I've been trying to capture movement of the musicians, etc at rock shows in dark arenas with lights onstage. I'm using a D90 and was wondering if anyone had suggestions on settings. Thanks!!
Most likely if the setting is dark. you should use around 1/30 - 1/40 shutter and around 3 aperture.. that should give you enough light in and will allow you to get a good sharpness on the subject even if it's moving. :)
1/125 is fast enough to freeze the majority of action at gigs, including the drummer and the likes of jumping and swinging hair...
1/60 will decently catch guitarists, singers etc...
Stage lights look good under tungsten or flash white balance, the LED kind, flash is definitely the way to go, keeps the whites white and the rest are almost pure colours anyway...
If you're not miles away even built in flash can sometimes be used as a filler...
Wide apertures are good, more light, over F4 and it'll likely get difficult...
Because of all the darkness usually in the background the lowest acceptable ISO and improving the exposure in post processing usually gives better results since you can brighten with less noise in PP...
I dont agree with 1/30 or 1/40 shutter speed, as hand held the lowest should always be 1/60, otherwise the images are likely to get blurry - either you or the artist will cause movement. I also find that to completely freeze someone jumping in the air, or a drummer it should be on at least 1/250th otherwise you'll have a little bit of blurr somewhere in the shot. a drummers hand or whatnot. You could get a lucky shot, but this is what I've noticed over the years I've been photographing concerts. 1/250th and above are considered fast shutter speeds and I wouldnt go much lower if you want sharp jumping around photographs without flash.
First things first - make sure you've got a good fast lens, a 2.8 or better is the way to go. Then set your camera on spot metering. The reason for that is that at concerts the lighting is very changeable, and if you leave it on matrix, the camera will take in the whole shebang and often leave your images either under or over exposed on the artist or correctly expose the pic and have too much movement. If you've a wide angle and a zoom, take both. I mainly use my 80-200 f2.8 when photographing gigs, nice fast lens that allows me to get someone full length or a portrait.
When I go, I leave it on autofocus. Some people always want manual but I find auto is a lot easier with fast moving stage performers. If its a singer that doesnt do much, then by all means, shoot manual.
Then there is the ISO to chose. Again, it depends on how much light is available. I've shot some concerts where the lights on the artists are so bright I can use as low as 200, leaving the pic nice and crisp. I've also been to other concerts where its so dark, I've shot at 3200. Grainy yes, but better than not get anything at all or having everything so blurry it looks rubbish. If I were you, start at 400 and have a couple of test shots to see if it needs changing.
Personally speaking, dont use flash at concerts. Not only is it banned at most gigs, its annoying for the artist and also leaves the image flat, boring and can light up some tat on stage or create long shadows which again takes away from the pic. I really hate flash at concerts and tbh, concert lights although a pain, can create some wonderful moody or colourful images, so use them to your advantage.
And finally, concert photography is one of the hardest types to do, esp on local gigs rather than big arena's. Be prepared to throw a lot of images away due to the lighting (unless its lit up like daylight). Saying that tho, when you do get a good image, its a fantastic feeling :-)
yup! 1/125 to 1/150 shutter speed will get you a clear shot.. if you have a f2.8 lens.. but if you're using 3.5 to 5.6 then you need to go slower, like about 1/40 depends on the stage light. :)
@rylenlui14 But if the stage light is fairly low (like a lot of concerts) then you'll rarely get a good image on a slow lens and a slow shutter speed. They'd have to be still to get a good sharp image,close or zoomed in (no jumping about/dancing) and also make the ISO 3200. These all limit your photographic possibilities no? Sure, better than nothing..
