Nightclub Photography anyone? [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

langer

15th of March 2005 (Tue), 11:45

Has anyone any experience in shooting bands and people in nightclubs and bars? I use 300D + 540ez (on manual) + 20-35 2.8-3.5 Tokina until now I switch my Flash to 420ex. Though I havent yet tried to shoot with the 420ex yet.

The 540ez is surprisingly flexable to shoot on manual mode. selecting from 1/32 to full power I can have a lot of control over the lighting. I also tried shooting with 50mm 1.8 mkII good lens it is however for live band photography I can rarely use the 1.8 apreture as it is too shallow. Plus the focal length is too long (equivelent to about 80mm on 135 format) most of the time I get to go very close to the performer. so I prefre 20-35.

Are there anyone out there on this forum who does similar sort of photography as me?

blundar

15th of March 2005 (Tue), 15:00

With a canon 20D it is simple:
Crank up camera iso to 3200, shoot in Manual mode, adjust shutter to 1/80sec, adjust fstop for a good exposure. If you can get away with it, switch to iso1600, and readjust fstop.

For a 300D it is a bit more difficult because of the digital noise. The most I would dial in is iso 800. Then adjust fstop to f2.8, and pray that shutter can go low enough that you won't get camera shake. The limit with your 20-35 lens it would be 1/40sec, with your 50mm, probably 1/60sec.

Vegas Poboy

15th of March 2005 (Tue), 16:06

Every now & then I shoot inside clubs with the 20D & the 550 /580 flash. For me I set the ISO to 800 & shoot f/5.6@ 1/30. Then I adjust my settings from there. The flash will stop most of the action, dragging the shutter gives more ambient light to the room/stage.
Now thats for the Hard fast music the softer side of music I use a faster shutter speed to highlight the singer & the surrounding area darker.

cmM

15th of March 2005 (Tue), 16:11

yes, sometimes...

http://www.cmuntean.net/images/dec16sbar/

I shot those with my rebel, 550EX, and either 17-40 or 50 1.8

langer

16th of March 2005 (Wed), 16:27

I am really looking forward to trying out my new 420ex with the 300D in the next shoot.

noise is a great problem at high iso for the D. Shutterspeeds I can get away with some like 1/30 with relatively shake free fotos. but in a nighclub environment If i am close to a massive speaker, then that would increase to 1/200. I am talking about speakers giving out vibrations that shook my glass off the table. :o

I think in the long run, I'll get myself either a 20D or rob a bank and go for a 1Ds haha one day. :D

EricKonieczny

16th of March 2005 (Wed), 21:41

I shoot about 80% of my stuff in nightclubs for DJ's and bands.

I use the 20D with a EF 28-105, 3.5-4.5
bulb mode, with a 580 EX in ETTL and with the bounce flash, sometimes usuing the curtain setting if it calls for it.

Here is my latest gallery from last weekend. It was actually my first event with my new 20D, I got it that day.

Click Here (http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/list.php?exhibition=21&u=1297%7C26%7C...)

Use the menu on the upper right and click the Datail Listing Type 2 for EXIF data of each picture

http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/Snap_1_Year_76.jpg http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/Snap_1_Year_43.jpg
http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/snap45.jpg

langer

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 03:14

Nice pics :D I neeeeed to get a 20D man. second curtain sync is very useful. but i cant have on 300D.

Mike Panic

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 10:05

i worked in the electronic music industry for 4+ years - the majority of the time shooting film and a p&s digital as this was 5+ years ago now...

in any event - the advice to crank iso to 3200 is wrong - unless you cannot use a flash.. and even then its wrong

your key words: slow-sync rear curtain flash

shoot 1/2 second, f/5.6, shoot off your flash on rear curtain sync - play around w/ those - using 100 and 200iso

if anyone needs - ill go more into depth.. but capturing vivid colors is only really possibly and slow iso w/ longer shutter speeds, and some motion blur is (to me) perfectly accpetable as these are moving people - much in the same way panning shots for motorsports are prefered to show the background as a blur to show movement

Mike Panic

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 10:07

here is KMFDM in philly in oct. 2003 - http://www.mikepanic.com/photos/KMFDM_Pig_Bile_Concert_Trocadero_Philadelphia

the shot below is of www.thekissofdeath.net from about 2 weeks ago - my 550 flash was giving me problems (turned out to be an off camera cord issue) w/ rear curtain sync - but this shot was taken w/ 1st curtain sync

http://www.mikepanic.com/photos/albums/randomsingles/abm.jpg

blundar

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 10:39

If you are allowed to use a flash, then you can drag the shutter. I typically shoot at 1/30sec iso100 & iso200, f4 to f2.8. At these setting, motion blurr is not too much but still visible. For fast dancers, I up the shutter to 1/60sec. The whole idea is to show some of the stage lighting in the photos.

