Need some help with music festival

[rx7speed]

I have a fairly decent sized concert comming up with multiple stages and acts. I'll be honest in saying I've not quite dealt with this kind of situation before and could use a little help.

Most locations like this is it worth bringing my whole bag with me or just what I can directly carry on me? If I do bring the whole bag do they usually have a location to store it or do I take it from stage to stage? I'll be honest in saying I would rather not take the bag to the stage if possible. If they do have a storage space do they have any outlets to charge batteries as well usually? I'm hoping that the two I currently have will work and might look into getting more since it is going to be a VERY long day. If nothing else might bring the AA battery pack with me and some extra AA's. I'm already sure I need to grab more memory cards as I only have 2x16GB and while I'm sure I can make them last it's always better to have a little extra.

Do they usually escort you from stage to stage or just give you the pass and let you move about as needed? Can you usually head over to the tent where they are signing autographs and photograph in that situation or do they usually only let you get stage shots?

What do you all usually do for food/water? Do you try to bring your own in or just wing it and get food from the venue when time permits?

Also do you get a pass for each specific act or is it usually just one pass for the whole event?

I'm sure there will be more questions but this is what I can think of for now. Thank you kindly for the help.

[rx7speed]

Oh yes and an important one. Any suggestions for earplugs? I have some MSA safety works foam earplugs that I have in bulk but not sure if there is something better or should these do just fine.

[Gipetto]

Every festival is different.

Take what you think you'll need. For multi-stage all day festival work having a bag is nice, but not for your gear. The bag is handy for some water and munchies. Bringing water & munchies varies per festival. Other than that you'll probably have your camera(s) out the whole time and a lot of folks just come in with their cameras out and a small hip bag. I see some with full packs and it amazes me how much they're willing to carry all day long. Though you can set it down. There's a lot of hurry up and wait.

I just did a large 3 day, multi-stage festival and decided to take my normal camera bag, a shoulder bag, with me the entire time as the weather was unpredicatable. I just dropped my bag at the foot/side of the stage as I went in. The worst that happened was a little beer was splashed on it. No biggie (and much less damage than a long time ago when a baseball fan actually spilled a beer IN my bag while it was on my shoulder).

Some festivals have power, I dunno. Be prepared, but my 7D with grip went all day each day with a lot of power to spare (I've never had to switch batteries in my 7D at an all day event), as did the 60D with no grip. I don't go crazy on the shutter but I do shoot a decent amount and I charged the batteries overnight each night.

Sometimes you'll get escorted to the stage, sometimes not, it depends on the festival, but you'll not likely be escorted from stage to stage. You'll likely be left to make that scramble on your own, so budget your time accordingly because every security person in that festival will have a different opinion about which gates you can go through and at which times. Finding that one guy who says "go around" because he's confused or just not that bright can really screw you up (I ran in to a gal that wouldn't let me out of the protected area and in to the general attendance area because she couldn't locate the wrist band color on her chart. I was where she didn't want me to be and wouldn't let me go to where she should have wanted me to be. It happens. Just be ready and try not to get pissed).

Often times right before a band goes on you'll just be corralled to the side until its time to go in. You'll most likely have a pass or wristband that identifies you. If the band requires a waiver they might collect them at the corral and not let you enter if you don't have it. As the day wears on you'll learn what you can and can't get away with and where you can, can't and shouldn't go. Don't push your luck, that shot is probably not worth getting kicked out.

Being able to shoot extra-curricular activity varies from event to event. But as long as you don't go all paparazzi you'll probably be fine. Keep a reasonable distance, be courteous, and if they look skittish or ask you to stop then you're best off just leaving it be. Be human.

In my experience earplugs are earplugs. Once shooting I don't really notice much specifically about the music, just when it stops, when it lulls, and when someone yells as I step on their foot. I'm mostly concentrating on observing and compensating for lighting changes. So long as they offer protection you're OK. Some guys/gals have more expensive ear plugs that "filter" rather than block so that they can hear more (or claim to) but they pay for that as well. I also lose ear plugs like I lose sun-glasses. So both tend to be on the cheap end.

[RichSoansPhotos]

You are going to a max of 3 songs to deal with, since this is your first festival, I would bring all possible lenses and bodies if you have multiple bodies. Charge up all batteries, bring your flash unit, you might need it for your photography of crowds

The stage times are normally timed so they overlap each other, with a few moments for you to download to a laptop, but you should have a pit barrier where you can keep your bag. That saying, its down to the festival in question, they may not have this facility at the festival you are going to, so might have the option to keep this with you. If you don't want to carry gear that is too heavy, then you would keep it in a secure place, that is up to you where you can keep this securely. Also, keep two pairs of earplugs (keep them separate so as not to confuse where you keep them), essential if you want good hearing in your old age. I have musician type earplugs http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elacin-ER20S...399585&sr=8-24, they maybe a bit tad expensive, but they last for six months (after that, you will know when your ears start hurting you to replace them), but its a lot cheaper and better than those foam type earplugs

[Tommy H]

I'm going to jump on the back of this thread if it's ok?