@blightygal Let me clear this out. in every concert. the light is focused on the stage where the band is, right? So if you unfortunately do not have a (f2,8) lens or below, then you should slow down the shutter to get the right lighting if the light is fairly low. otherwise you'll get a dark photo. but if the light is bright then you'll get the sharp image @ faster shutter speed and even if you use f3.5 - f5.6 lens. Am I the one missing something?! :)
@rylenlui14 Ok, then your original post made more sense. I didnt know that, nor did you mention it before. Yes, its better than nothing, of course it is, but I answered a question about how to get good concert pics as a general question on how to capture movement - and not specifically shooting with a slow lens which is why I disagreed with you.
You are correct in what you say, but I still stand by what I wrote, that it limits the amount of photographic opportunities you can have at a concert.
@rylenlui14 I still disagree with you - there's no nice highlights or contrast to the image, and very little detail. The image is underexposed, sorry. However the one before is much better, although its still a tad underexposed, its sharper, and you can see detail on his clothes, the white reflections of the light on sweat, all helps 'lift' the image. Its much much better and makes the image pop out.
@blightygal ok. check the previous photo's exif info.. still 1/40 3200 iso @ 5.6. maybe I was the one who moved when I took the next photo that's why its not that sharp. :)
@rylenlui14 My point exactly!! You have to be very lucky to get images sharp when shooting speeds that low. I still stand by what I said, slow lenses limit concert photography. Cheers!
My best photos were shot using a nifty-fifty, 1/200 1600 iso @ 2.8 - I had a few with my cheap telephoto, 1/125 1600 iso @4.5 which also came out pretty well.
Only wish I could upload some, but I have to wait for Mike and the Mechanics management to pass their critical eye over them, in case they want to use some!
That said, it helps having the lead singer as a mate, as he comes and stands in front of you for the 3 songs you allowed to shoot, to ensure you get a decent shot!
And I loved the experience and am trying to arrange another go!
@rylenlui14 I do think some of it is luck - you can hold a camera as steady as you like, but if the subject decides to move the same second you press the shutter then the image is lost. Its by its very nature a slow shutter speed, not a fast one!!
No, you're quite right - I lifted them off myspace a couple weeks ago for another discussion and the image quality lifted was bad. Two of them were on disk and I couldnt be bothered to go get them. This one isnt on disk tho, and its much sharper than yours!! It also has more detail. Sorry, I didnt realise this was a pi**ing competition between us, I started out by trying to help someone on here!
@edpartridge glad you enjoyed! I think its great fun too. Hope you get to post some pics soon :-)
Depends on your equipment. You have a D90, so you can dial up the ISO. I just shot a show Sunday with a 10 year old D1h, which is archaic with ISO in comparison. I did not use a fill flash. Unless the band allows it, don't do it. As a musician, depending how close you are, I know it can be annoying.
If you have a kit lens, you will not be able to use a wide opening like 2.8 or better, as the quality and price of the lens does not justify it.
Also, shoot a little faster shutter speed, underexpose a tad. If you have Photoshop, add light with Levels or Dodging.
@blightygal I only have 1 FAV on 365 and it's this ...:
Mike and The Mechanics are playing 'Hyde Park Calling' at the end of June ... I've mentioned to Tim a couple of times that he needs a photographer ... I want the shot taken behind the band when they're bowing to the sea of people!
@edpartridge Deffo, be a great shot! I hope you get your pass - not only because if you get a press pass for the day, you can do lots of other bands too! I love doing festivals.
ps - thanks for your one and only fav. Am chuffed!! ;-)
with digital I just take as many shots as I can, changing the settings and chasing that one single photograph that captures the mood and the moment http://365project.org/patticake/365/2011-03-30 is probably my best (I have NO idea how to get a photo into this post other than via a link)
I shoot a lot of concerts/bands.. Listen to Freida.. I shoot with 2 D90's. One has a 50mm at f2.8 and the other is a 24-70mm also a f2.8. Normally I shoot around 1/125 to 1/200. Depending on the light situation I shoot at 400 ISO but have shot pics up to 1200 ISO. Music photography is very challenging but extremely rewarding in the end...
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1/60 will decently catch guitarists, singers etc...
