Want to try shooting concerts

[Claire]

I've only shot outdoors concerts before, but I'm buying a Tamron 28-75/2.8 & 80-200/2.8 end of this month. I hope to try out some more concert shooting this year. :)

Liseberg, an amusement park will have outdoor concerts, but I'm thinking of trying indoor stuff too.

Only got my 300D, so I know noise may be an issue, but otherwise, are the lenses ok?

If emailing bands/artists/managers/venues, how best to present myself?

[just connor]

The glass should work fine, 2.8 is more than acceptable if you have some pretty good lighting. I've found the best way to get hooked up with better known local bands/venues is to just go out and shoot it some time and then introduce yourself to whoever is running it, tell them you took some shots they might like and leave contact info. 9 times out of 10 i'll get a call and after that they will start asking you back more and more if they like your work.

[gcobb]

A 2.8 is acceptable with the best case scenerio. At larger events where lighting is controlled and professional you can shoot f/2.8 and ISO800 sometimes but there is still no guarantee. "If you have some pretty good lighting" comes into play every time you fire one off, regardless of the venue.

I recommend shooting at smaller clubs and learning the hard way. It'll make you appreciate shooting a large show a lot more. Also, I think there's an FAQ thread at the top of this forum with great material in it that is very worthy of reading.

[Claire]

Thanks guys. I've read the FAQ a few times. :)

I'll start out with small clubs & the occasional outdoor stuff. Not aiming for high end venues, just casual shooting. My friend in Cork has done a lot of shooting in small pubs, clubs etc & it seems to work well for him. He has fun. :)

[just connor]

i always have fun regardless, take some photos and listen to (hopefully) good music :) don't forget to enjoy the show, too, though. don't want to live life looking through a viewfinder!

[DwightMcCann]

No, Claire, it's too hard and takes too much time and bands are a pain and, well, um, er, ah, it's just not worth the trouble. Landscapes would be nice! Just kidding ... I anxiously await your posts.

[Claire]

I'll have fun, but if writing/calling/talking to organisers or artists, how should I approach them without looking like an idiot?

[DwightMcCann]

I'll have fun, but if writing/calling/talking to organisers or artists, how should I approach them without looking like an idiot?
Read through threads here that talk about just this issue ... there are several if I recall ... just look for the threads with LOTS of replies! ;)

[Claire]

Hehe
Give me a good search term! Be patient lads, I'm new in this section of POTN! ;)

[taygull]

Claire,

You are going to learn real quick the guys who need the shots can't afford it and the ones who can afford it have a large management staff who don't use very many live performance shots. Go look at the websites of some of the larger artist. You really won't see very many shots that are not supplied to them by "fans".

I'll be honest, bands and artist really don't use very many life performance shots. Most of them like the lesser quality as they think it has some "edgy appeal" to it and they are usually free.

Your best bet is to work a deal with a venue who wants quality images so they can put forth a better image of what they have to offer clients and booking artist. Get creative, find someone close who will let you be the house photographer, work out a trade for.....from there you can start your networking.

I met one of my best clients this way, he got some great images when he didn't really have any. He is a fairly large regional act but he has several other things going on which have landed me commercial shoots with him. He also has a major production that will start through one of the major hotel/entertainment venue's in the Dallas area. I will be the "event photographer" for these corporations who hire this production to perform at the events. The neat thing about this is the hotel group (a major one) is doing all the selling of his show to the conventions they host.

My point is shoot concert/live performance because you really enjoy it, don't count on it to pay for all that fancy new equipment. There are very few who have really good gigs where they can make decent money off of these guys. I know I can shoot one medium wedding and make more than 5-7 shoots for these guys.

[bmoguy]

Hehe
Give me a good search term! Be patient lads, I'm new in this section of POTN! ;)

Here's one I found that had a lot of info:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=191016&highlight=credentials

Good search terms:
credentials
photo pass
media pass

[Claire]

Tayguy,
Excellent advice.:) I'll keep it in mind & see if I can start by just shooting to learn, then see about a partnership with a venue.

And I'm not thinking I'll earn cash from shooting concerts etc. I'm too new at this anyway & don't even know if I'm any good at it! Portraits & weddings will have to pay the lenses.;)