Maintaing creativity at concerts?

[ishmelly]

I've noticed that I've been shooting a lot of band performances since the beginning of fall.

This has been my staple shot. Initially I was happy with it. Clean. No blur. Perfect. But then I started to notice that when I shot like this it was too boring. Sure it was a "clean" photo but it seemed boring to me.
http://mellylee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/musicspeak_014.jpg

So then I tried to explore different perspectives. What do you guys think? and any advice on how to make new creative images? Thats one of my current worries, that I will over use the composition of a photo to the point that my body of work will appear mundane and lack in diversity.

http://mellylee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/antstocknov3_007.jpg

http://mellylee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/shocktober09_017.jpg

Thanks in Advance!

[chauncey]

3rd one is quite nice

[Mu Eugene]

Third one is nice as the inclusion of concertgoers create the feeling of being there.

You noted perspective - taken literally you could rent different lenses such as fisheye or supertelephoto to either move even closer/take the scene in or perhaps get yourself off the stage or the wings and shoot from a different vantage point.

Are you scared of heights? I've seen examples where the vantage point of the camera was above the performer - which was very effective for piano/keyboard performer.

You may have to go through a lot of irrelevant materials, but I've seen some shots that may give you further ideas in the following thread:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=415099

[Flo]

That last one is excellent.

[Lonnie]

#3!!! WOW!

Reminded me of a cover I saw for Aftercapture...
http://www.rangefindermag.com/storage/articles/AC0409_Stuart_Blanchfield.pdf

[shannyD]

i really like that last one a lot!

[DerekMartinezPhotography]

You did a great job. I agree the last one is superb!


www.DerekMartinezPhotography.com

[ishmelly]

You noted perspective - taken literally you could rent different lenses such as fisheye or supertelephoto to either move even closer/take the scene in or perhaps get yourself off the stage or the wings and shoot from a different vantage point.

Are you scared of heights? I've seen examples where the vantage point of the camera was above the performer - which was very effective for piano/keyboard performer.

- Mu Eugene


I'm not scared of heights but the venue this was held at wouldn't let me on the catwalks. I've thought about setting up a remote camera though, mounting it up high before the performance. I don't have the cables to set it up with my pocketwizards though =\

I only have 2 lens the 24-70L and 70-200L because it seems like thats all I ever needed. I had a 12-24 Sigma once but on the 5d body it was outstandingly wide. How would I use a fisheye without losing focus or impact? Would 16mm 16-35L give a similar effect?

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I have to confess though the only reason I got that thrid shot was because some other photographer shooting for a different media outlet decided to jump up on stage from the pit upsetting security, which lead to everyone getting kicked out of the pit. Hence I was forced to find a new shot. This concert was held in the Bren Center at the University of California, Irvine. To get that third shot I wiggled my way through the speakers and shot from the side of the stage.

This was the last shot before getting kicked out of the pit. Its of the same performer
http://mellylee.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/shocktober09_016.jpg

[jetcode]

I think the best advice I could offer is shoot, shoot, and shoot. The good stuff will surface as you get better at knowing what you are looking for in an image. Because the subject or setting is bland doesn't mean you are a bad photographer it means the subject and setting are not producing the dramatic effect you are looking for. The 3rd shot in your series has excellent dynamics.

[Mu Eugene]

How would I use a fisheye without losing focus or impact? Would 16mm 16-35L give a similar effect?



I had in mind a full-frame fisheye. I would think 16-35L would be an excellent lens, but I do not know as I have not had the fortune of owning one. I realized that you shot those without a stage pass so all the more kudos for getting those shots.

The ultra-wide and fisheye are effective especially if you can get *real* close to the performer or the main subject of the frame to obtain the impact, otherwise, it'll just be a wide-angle shot. Is there a way to schmooze with the organizers to get you a stage pass (pretend you work for the student paper)? Then you can breathe down the neck of a performer as you compose a shot like this. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=8842761&postcount=8136)

[photoguy6405]

Put me in for #3 as well... WOW!!!

[ishmelly]

I think the best advice I could offer is shoot, shoot, and shoot. The good stuff will surface as you get better at knowing what you are looking for in an image. Because the subject or setting is bland doesn't mean you are a bad photographer it means the subject and setting are not producing the dramatic effect you are looking for. The 3rd shot in your series has excellent dynamics.

I work for 3 media outlets on campus (I'm still a college student). So far in my experience the only photographers/videographers allowed physically on stages are the ones that travel with the bands.

Thanks for everyone's help :)

[Lonnie]

Who is that performer in shot #3?

[ishmelly]

Who is that performer in shot #3?

shwayze

[Ichiban]

15mm 2.8 fisheye would make a crazy impact, covering the entire scene, given your at a nice vantage point.