Last night I did some concert photography. It wasn't my first time (here is my first time: http://365project.org/rafesmar/365/2013-06-29), but this time I intended to be better prepared, so I did some quick googling. And I followed most of the tips I found...
I shooted with my 50mm f/1.8. It's a lens I've not used enough, I think, and I'm happy with its performance. I used Aperture Priority (1.8), with ISO on auto (limited to 1600), and that gave me fairly decent shutter speeds. I also dialed a -1 EV, because I usually like more when indoors and night shots are slightly underexposed: otherwise I find them too light/yellowish...
I used occasionally Spot metering (that's the tip I found online), but mostly I think my camera performed better using Evaluative metering. Maybe it was because the lights weren't that bad, or because I was relatively near the action. Luckily, being a small place, and not too crowded, I was able to move around freely.
I used RAW (really RAW+JPEG), but I'm mostly happy with the JPEGs SOOC. I don't really find distracting colour casts, weird white-balance situations or any light problems where I need to tweak the RAW (something I'm not really used to do, on the other hand). Anyway, I think I'll enjoy working with this RAW files...
I used fully automatic autofocus in one-shot mode, should I've used some continuous mode?
I didn't used multiple shooting, but I was really "shutter happy". As a matter of fact (and shooting RAW...) I think I filled the buffer several times...
I also was really lucky with my subject: he looked like the perfect bluesman and he did a really lively performance (the next act wasn't as photogenic...by far...). And the music was great, too!!!
Something I'm not totally happy is about some framing issues: too many times I've cut parts of the guitar. Of course, I have pics where the guitar is fully on the frame, but then performer's expression is not as interesting...Well: you have to choose...
Anyway, what do you think of these pictures? How would you improve them? Do you have any tips regarding this kind of shooting?
I have done a lot of attempting shots at Blues performances. I really like to try and zoom in on a hand or guitar or expression. My favorite of these is the last one with the lighting on the guitar. Microphones really get in the way so I try to get them when they step aside but it works in the last one. Nice work.
I've never tried concert photography so I can't offer any advice, but I think you've done a great job. I find your descriptions of the settings you've used very helpful and the exposure looks perfect.
@dh The settings are simply a collection of some of the various tips I found online: the merit is theirs... Thank you
@jannkc I too like that kind of zoom. As a matter of fact, I got some on my first try (back in June), but they were fairly noisy. I tried to "rescue" them, and got them in black and white, but I'm still not too happy:
I don't feel qualified to critique anything, but I'll provide some feedback on what I personally see when viewing:
- #1 Photo: The microphone is not intruding giving me a mostly unobstructed view of the artist and guitar. The composition includes the drums with some lighting and fog effects setting.
- #2 Photo: I like it, particularly the light bloom and rays. The slight bit of motion blur on the hands/fingers lets me know he's bending that guitar. While I do like the fact it portrays the artist really belting out a singing note, for some reason the fact I can see into his mouth distracts me a little. Again, art is subjective so this is just my personal experience when viewing, my brain tells me this is a good capture though.
- #3 Photo: I also like this one but find myself wishing the guitar head was not obstructing his face.
- #4 Photo: My favorite. This is an absolute winner for me. Yes the microphone stands right out, but for me it really works in this picture.
Really nice shots overall, I can only hope the first time I take some photos at an event that they are this good. Thanks for sharing!
@rellimdj Thank you for your critique/feedback: sure you're qualified!!!
#2. It's true about the open mouth... the musician was really "theatrical" and some of this expressions can be a little "extreme"...
#3. I have a couple shots when you can see his face (or, at least, his hat...). I'm planning to (maybe) using them for a photocontest centered in the festival, so I've kept them in order to not "jinx" it (besides some other considerations the rules may impose...). Though I'm also thinking about using a version of #4 (maybe with a tighter crop...), so...
Once again, thank you for your input: it's really appreciated.
The first and the 4th were my favorites! I agree with the guitar cutting of his face in the 3rd one. The second one, I think, would have been a little better with a slightly different angle. Great job!
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
@dh The settings are simply a collection of some of the various tips I found online: the merit is theirs... Thank you
@jannkc I too like that kind of zoom. As a matter of fact, I got some on my first try (back in June), but they were fairly noisy. I tried to "rescue" them, and got them in black and white, but I'm still not too happy:
- #1 Photo: The microphone is not intruding giving me a mostly unobstructed view of the artist and guitar. The composition includes the drums with some lighting and fog effects setting.
- #2 Photo: I like it, particularly the light bloom and rays. The slight bit of motion blur on the hands/fingers lets me know he's bending that guitar. While I do like the fact it portrays the artist really belting out a singing note, for some reason the fact I can see into his mouth distracts me a little. Again, art is subjective so this is just my personal experience when viewing, my brain tells me this is a good capture though.
- #3 Photo: I also like this one but find myself wishing the guitar head was not obstructing his face.
- #4 Photo: My favorite. This is an absolute winner for me. Yes the microphone stands right out, but for me it really works in this picture.
Really nice shots overall, I can only hope the first time I take some photos at an event that they are this good. Thanks for sharing!
#2. It's true about the open mouth... the musician was really "theatrical" and some of this expressions can be a little "extreme"...
#3. I have a couple shots when you can see his face (or, at least, his hat...). I'm planning to (maybe) using them for a photocontest centered in the festival, so I've kept them in order to not "jinx" it (besides some other considerations the rules may impose...). Though I'm also thinking about using a version of #4 (maybe with a tighter crop...), so...
Once again, thank you for your input: it's really appreciated.