How to Photograph a band

Vacation · 11th of February 2009 (Wed)

I am going to be photographing a local band who is going to be getting endorsed.

Have never photographed a band before and I am looking for some tips.

We are not looking for the same old fold your arms pic where everyone tries to look like a bad a**.

These guys are an up and comming hard rock band and they are way ahead of their peers. They have been touring and are selling their music like crazy already.

They are very talented and are not abusing drugs. I am looking for something fresh and new.

ANY idea of yours (or tips)would be helpful.

tonylong · 11th of February 2009 (Wed)

I have very little experience in doing band photography, so my contribution will be to point you to a couple sub-groups.

First, the Performing Arts Photo Sharing sub-group:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...splay.php?f=81

Then, the Performing Arts Discussion sub-group:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...play.php?f=115

Hope you find some good ideas!

PhotosGuy · 12th of February 2009 (Thu)

It would be nice to know what the shots will be used for? Ya think?

Quote:

We are not looking for the same old fold your arms pic where everyone tries to look like a bad a**.

If they're an "up and comming hard rock band", do they have a producer yet? That's the first person I'd ask.
As for ideas, go to the local CD store & see what they like & work around that concept.

Nouks · 14th of February 2009 (Sat)

There's a really nice FAQ in the Performing Arts discussion section. You might want to read that before visiting the gig.

narlus · 14th of February 2009 (Sat)

it sounds like he's shooting for publicity shots, not live shots.

i'd have 'em all be cutting out paper dolls.

londonblue007 · 14th of February 2009 (Sat)

be original. think of something fun and different.
I recommend checking out this guy's work. http://www.keatonandrew.com/

ChrisRabior · 14th of February 2009 (Sat)

I always enjoyed the idea of doing promo shots 'backstage' because some of the local venues have such incredibly unique and musically appropriate settings. There's no better place (IMO) to get basic promo shots.

A lot of band promo shots scream of strobist techniques. (here's an example and a tutorial, although not a band but a model)

Nouks · 15th of February 2009 (Sun)

Quote:

Originally Posted by narlus

it sounds like he's shooting for publicity shots, not live shots.

Ah, whoops. I already thought, "same old fold your arms pics live on stage, WTF?"

Eric James Walsh · 22nd of June 2010 (Tue)

Who cares if they abuse drugs, a lot of the best artists in history drew inspiration from drug use...

blackshadow · 26th of June 2010 (Sat)

Talk to your client and discuss what they are looking for, get a feel for who they are and the image they want to project then your creative juices flow and pitch some ideas to them.

11th of February 2009 (Wed)	#1
Vacation Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 89	How to Photograph a band I am going to be photographing a local band who is going to be getting endorsed. Have never photographed a band before and I am looking for some tips. We are not looking for the same old fold your arms pic where everyone tries to look like a bad a**. These guys are an up and comming hard rock band and they are way ahead of their peers. They have been touring and are selling their music like crazy already. They are very talented and are not abusing drugs. I am looking for something fresh and new. ANY idea of yours (or tips)would be helpful. __________________ Canon 5D Mark ii , Canon 30D Canon 20D 50mm 1.4, 16-35 Canon L, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L, 100-400L 24-105 IS L Pocket Wizards 580EX2, 580EX

11th of February 2009 (Wed)	#2
tonylong ....winded Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA USA Posts: 47,196 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to Photograph a band I have very little experience in doing band photography, so my contribution will be to point you to a couple sub-groups. First, the Performing Arts Photo Sharing sub-group: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...splay.php?f=81 Then, the Performing Arts Discussion sub-group: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...play.php?f=115 Hope you find some good ideas! __________________ Tony Two Canon cameras (5DC, 30D), three Canon lenses (24-105, 100-400, 100mm macro) Tony Long Photos on PBase Wildlife project pics here, Biking Photog shoots here, "Suburbia" project here! Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood pics here

14th of February 2009 (Sat)	#4
Nouks Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Enschede, The Netherlands Posts: 824 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to Photograph a band There's a really nice FAQ in the Performing Arts discussion section. You might want to read that before visiting the gig. __________________ I used to be Gebruikersnaam. Gearlist: 1D2, resurrected 20D, 400D, 16-35L, 28-70L, 70-200L, 85 F1.8, cute 18-55, dead 24-70 Siggie, 2 flashlights, expensive bags and loads of CF-cards. Website • Portfolio • Archive

14th of February 2009 (Sat)	#5
narlus Cream of the Crop Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Andover, MA Posts: 7,189	Re: How to Photograph a band it sounds like he's shooting for publicity shots, not live shots. i'd have 'em all be cutting out paper dolls. __________________ www.tinnitus-photography.com Facebook link gear list

14th of February 2009 (Sat)	#6
londonblue007 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 852 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to Photograph a band be original. think of something fun and different. I recommend checking out this guy's work. http://www.keatonandrew.com/ __________________ Canon 50D; Battery Grip; Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8; Canon 50mm f/1.8; Canon 430 Speedlight; website Flickr Facebook philbondphotography@gmail.com

14th of February 2009 (Sat)	#7
ChrisRabior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 826	Re: How to Photograph a band I always enjoyed the idea of doing promo shots 'backstage' because some of the local venues have such incredibly unique and musically appropriate settings. There's no better place (IMO) to get basic promo shots. A lot of band promo shots scream of strobist techniques. (here's an example and a tutorial, although not a band but a model) __________________ My Gear \| My Alamy \| My Website \| MMA Photography

22nd of June 2010 (Tue)	#9
Eric James Walsh Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to Photograph a band Who cares if they abuse drugs, a lot of the best artists in history drew inspiration from drug use...

26th of June 2010 (Sat)	#10
blackshadow Mr T. from the A team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne, VIC Australia Posts: 5,732 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How to Photograph a band Talk to your client and discuss what they are looking for, get a feel for who they are and the image they want to project then your creative juices flow and pitch some ideas to them. __________________ Black Shadow Photography Facebook Flickr Twitter Gear List Myspace

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do you Photograph your vacations or vacation to photograph?	Chrisedge	The POTN Lounge	22	11th of November 2008 (Tue) 06:03
How Often Do You Photograph?	Canon Soldier	The POTN Lounge	35	27th of May 2008 (Tue) 01:02
Going to see a band & need band shot help.	DerekRob	The Business of Photography	6	27th of April 2008 (Sun) 09:49
(local band) Glenn R Townsend Band - The Vault - 6/2/07	dave_borg98	Performing Arts	8	11th of June 2007 (Mon) 15:23
my first ever photograph!	josefine	Wildlife	4	5th of June 2005 (Sun) 06:20