<PERFORMING ARTS> concert photography - tips, advice? please!

hi everyone,

i have just stared my first zine, and i have recently upgraded to my first prosummer camera, the canon digital rebel. before, i only used a point and shoot.

i have just secured my first photo pass where i am going to be using this camera. it is for a ska-punk show where the back lighting will be poor and the band will be running, jumping, and making the show great but the shots difficult.

i would be extremely delighted if anyone could share tips or advice for someone new to using this type of camera in this situation and how to get the best picture. also, i want to purchase a speedlight (as i think this might be useful for rock show photography) but i have never used one before. any info on that would also be appreciated!

if you would like to see some of my past band photography, i have just started building the website - www.sceneheard.com

thank you soooo much for any assistance!

I don't use flash at all for low light shooting. Buy a fast prime lens, like the 85mm, the 135mm, or the 200mm. The focal length of course will depend on how close you can get. With my 20D, I shoot wide open at ISO 1600 on Av. Not sure how the XT is with noise, but you can always use noise reduction software, such as Noise Ninja or Neat Image. Also, shoot RAW. You'll be glad you did later.
Here's one I did at a concert early this year.

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Yes, a fast prime would be good. I'm not sure what settings to use, considering I dont have a camera yet... But I would probably go with what liza said.

When I do get my camera though, I would like to shoot this kind of stuff too. I'm very into music and it would be a dream come true =] If you ever need aanother camera man, I'd be glad to help. From what I saw on your site, we like similar music!

Here are a couple of recent threads that should help. There is heaps more info on the site perhaps try searching with "concert photography" and "low light photography" as well as checking out Dwight McCann's QA session here.
http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=114987
http://www.photography​-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=9590

There are some seriously awesome concert photographers who are regular users of the site, so keep an eye out for work by jfrancho, Steve Parr, Dwight McCann, EricKonieczny and of course Metalphotographer for starters.

Good question and great advice. It's amazing what you can learn by reading others posts. I was going to ask the same question.
Angela