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=06P30005000211&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=06P30005000185&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1
http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventorder?photo=06P30005000001&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1

langer

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 11:32

I agree with Mike's aproach. shots with motion blur creates a more intersting pic. I am still learning and experimenting in this field. Mike if you could tell us a bit more about your experience it's be great. :)

Mike Panic

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 13:17

langer - my personal site is www.mikepanic.com - read the bio - it has some good info and under the catagory "electronica" is some of the rave shots ive done.

let me know if you have more specific questions

langer

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 14:09

KevC

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 14:19

langer: ever considered using the drebel hack? I'm going to buy a 420EX soon...

langer

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 14:30

yea its a very tempting idea u know. But I can't risk anything F-ing up on my camera. I need to do shoots on a weekly basis for work. I will if I got 2 bodies hehe. I know the hack can release a lot more functions and FEC I can do with. hey I just got a 420ex. its good. although I won't use it untill next Friday on a Proper shoot but so far I been messing around at home and it's been good. Beats my currently manualy operated 540ez anyway :lol:

KevC

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 14:38

Hehe. I haven't done it yet, I'm still really worried about messing it up. I'm gonna wait till the local Bestbuy has the RebelXT in stock... ;)

Mike Panic

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 16:18

cool shots on your site man! There is one effect I am interested in trying. The Multiple exposure thing you did with some of your shots. I think my 300D won't allow for that tho...

no second curtain sync, no multi exposure...

I neeeeed a 20D... or 1D :P

im assuming you are talking of the girl clapping her hands? its actually on a film body and longer exposure, maybe 1/3-1 full second, lord knows i dont remember... in any event, no flash. this was a result of VERY bright strobes.

one of the main keys in nightclub photography is - if they don't have good lighting, you wont get as good of shots... a lot of those photos were taken in [at the time] philly's largest club - which had one of the most insane lighting systems and sound systems... the strobes that they used were above the dj booth, which was elivated above the dance floor a good 15-18' or more... and they were a bank of airport landing lights.. switch attached to them and someone manually turned them on and of on and off when they wanted to get attention or during certain dj's sets.. they were effing blinding! not 100% sure that was the case w/ that clapping photo - may be just the normal strobes thye had installed... in any event, the strobes are what made that "multi exposure" look and feel :)

langer

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 16:26

if they don't have good lighting, you wont get as good of shots...

yes mate, can't agree with you more there. I been to venues where they have nothing but shear blackness at the background but 1 or 2 spot lights on the performer. dreadful scene so I ended up shooting closeups most of the time :lol:

EricKonieczny

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 16:39

To be honest, the majority of my photos on my websites were not with a great camera. They were with a Sony 717 w/ external flash, so the the equipment does not matter that much. It just helps.

http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/Erick_Morillo_.jpg http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/Hyde.jpg http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/photos/small/Above_the_Crowd.jpg

There are so many more photos of this style in my Nightlife and DJ galleries with all EXIT data.

http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/list.php?exhibition=9

http://www.ekreating.com/gallery/list.php?exhibition=1

KevC

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 17:06

All these photos make me wanna take my camera to a club.

I'm going in 2 weeks actually. Not an electronica club, but a more formal dancing (latin/ballroom) club. So it shouldn't be as dark, or upbeat. Thing is, I wanna dance and shoot at the same time. Hm... I guess it's the same predicament as the wedding photographer not being able to be part of the bridal party :( I guess I'll hafta make do with my little ixus.

langer

17th of March 2005 (Thu), 17:15

haha that sounds fun KevC. I dunno what it's like over in Canada or the States, but here in the UK some clubs are not as keen on clubbers bringing cameras in. I always check with the clubs before hand If I am on a job. I get photo pass from them first. Otherwise I get stop at the door by bouncers.

Mike Panic

18th of March 2005 (Fri), 15:34

langer

18th of March 2005 (Fri), 18:15

I now make a habit of checking with the clubs before I bring my gear. It's one thing to bring your digital compact job into a club. It is however totally another thing to bring a digital SLR into a club with a big dirty speedlite attached to it via a off-camera cord.... somehow more intimadating and they might think we're paparazzi's hunting for the odd celeb shot. Most smaller venues are cool with it tho.

