the control wheel (read your manual, should be a menu setting to set Program shift to either shutter or aperture ... unless those functions don't exist in the D500). I'm not a Nikonian so don't know your camera controls so maybe some kind soul will explain what I mean better. Enjoy the festival, good lineup, wish I could go. <G>
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Cheers Pete. I've hardly shot in any mode as since buying the camera I've been snowed under with work & life in general. However I'm aware of the aperture & shutter priority modes so will try those out.
 
DaveKing said:
If it is anything like 2007 there is NO WAY I am going to bring my SLR. I might have to consider my waterproof camera!! :lol:
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Agreed!

I've just checked the long range & its looking hopeful (well as hopeful as you can be with any long range forecast :shrug:).
 
I've been following the long range weather forecast and it has been quite changeable for the past week or so, so I think I will just make a decision on the day.

One tip that I always recommend people bring plenty of bin liners, I use them for storing everything in. At least then if the tent leaks whilst you are asleep / out you have a fighting change that everything will stay dry
 
DaveKing said:
I've been following the long range weather forecast and it has been quite changeable for the past week or so, so I think I will just make a decision on the day.

One tip that I always recommend people bring plenty of bin liners, I use them for storing everything in. At least then if the tent leaks whilst you are asleep / out you have a fighting change that everything will stay dry
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Great tip & one I recommend. Also remember to leave a dry set of clothes in the car. Nothing worse than driving home dripping wet!

Where you camping Dave? I go with a large group & up until last year we always camped down near Dragons. But will be at Hitchin Hill this year.
 
I'm going by train this year, so no leaving a spare set of clothes in the car!

We usually camp in the Pennards, but this year we've paid the extra for a Tipi.
 
Yeah I am feeling much happier about the weather this year. I'm not sure what camera(s) I am going to take yet. Probably my G11 and a Holga pinhole.
 
I'm beginning to wonder whether to take the SLR now. Due to the fact I'm a total novice at the moment & I think it may be better to get out and practice away from somewhere like a festival rather than spend a lot of time in the festival type environment trying to get to grips with a new camera.
 
Resurrected said:
I'm beginning to wonder whether to take the SLR now. Due to the fact I'm a total novice at the moment & I think it may be better to get out and practice away from somewhere like a festival rather than spend a lot of time in the festival type environment trying to get to grips with a new camera.
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For a novice it is a godsend there is just so much to photograph. Why not just take a couple of hours a day to use the DSLR, have a walk around the Theatre and Circus Fields or the Healing Fields for example there is always stuff to photograph there and its a nice break from the mayhem. Also the walkabouts are always willing to pose for photos so its a good opportunity to practice photographing people. The rest of the time put the camera in the lock-ups and drink cider.
If you don't take it you can guarantee you will see so many photo opportunities. I would certainly have been taking mine if it hadn't been for my dodgy leg, I might still take it, just in case cider and painkillers perform a small miracle :lol:.
 
Not that posh - haha!

If you want to take the SLR go for it, there is so much to take photos of. It's such a good visual experience there.
 
DaveKing said:
Not that posh - haha!

If you want to take the SLR go for it, there is so much to take photos of. It's such a good visual experience there.
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I know you right, even with my old compact I was always clicking away. I think I've become fixated on how to get good shots of the bands but Glasto is so much more than the bands. Plenty of opportunities in the day to take many photographs.
 
I live nearby the site, and we have had a a LOT of rain over the last few days, saturday especially - with more forecast midweek.

If it heats up and the sun shines on thurs/fri then you might be okay (as has happened before), but at the moment wellies will be a must as it'll be pretty soft down there. Just gotta hope it dries out a bit before the 1,000s of feet start trampling in it....!

Shame I'm not going this year. Would have like to have taken the camera this time. Maybe I'll hang around the entrance an catch the comers and go-ers!

Hope the weather gets kinder for you all.... it's an amazing experience, wet or dry though!
 
after going last year witha point and shoot, i was really looking forward to taking the dslr only 2 weeks ago the 17-70 got sent of to sigma for repairs, and it still isnt here, even told them on the phone too, still got the 10-22 which should take some great ones at the stone circle, but not sure that and a 50-250 plus a nifty will be enough for crowds etc, can someone put my mind at rest lol
 
To be honest if I had your lens selections I would probably leave the 17-70mm at home anyway. The 10-20 will cover your crowd / people shots, and the 55-250mm will be for the artists. The 50 1.8 would cover any portraits, so that would have you covered! I imagine I'd have the 10-20 on most the time.
 
For informaition; I've decided to take my 450D and I am taking 18-50 F2.8 and a 55-250.
 
DaveKing said:
To be honest if I had your lens selections I would probably leave the 17-70mm at home anyway. The 10-20 will cover your crowd / people shots, and the 55-250mm will be for the artists. The 50 1.8 would cover any portraits, so that would have you covered! I imagine I'd have the 10-20 on most the time.
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thanks for the advice, ive hired a 15-85 before i read your post, will take all except the 50mm, not had much chance to use the 10-22 so i dont no how versatile it will be, but i do know its my sharpest lens, so will give it a good run out, just hope its rain proof:)
 
i normally use av mode at about f9, should i try a lower f no, which i presume lets more light in, ie wide open when light gets low, still trying to get to grips with aperture so any advice is apreciated
 
It depends what you are trying to take photos of. I would use between F4 and F5.6 for groups of 3 or 4. For landscapes I would use F8 to F11, and for stage shots I would look to use as low an aperture as possible.
 
thanks, ill try to remember all that, if you see a confused man with a 550d, please help him out lol, have a great time everyone who`s going, look foeward to some great pictures

Edit to add, should i be still using centre point , or 9 poit focus?, ive tried both both my eyes cant tell any difference, thanks in advance
 
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I use single point focus, and then move the focus point to focus on the eyes of the centre person.
 
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