to flash or not to flash?

[notapro]

I am having my first go at concert photography tomorrow night and was just doing some review for inspiration and I saw it mentioned that you shouldn't use flash. Is this a hard and fast rule or does it only apply if smoke/fog is used. The concert is being held in a small outdoor bandshell, where the roof comes about half way over the stage, and while I haven't checked into the fog thing, I don't think it will linger too much in that set-up except at the back of the bandshell. So I was planning to use flash after dark. Is this not a good idea?

I admit I did search briefly, but probably could have searched harder, so my apologies if this has been asked before.

[johnstoy]

What gear will you use? What's your fastest lens?

Flash usually blows out the stage lighting highlights...
I like to retain all of the stage lighting to help enhance the atmosphere...

Entertainers usually prefer no flash photography and venues enforce it...

[robbie321]

If you can avoid it, try not to use the flash. You can't capture the proper atmosphere if you blast the stage with flat white light.

[notapro]

My fastest lens is a 4.5 at its widest, and I don't like to go above ISO 800, which is why I was planning to use flash. It's just an independent free concert at a park, so there won't be venue enforcement, and there really won't be any stage lighting except flood lights as I understand it. The majority of the concert will be held before it is really dark, though the last of the three bands will start after dark.

Anyway, I think you answered my question since I don't need to worry about stage lighting effects, so thank you!

[notapro]

If you can avoid it, try not to use the flash. You can't capture the proper atmosphere if you blast the stage with flat white light.


thanks! I will try to avoid it as much as I can. when I do use it, I don't really intend to just blast the stage, but I know what you're saying :)

[gcobb]

So many topics on this in here. :) I choose no.

[saturnin]

all depends...

i like taking pics with flash of the crowds @ a show especialy if htey be roudy.

if the light bloody sux i have to use flash for a few pics but i really dont like doing it.

hard to say-depends on the location and the light thats aviable-most dives have ****ty ass lighting so u have to be prepared for it.
Shooting clubs with a anything above 2.8 is prolly not recommended unless their light is amazing.

[narlus]

definitely get a faster lens if you plan on shooting live music more often.

i don't like to use flash, but will if there's no other alternative. more often than not, the results are lesser. probably says more about my technique than anything else, though.