I'm going to Reading next week (as a punter, not a photographer) but haven't ever taken a decent camera to a festival (when I used to go 7 years ago we would get very drunk) - so all photo's i've got are rubbish. This time I'd like to get some good ones.

I'm worried about the camera getting nicked or damaged.... has anyone taken a DSLR into the crowd and come out with it intact?

Also, I only have an 18-55mm lens and a 70-300mm lens. I don't really want to be swapping all the time, but would like to get both some close ups, and some wide crowd shots. I'm thinking that the 70-300 will probably give me the best of both worlds? Any comments?

Edit: Does a 70-300 count as a 'telephoto' lens? Website is a bit vague and says that cameras are allowed for personal use but cameras with telephoto lenses would not be allowed into the arena.

[rx7speed]

tommy I'm not quit sure if this post would be the best place to hop in as not all the questions are relevent. No harm in asking at least though.
Though in a nutshell a 70-300 would be a telephoto. I have taken my camera in a good crowd and have had it come out intact. Mosh pit or something that though not quite but in a very large dense crowd yes. I usually just swing it around near my chestwith one hand on the grip with my arm kind of curled around it and the other arm at the read to help deflect people that might come my way.


Rich I feel like an idiot. I don't have a laptop. It's one of those things I've always planned on buying but for some reason have never been able to keep the money long enough to get it or when I do get the money I forget about it and end up getting something else. Doubt I will be able to grab one before the festival starts also and so now I'm debating trying to grab more CF cards or instead get a SD to CF adaptor (not my prefered choice but the cheaper route as I have SD cards all over). How many CF would one expect to fill in an 8-10 hour festival?
Only have one body and my two lens. So that part is easy. I think I do have a small bag I can carry most my other gear in (lens wipes, bulbs, batteries and other misc stuff). Might be able to bring a flash in there but I though most times a flash is a BIG no no.
What didn't you like about the foam plugs?


Gipetto
I can imaging the paparazzi thing wouldn't go over well. Just was thinking if the chance presented itself snapping a shot or two might be a little different. With that though I could always ask ahead of time to verify rules before doing anything of the sort.

I'm curious how you managed to get out of the area you where not supposed to be in to get to the area she wanted you to be if she wasn't wanting to let you move.


Trial by fire. Just hope I can make this work. Thank you both for helping out here.

[RichSoansPhotos]

Originally Posted by Tommy H

I'm going to jump on the back of this thread if it's ok?

I'm going to Reading next week (as a punter, not a photographer) but haven't ever taken a decent camera to a festival (when I used to go 7 years ago we would get very drunk) - so all photo's i've got are rubbish. This time I'd like to get some good ones.

I'm worried about the camera getting nicked or damaged.... has anyone taken a DSLR into the crowd and come out with it intact?

Also, I only have an 18-55mm lens and a 70-300mm lens. I don't really want to be swapping all the time, but would like to get both some close ups, and some wide crowd shots. I'm thinking that the 70-300 will probably give me the best of both worlds? Any comments?

Edit: Does a 70-300 count as a 'telephoto' lens? Website is a bit vague and says that cameras are allowed for personal use but cameras with telephoto lenses would not be allowed into the arena.

I have seen plenty of people take dSLRs to festivals, it would normally say on the website or on the ticket itself whether you can take dSLR inside, if you can, there is normally a restriction on the lens you can take. 6inches is the normal max length you can take in, that is at its maximum zoom length. You would be risking being sent home or it being left with security (lost property department if they have one) if you bring the 70-300mm into Reading Festival, it will also be classed as a telephoto lens because of its long focal length. Personally, I wouldn't risk it unless you were a professional photographer, as it is clear that you are not at the festival. I know it is vague, but lenses come in all shapes and sizes, its hard to distinguish between them unless you were trained in spotting them, plus new technology makes this more confusing to concisely say what is and what isn't. My best bet is to leave the 70-300mm at hone

[Gipetto]

Originally Posted by rx7speed

Gipetto
I can imaging the paparazzi thing wouldn't go over well. Just was thinking if the chance presented itself snapping a shot or two might be a little different. With that though I could always ask ahead of time to verify rules before doing anything of the sort.

I'm curious how you managed to get out of the area you where not supposed to be in to get to the area she wanted you to be if she wasn't wanting to let you move.

There were multiple exits. I simply went to a different gate.