Steve Parr

18th of March 2005 (Fri), 18:29

If I'm going to shoot a band at a club, the band knows I'll be there, so there's generally no problem with the doorman (or a cover charge!). Here are a couple shots I've taken:

http://onstagephotography.com/images/chrisatdreamstreet.jpg

http://onstagephotography.com/images/joshatdreamstreet.jpg

http://onstagephotography.com/images/johnatbrick.jpg

Steve

DocFrankenstein

22nd of March 2005 (Tue), 19:34

Hacked rebel has 2nd curtain flash if u use shutter speeds of 1/10th and faster

langer

23rd of March 2005 (Wed), 03:15

yea I know about the Hack and all but don't want to mess around with it just incase I F' it up. I use this camera for work u see?

Has anyone got any bad experiences with the 300D hack?

EricKonieczny

26th of March 2005 (Sat), 10:17

here in the us for some time it was near impossible to get camera's into nightclubs and raves - too many undercover stings going on and they got worried

once i had a magazine behind me to back me and my creditentials, and proved my work was about the evening and not showing drug use or the bad things - i had nearly an open door at any club from nyc to dc

Yeah, I hear ya. I have covered awards shows to musical tours and Fashion shows and security can be tight and it is good though. When I lived in South Florida and worked in South Beach clubs, i was have my credentials around my neck and get stopped at least 3 or 4 times a night by different bouncers and managers, if they didn't know me personally.

I have only ever been asked to leave one event, because the owner didn't want any pictures of celebrities being taken. I had arranged eveything with the manager but the owner had final say so. They actually escorted me out the door.

american3g

28th of August 2006 (Mon), 14:51

i found some good shots in the gallery of an LA club website: http://www.moodla.com/

looks like the photographer used the available light and flash only on a few ocassions. i've been to MOOD before and it's pretty dim with backlit walls

hydrogen

31st of October 2006 (Tue), 12:38

I do a lot of nightclub / bar based work and over time I have had my creative moments! When I take shots, the least I want is a well exposed shot of the punters and a nice ambient background.

I shoot in manual with my Sigma 10-20mm and a 430ex, not forgetting the all important omnibounce. I'd generally set my apeture up to 5.6 or maybe a bit higher to avoid DOF being too narrow. Then I'd expose the backgound to -1EV (which would bring the shutter to maybe 1/10 or slower) then shoot and see what I get. I'd adjust the ISO up to 800 maximum to get a decent lit background if I had to. 400 works very well noramally though.

I do like to mess around a bit with second curtain sync on my 430ex, but it's often hard to get people to ignore the first metering flash. I do find good punters that will let me mess around for a while getting pics of them dancing.

www.stockportlife.co.uk/photos (http://www.stockportlife.co.uk/photos) is where i'm at!

Papaw

31st of October 2006 (Tue), 20:39

I have never tried to shoot performers but love the atmosphere of a club or bar that shows up in photographs. I never use flash and have really enjoyed using the 35L in such situations. These were taken in a very dimly lit bar with no flash.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/jdewell/th_IMG_4495.jpg (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/jdewell/IMG_4495.jpg)
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/jdewell/th_IMG_4487.jpg (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/jdewell/IMG_4487.jpg)
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/jdewell/th_IMG_4463.jpg (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/jdewell/IMG_4463.jpg)

dansumption

12th of April 2007 (Thu), 09:55

I do a lot of band and nightclub photography, and I use a mixture of any and every approach available to me. I don't have a "proper" flash, i.e. one with metering, but I do have several cheapo second-hand flash units and some radio-controlled remote flash triggers from ebay, which allows me to move the flash further away from the camera and get more interesting lighting.

But often I don't use any flash, instead I use a combination of shooting at 800/1600/3200 ISO, slowing down the shutter speed, and using a fast lens (50mm F/1.4 USM). I find that there is no "one size fits all" approach for this kind of photography, it all depends on the venue, the lighting, the atmosphere and how much I have drunk that night.

You can see lots of examples of the kinds of think I do on my party photography website (http://danshotme.com).

blackshadow

12th of April 2007 (Thu), 17:14

There is a huge different between shooting bands and shooting nightclubs or punters at gigs.

For shooting bands I suggest you take a look in the Performing Arts section on this site. My preference is not to use flash unless absolutely necessary when covering a band. Fast lenses are your friends and mandatory if you are serious about shooting live shows.

For shooting people out clubbing or at gigs depends if you are after a shutter drag look or well exposed in focus shots of people.

Blundars tips for shutter drag up there are good.

For well exposed shots of patrons try shooting in M mode on ISO 400, f5.6, shutter 1/125 - bounce your flash when you can and use the controls to vary your flash output to get proper exposure.