Nottingham Royal Centre

ab2012

ab2012

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alan
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Going to a concert there in November.I'll be upstairs about 20 rows back from the stage.Assuming cameras will be allowed, any suggestions for a lens for reasonable closeups and also taking in shots of the whole band. Wondering too about disturbing others. I know others will be taking photos.So any advice re lenses, settings etc would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
 
Don't bother,just relax and enjoy the show.

You won't get anything usable, unless you happen to have a 400mm f/2.8.
DSLRS are rarely let into events anyway. If it is you'll probably need 2.8 glass or faster
 
Avoid flash if you're sat in the crowd, it becomes infuriating for people sat around you.

Depending on the genre of the concert, it might be quite dark so you may want some you can open up really wide like f2.8 or better.

Range... Hard to say, venues vary greatly. Something that will go up to 200-300mm should suffice quite easily.

If you keep having to stretch up, or have you arms flailing about in all directions at all angles whilst you take photos, you may want to consider anyone sat behind you or to your sides as it could be quite distracting for them.
 
They probably won't mind that as much as it wont be viewed as "professional", but you may still struggle to get usable shots due to distance and light.
 
Know what you mean. So how are these people getting great shots (non-pro) at similar venues? I really want to do this....and I'll still enjoy the show :)
 
Possibly getting lucky with lighting or have made arrangements with the venue to get good vantage points despite not being pro?

Got any examples you can link us to?
 
I'll try find some, but I think the relevant forums have gone now.
 
As others have mentioned, you're unlikely to get a DSLR in. I shoot a lot of gigs and unless I am shooting a relatively small venue, have to get permission from the act's tour manager or PR to take my gear (and this permission is only given because I shoot for a publication, requests from individuals with no press affiliation are generally refused if not outright ignored).

With a compact, you could feasibly shoot in Tv mode or full manual and get okay shots, but they're unlikely to have good clarity. Also, as others have said, don't use flash. It annoys everyone.

To be honest, my recommendation would be to simply not take a camera, and just enjoy the show. As a regular concert goer, I find the brightly lit LCD screens of cameras around me in the audience quite irritating.
 
Thanks. Not giving in though!
At least it's not a Van Morrison concert!
 
OK, I know the venue well.

Honestly? Don't bother. DSLR will be absolute complete no/no. Compact, they will ask you to stop if they see you - but might be useful for the end of the show when they get more relaxed (Last song or two really).

You say upstairs, is that first tier?
 
I went to a venue with a photo pass and they wouldnt let my camera in.

I'd check with the venue first, as if you turn up and they refuse entry, youll be stuffed.
Thankfully the lead singer of the band who I happen to know very well walked past as I was being told I couldnt come in with the camera, and he tore the security a new one.
 
RichardtheSane said:
OK, I know the venue well.

Honestly? Don't bother. DSLR will be absolute complete no/no. Compact, they will ask you to stop if they see you - but might be useful for the end of the show when they get more relaxed (Last song or two really).

You say upstairs, is that first tier?
Click to expand...

Yes first tier.Thanks for advice.
 
I'm assuming this is in the Concert Hall

http://www.trch.co.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=33762&p=0
Based on this steating plan... I last went to see the Circus of Horrors and was on the first tier row A seat 6. This is a pretty close to the stage (Closer than the plan suggests).

I took my SX220HS and grabbed a few shots near the end of the show (Photography was allowed if attendees purchased a program).

35mm equivalent of 95mm, ISO1600 1/60th F4.5. This is minimal crop, but crop in and the detail is gone (Compact camera...). Good for web use only tbh. Lighting was pretty good, could be brighter and I had to go totally manual to avoid blowing faces (and still did a bit).

Circus of Horrors by Richard Lindley, on Flickr

As soon as you get in the centre section of the first tier, while you have an excellent view to watch, with a camera you would need to have a lot more reach than 90mm.
 
If I could get results like the above I'd be happy.It's for personal memories, that's all.I tried a Fuji Finepix at Harrogate Centre and the results were useless.Some form of zoom would be needed.
Yes, it's the Nottingham Royal Centre.
 
faddius said:
Possibly getting lucky with lighting or have made arrangements with the venue to get good vantage points despite not being pro?

Got any examples you can link us to?
Click to expand...
rufus2.jpg


rufus1.jpg


with apologies to whoever took these photos.
 
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In those photos, I think the photographer is significantly closer than you will be (I'm thinking first few rows) as it doesn't look particularly flattened like you get with longer telephotos.

He also has the benefit of a pretty good spot light on the zebra guy that isn't so bright as to loose all the detail in the shadows.
 
faddius said:
In those photos, I think the photographer is significantly closer than you will be (I'm thinking first few rows) as it doesn't look particularly flattened like you get with longer telephotos.

He also has the benefit of a pretty good spot light on the zebra guy that isn't so bright as to loose all the detail in the shadows.
Click to expand...

Yep,that's what I was thinking.He/she has a good seat.Mine will be ok but perhaps too far for decent photos.
 
You could take a camera and give it a go. It may come out ok, but I wouldn't get too hung up about trying to get good shots incase you struggle to and subsequently don't enjoy the show. If it works out then great, but I'd be prepared to just put the camera away, sit back and enjoy the show if I found myself struggling or getting frustrated.
 
Yes.I suppose it's just not very often this opportunty comes along, but you're right. Perhaps someone else will be going from here who'll take some.
 
As in the photos...Rufus Wainwright and band ( including Teddy (son of Richard) Thompson). Warm-up band is Adam Cohen (son of Leanard) with cellist/guitarist Mai Bloomfield and multi-instrumentalist Michael Chavez.
 
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