First year of Concert Photography

[Corrado_Images]

So 2006 was my first year of Concert Photography and owning a digital camera. In the summer i worked my butt off and learned as much as i could about this subject of photography. I self taught myself and used a Canon XT Rebel with the kit lens. Im going to upgrade to a better lens as soon as i get the money but you can take a look at these for a few! You can view the rest at http://pbase.com/corrado_images/best_of_06

[johnstoy]

Where is this from? Where are you from? Are these your very best shots or your average, middle of the road stuff? What do you think of these pics?

[Corrado_Images]

The top one is from "Sounds of the Underground" a metal and hardcore fest and i went in when it was in Mass. It was an outdoor venue but it was about 10pm and it was my first time ever not using flash haha The second picture is of The Bled at the Vans Warped Tour in Fairfield, Mass. These are average shots for me. For using the kit Rebel and not knowing much im happy with them. A LOT of room to improve. I fiddle with my camera daily and try to learn new things.

[René Damkot]

Best of the bunch is this one (http://www.pbase.com/corrado_images/image/73807530) IMO. Nice shot!

[Corrado_Images]

Yea that was one of my top 5 i think. The only thing i wish i would have captured more was the sky. It was 110 that day and it was all haze. I tried working around it but it didnt work out to well

[DwightMcCann]

I think these (pbase gallery) are quite excellent. A lot of energy and emotion and good flash and shutter drag ... my subjects usually don't allow me to shoot them once they are all sweaty ... or dont' want their double chins to show! :-)

[johnstoy]

Say Corrado,

Rene' did pick one of your winners out...great composition and prize winning subjects...Checked it out earlier...will check out more of your link, a bit later and let you know about my opinion on it...

[CanonXTuser]

jeez corrado, the last one was taking with a kit lens!!!

keep that lens. the last one has serious grungy mojo going for it! A Showstopper shot!

Hope you will stick around and check out and comment on other peoples clips.

[goatee]

I think these (pbase gallery) are quite excellent. A lot of energy and emotion and good flash and shutter drag ... my subjects usually don't allow me to shoot them once they are all sweaty ... or dont' want their double chins to show! :-)

High praise indeed. Dwight is a fantastic concert photographer - pay heed to what he says :D.

[love bug]

very nice for your first year! cheers!

[Corrado_Images]

hey thanks everyone for the kind comments! :D And i will definatly take any constructive criticism on anything. Im pretty happy with the turn out of these with a kit lens haha. I should be updating soon.

[Compact Diss]

Nice shots!

I'm looking forward to those tours coming around this summer! A lot of people from Ma here....

[johnstoy]

The front page of your link to the pictures, shows a lot of very good composition... several of the pics shot at 18mm are real interesting...when enlarged, there is grain showing in some, and might be just the result of low resolution sizing.

[Corrado_Images]

The front page of your link to the pictures, shows a lot of very good composition... several of the pics shot at 18mm are real interesting...when enlarged, there is grain showing in some, and might be just the result of low resolution sizing.
It funny when i look at the front of my pbase website and it shows all the bands ive shot in the past year. It shows me how far along ive come from viewing my first photo with the rebel to my last photo. Yea for some reason i get a lot of noise/grain in my photos and im now sure if its just because of my high iso using a kit lens.

[Corrado_Images]

Nice shots!

I'm looking forward to those tours coming around this summer! A lot of people from Ma here....
Hey thats awesome your from Melrose. A lot of my family lives there and my parents were born and raised there as well as my sister being born there. Awesome

[johnstoy]

It funny when i look at the front of my pbase website and it shows all the bands ive shot in the past year. It shows me how far along ive come from viewing my first photo with the rebel to my last photo. Yea for some reason i get a lot of noise/grain in my photos and im now sure if its just because of my high iso using a kit lens.

I have the kit lens too...I use it in tests against other brands, and I find the pixels break up sooner when enlarged with less expensive and non Canon brand lenses...The kit glass is pretty good, while the more expensive 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8 is a notch, better...The "L" 's retain their resolution at the higher magnifications another notch higher, before they break up too...That might reflect at what looks like "noise" or "grain".

I did enlarging tests while in microbiology, when working with very, very expensive microscope glass for years... And best magnification, and retention of highest resolution, at the limits of extreme magnification is associated with highest quality glass...

So I recommend; save, save, save and buy once...

[Corrado_Images]

I have the kit lens too...I use it in tests against other brands, and I find the pixels break up sooner when enlarged with less expensive and non Canon brand lenses...The kit glass is pretty good, while the more expensive 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8 is a notch, better...The "L" 's retain their resolution at the higher magnifications another notch higher, before they break up too...That might reflect at what looks like "noise" or "grain".

