Jodi Friedman at the MCPActions Blog posted this bit of advice (http://mcpactions.com/blog/2010/01/12/12-helpful-pieces-of-advice-on-photographing-gymnastics/) regarding shooting a gymnastics meet and how to overcome the challenges in that environment. What caught my attention is how in her list, a lot of the same techniques are utilized in concert photography.
So, you got a great camera (DSLR) for Christmas, and a friend of yours in a band is playing at the local bar. I would HIGHLY advise against shooting in Auto or P. I wouldn’t even trust shooting in aperture priority (Av) mode.
Check out the list mentioned for starters, and here’s a few additions:
1. Keep your shutter speed between 1/60th and 1/200th. Anything over that and you will most likely underexpose (your pics will be black with specks of outline).
2. Some bars allow flash, unlike concerts. Check with the band or the bartender before you start blowing the flash everywhere.
3. If you can, spend around $100 on a 50mm f1.8 lens if you don’t already own one. Volumes have been posted about the fun of this lens. It sucks in a ton of light, and the focal length is near equivalent to the human eye. You’ll get the feeling from the photos that you were there.
4. If it’s a concert, there’s nearly always a pattern to the lighting scheme. Watch for it and time your shots. In a bar, it will most likely be stationary lighting. Find a good angle.
5. Get as close as you can without getting thrown out.
Oh, and have fun. You’ll have great shots, great memories and great times.