Stage lights look good under tungsten or flash white balance, the LED kind, flash is definitely the way to go, keeps the whites white and the rest are almost pure colours anyway...
If you're not miles away even built in flash can sometimes be used as a filler...
Wide apertures are good, more light, over F4 and it'll likely get difficult...
Because of all the darkness usually in the background the lowest acceptable ISO and improving the exposure in post processing usually gives better results since you can brighten with less noise in PP...
First things first - make sure you've got a good fast lens, a 2.8 or better is the way to go. Then set your camera on spot metering. The reason for that is that at concerts the lighting is very changeable, and if you leave it on matrix, the camera will take in the whole shebang and often leave your images either under or over exposed on the artist or correctly expose the pic and have too much movement. If you've a wide angle and a zoom, take both. I mainly use my 80-200 f2.8 when photographing gigs, nice fast lens that allows me to get someone full length or a portrait.
When I go, I leave it on autofocus. Some people always want manual but I find auto is a lot easier with fast moving stage performers. If its a singer that doesnt do much, then by all means, shoot manual.
Then there is the ISO to chose. Again, it depends on how much light is available. I've shot some concerts where the lights on the artists are so bright I can use as low as 200, leaving the pic nice and crisp. I've also been to other concerts where its so dark, I've shot at 3200. Grainy yes, but better than not get anything at all or having everything so blurry it looks rubbish. If I were you, start at 400 and have a couple of test shots to see if it needs changing.
Personally speaking, dont use flash at concerts. Not only is it banned at most gigs, its annoying for the artist and also leaves the image flat, boring and can light up some tat on stage or create long shadows which again takes away from the pic. I really hate flash at concerts and tbh, concert lights although a pain, can create some wonderful moody or colourful images, so use them to your advantage.
And finally, concert photography is one of the hardest types to do, esp on local gigs rather than big arena's. Be prepared to throw a lot of images away due to the lighting (unless its lit up like daylight). Saying that tho, when you do get a good image, its a fantastic feeling :-)
You are correct in what you say, but I still stand by what I wrote, that it limits the amount of photographic opportunities you can have at a concert.
check this out. 1/40 3200 iso @ 5.6.
notice the right hand of the guy is a bit blur but you cannot notice it that much.. still a nice photo.
My best photos were shot using a nifty-fifty, 1/200 1600 iso @ 2.8 - I had a few with my cheap telephoto, 1/125 1600 iso @4.5 which also came out pretty well.
Only wish I could upload some, but I have to wait for Mike and the Mechanics management to pass their critical eye over them, in case they want to use some!
That said, it helps having the lead singer as a mate, as he comes and stands in front of you for the 3 songs you allowed to shoot, to ensure you get a decent shot!
And I loved the experience and am trying to arrange another go!
@edpartridge glad you enjoyed! I think its great fun too. Hope you get to post some pics soon :-)
If you have a kit lens, you will not be able to use a wide opening like 2.8 or better, as the quality and price of the lens does not justify it.
Also, shoot a little faster shutter speed, underexpose a tad. If you have Photoshop, add light with Levels or Dodging.
Mike and The Mechanics are playing 'Hyde Park Calling' at the end of June ... I've mentioned to Tim a couple of times that he needs a photographer ... I want the shot taken behind the band when they're bowing to the sea of people!
ps - thanks for your one and only fav. Am chuffed!! ;-)
http://365project.org/patticake/365/2011-03-30 is probably my best (I have NO idea how to get a photo into this post other than via a link)
Thanks so much for the advice!!
awesome! thanks!
Thanks for the really great advice and tips!! Also....awesome photos!!
sounds fun!! yes, it does help to know the band!
I totally appreciate your help...and I'm going to try everyone's advice! Really grateful and thank you all for your replies and advice!!
Kip........it's always about the drummer!!
sorry, I meant Kit
Thanks Mark!!
Absolutely, it is! Glad to see that someone else recognises this. There are never enough drummer photos, after gigs!