I did enlarging tests while in microbiology, when working with very, very expensive microscope glass for years... And best magnification, and retention of highest resolution, at the limits of extreme magnification is associated with highest quality glass...

So I recommend; save, save, save and buy once...
yea...the past few days ive been contemplating to buy two lenses (canon 85mm f/1.8 and Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8) or just saving up for a while and getting something really nice like a 70-200 or something.

[johnstoy]

yea...the past few days ive been contemplating to buy two lenses (canon 85mm f/1.8 and Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8) or just saving up for a while and getting something really nice like a 70-200 or something.

The Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 is slow at f4.5...Most likely not very usable in at a night, low light venue.

Fast lenses actually are more expensive, because they are a piece of hefty glass...Primes are great, but you need extra bodies...zooms are awesome in range but slightly slow at 2.8...the results though, are fantastic...It's a substantial investment...there is no way around it...

[Corrado_Images]

The Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 is slow at f4.5...Most likely not very usable in at a night, low light venue.

Fast lenses actually are more expensive, because they are a piece of hefty glass...Primes are great, but you need extra bodies...zooms are awesome in range but slightly slow at 2.8...the results though, are fantastic...It's a substantial investment...there is no way around it...
Yea looks like ill need to save up or something nice. What would you think is the best? 70-200 f/2.8 IS?

[johnstoy]

Yea looks like ill need to save up or something nice. What would you think is the best? 70-200 f/2.8 IS?

Ah...I have it...it's awesome, but I can't use it at my local concert venue...

It covers all the bases, from up close to further back, it gives you great access to the show...

trying to encompass the entire band with it will require stepping way back to the rear of the venue...

It will be great at a wedding I'll be doing, later this year...

[blackshadow]

"Best" is what works best for you with your style, the type of venues you shoot etc. From your comments re shooting in very dark venues I would advise against the 70-200 f2.8L IS as you would still be far better with a fast prime for that type of work. What size venues are you shooting? Unless you are shooting medium to large venues a lot the 70-200 is too long for shooting those type of gigs and will stay in your bag most of the time. That won't change no matter how good the lens is.
See my comments in the Lens forum as to my recommendations as to what is "best" for you given the information you have supplied.

[Corrado_Images]

"Best" is what works best for you with your style, the type of venues you shoot etc. From your comments re shooting in very dark venues I would advise against the 70-200 f2.8L IS as you would still be far better with a fast prime for that type of work. What size venues are you shooting? Unless you are shooting medium to large venues a lot the 70-200 is too long for shooting those type of gigs and will stay in your bag most of the time. That won't change no matter how good the lens is.
See my comments in the Lens forum as to my recommendations as to what is "best" for you given the information you have supplied.
I shoot all types of venues. From arenas to small bars. Im usually always up front in the photo area but i want something that i can zoom well with for drummer and getting right into the vocalists face with for those smaller venues yet keep it sharp and bright without using flash

[blackshadow]

In that case you need a selection of lenses ranging from fast primes to fast zooms... there is no one size fits all solution for your needs.
Fast primes for dim lighting in small clubs/bars.
Short zoom - 17-55f2.8 or 24-70f2.8 for better lit clubs
70-200 f2.8 for bigger venues.

[narlus]

I shoot all types of venues. From arenas to small bars. Im usually always up front in the photo area but i want something that i can zoom well with for drummer and getting right into the vocalists face with for those smaller venues yet keep it sharp and bright without using flash

just curious how you landed all these gigs in the photo pit given yr relatively short experience? any secrets?

[Corrado_Images]

just curious how you landed all these gigs in the photo pit given yr relatively short experience? any secrets?
Ive just been working my butt of and emailing as many people as i can. Ive been getting calls from Universal Records too and i have NO idea how they got my phone number. I just got confirmed tonight for the Taste of Chaos tour when it comes to my town. Right now im doing it for the fun and experience and just trying to prove myself and am in the process of doing such with magazines. All the people in here are MUCH better photographers than me and have YEARS more of experience but the only thing i can say is just work hard and send out a bunch of emails and keep the contacts for future reference. Im in the process of trying to get passes to Taking Back Sunday, Underoath and Armor for Sleep as well as My Chemical Romance and Muse. Those two shows should be my hardest pass to get to this date. Its a stressful and nerve racking haha

[goatee]

I love http://www.pbase.com/corrado_images/image/73138633 - it's a great shot, because you get the sharpness from the flash, and the dynamicity from the slow shutter speed - brilliant!

You must have been really close to be able to shoot that at 18mm, but the distortion from being so wide works well also.

[MagicallyDelicious]

great photo's!

[Corrado_Images]

I love http://www.pbase.com/corrado_images/image/73138633 - it's a great shot, because you get the sharpness from the flash, and the dynamicity from the slow shutter speed - brilliant!