[rx7speed]

alright sorry to bring up this older post but had a couple more questions. Regarding the ticket pickup at will call. Is that usually some specific will call area for media or just more of the general ticket pickup area that everyone and their dog is trying to get through?

Also when trying to get to the location you need to be I'm assuming it's more of get there as early as you can and plow through to get up front or do they sometimes have side area's for you to get up front?

Sorry might be dumb questions but I've never really dealt with this before and so I'm trying to make sure all my bases are covered ahead of time as much as possible and only play by ear as needed rather then throw the whole thing up in the air and say lets have some fun.

[CosmoKid]

Originally Posted by rx7speed

alright sorry to bring up this older post but had a couple more questions. Regarding the ticket pickup at will call. Is that usually some specific will call area for media or just more of the general ticket pickup area that everyone and their dog is trying to get through?

Also when trying to get to the location you need to be I'm assuming it's more of get there as early as you can and plow through to get up front or do they sometimes have side area's for you to get up front?

Sorry might be dumb questions but I've never really dealt with this before and so I'm trying to make sure all my bases are covered ahead of time as much as possible and only play by ear as needed rather then throw the whole thing up in the air and say lets have some fun.

You haven't done this one yet? Your OP was 4 weeks ago. Kudos to you for being a planner. Most people make these posts the day before.

1- Which festival is this? Maybe someone has covered it before and can give you exact answers to your questions.

2- Every question you have is a valid one, but depending on the festival the answers will vary GREATLY.

Some festivals there is a media entrance with a tent to picks up creds. Other festivals you may have to go to a local hotel to pick up. Some might even mail them to you in advance.

3- I try and pack as light as possible and if that means compromising on some things, I am okay with that. Traveling light is important to me. Weather plays a part in what I bring as well.

As an example, at Metallica's Orion festival, I brought 2 bodies on my harness with my standard and tele zoom. Instead of a bag, I brought my Camelbak, and I used the pockets of the Camelbak for a spare battery, memory cards and baby powder. I think I also had my teleconvertor in there.

Were there times I wanted my UWA? Yes. But I made due. It wasnt enough to justify lugging around another lens. And definitely not a flash unit.

Most festivals have a contact for media. I would reach out and ask any questions you might have. Some festivals I have been provided food, Vitamin Water, water, sunblock, bug spray, etc. Others nothing.

[rx7speed]

Nope haven't shot it yet though it's comming up very soon. I'm usually not that much of a planner but for some things I'll make exceptions and being this is a choice in side careers I'm wanting to give some serious consideration to I'm going to do what I can to make sure it goes as good as possible.

This is going to be x-fest at the nampa idaho center. The tickets I know are will-call but was not provided any information as to where the will call area for pickup was.

Was told there was not going to be a media tent so I've more or less figured out how I'm travling and whats going with me. Cargo pants it is and only what I can fit on me plus a small bag/backpack for food/water. Do still wish I could have the problem of two bodies as I would prefer not to switch lens during the show but hey I'll manage with what I can afford for now.

Thank you

[Gipetto]

Don't worry about multiple bodies. Its a luxury, not a necessity. I shot a long time with just a single body. And depending on the venue I still do.

Consider using your camera strap just on the 70-200 so that when you're not using it the lens just hangs from your neck or shoulder. This way you only need to worry about putting 1 lens in/out of a bag or pocket and its generally not that much extra mental overhead to keep track of which way the big lens is hanging while you're shooting.

[rx7speed]

Putting the strap on the 70-200? Never thought of doing that and to be perfectly honest not even sure at this point how I would hook it up that way. It would make life a lot easier though as currently I only have the lens bag that came with the 70-200 and usually just swap them around in there but it feels like one extra hand would come in handy doing it that way.
I've shot with the one body for some time really main reason I wouldn't mind a second one is of course easier switch from short to long but also I fear for the drunk dude standing behind me who just so happens to get a little worked up and flings his beer at me mid lens change. I have crappy luck. That is my biggest fear is I'm going to get hit mid change and just be screwed.

[Grantzphoto]

Originally Posted by Gipetto

Don't worry about multiple bodies. Its a luxury, not a necessity. I shot a long time with just a single body. And depending on the venue I still do.

Consider using your camera strap just on the 70-200 so that when you're not using it the lens just hangs from your neck or shoulder. This way you only need to worry about putting 1 lens in/out of a bag or pocket and its generally not that much extra mental overhead to keep track of which way the big lens is hanging while you're shooting.

Agreed. I have a cross strap that I tie my camera straps to that way I still have some distance on the individual lenses and can use a single wide load bearing strap rather than 2 or 3.

[rx7speed]

Just finished tonight. It was great time and great learning experience. I'm so sore though right now after over 9 hours of festival time. I'm very sore. But good day and hopefully I have some good shots.

To everyone who helped out thank you, Thank you very much.