You must have been really close to be able to shoot that at 18mm, but the distortion from being so wide works well also.
haha thanks! Yea that is one of my favorite shots of that band. It kind of goes with their style too which is good. I was basically right on top of them at the venue. It was awesome

[narlus]

Ive just been working my butt of and emailing as many people as i can. Ive been getting calls from Universal Records too and i have NO idea how they got my phone number. I just got confirmed tonight for the Taste of Chaos tour when it comes to my town. Right now im doing it for the fun and experience and just trying to prove myself and am in the process of doing such with magazines. All the people in here are MUCH better photographers than me and have YEARS more of experience but the only thing i can say is just work hard and send out a bunch of emails and keep the contacts for future reference. Im in the process of trying to get passes to Taking Back Sunday, Underoath and Armor for Sleep as well as My Chemical Romance and Muse. Those two shows should be my hardest pass to get to this date. Its a stressful and nerve racking haha

i have to assume that for some of these relatively high profile gigs, you'd either need an in w/ the band or management, or have some confirmed assignment from a mag or paper? that's probably the highest hurdle to overcome, i'd think.

[blackshadow]

Great first year... just had a quiet chuckle to myself when I saw your Trivium photos... what's with them wearing their own t shirts? I shot them a couple of weeks ago and one of them did and another friend also shot them recently and they did too!

[Corrado_Images]

Great first year... just had a quiet chuckle to myself when I saw your Trivium photos... what's with them wearing their own t shirts? I shot them a couple of weeks ago and one of them did and another friend also shot them recently and they did too!
You know.....i was wondering the same thing. Who does that? Its the most ridiculous and cocky thing ive seen. They were being asses on stage that night because he couldnt hear himself in his left ear. A joke of a band, not bad, but a joke.

[Corrado_Images]

i have to assume that for some of these relatively high profile gigs, you'd either need an in w/ the band or management, or have some confirmed assignment from a mag or paper? that's probably the highest hurdle to overcome, i'd think.
Yea i just email the band publicist or email the bands record label and about 80% of the time i get the hook up. Ive been trying to get passes to some bigger shows but i doubt ill get them.

[narlus]

Yea i just email the band publicist or email the bands record label and about 80% of the time i get the hook up. Ive been trying to get passes to some bigger shows but i doubt ill get them.


damn, that's pretty good. i have middling success w/ even the low-tier indie/experimental bands at times, and i tend to think my portfolio is pretty damn ok. if i have a writing or mag assignment, it's not a problem, but when i don't, it's a minority of the time i get the hookup.

is there any directory for band publicists? if they aren't listed on the site, how does one go about finding out that info?

[Corrado_Images]

damn, that's pretty good. i have middling success w/ even the low-tier indie/experimental bands at times, and i tend to think my portfolio is pretty damn ok. if i have a writing or mag assignment, it's not a problem, but when i don't, it's a minority of the time i don't get the hookup.

is there any directory for band publicists? if they aren't listed on the site, how does one go about finding out that info?
Like..im still trying to find all the tricks of getting to a publicist. But when you see the publicist email address on the bands website (say their email is: frank@gotrecords.com) Go to your url and type gotrecords.com and it will basically give you an overview of what bands they publicize which can expand your band listings. Your photos are a HELL of a lot better than mine and you have a lot of experience too so you shouldnt have a problem with getting a photo pass. When you email them make sure you tell them a little about your background and some of your biggest things that have happened to you while being a photographer, they like that. Ive already wound up getting email addresses to Alternative Press Magazine, one of the biggest US Alternative Rock Magazine. If you do interviews too, magazine LOVE that.

[narlus]

ok, i've got my work cut out for me now...

the stooges (iggy & the asheton bros, watt on bass now) are playing boston on apr 7th, and the orpheum is a place you cannot bring a camera into w/o credentials...let's see how my efforts pan out...

[blackshadow]

Narlus - I'll PM you Iggy & The Stooges Tour Manager's email address.

[DwightMcCann]

Narlus - I'll PM you Iggy & The Stooges Tour Manager's email address.
Hey, Richard, how about PM'ing all us "regulars" your entire Tour Manager Address Book? Just Kidding!

[blackshadow]

Hey, Richard, how about PM'ing all us "regulars" your entire Tour Manager Address Book? Just Kidding!

Ha! That is my entire tour manager address book!

[René Damkot]

Iggy and the Stooges... Nice.
You know what their rider (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1004061iggypop12.html) says about filming?

[narlus]

that rider is great. seen it before, and it deserves another reading. :D

[blackshadow]

The rider is excellent - I have had it bookmarked on my computer for a while. I was lucky enough to meet some of the band and crew when they were out here last year - all great people.

Now where is my sidekick so I can be part of a pantomime horse!