Well this is just awesome...

I just got my full access press pass to Reading Festival confirmed. But now i'm scared. I have to say for sure by wednesday wether i want it so convince me people. I just have a tiny bit of doubt as it's my first festival, and its a huge one.

What goes on at a festival, what's photographing them like? Are there usually secure areas/lockers for kit as i dont want my stuff being stolen.

And to any close by englanders i.e James/She, you dont have any old memory cards lying around do you? 2 gig or higher. I know it's a long shot but i very much doubt the 5 gigs i have is enough, and i jsut thought it would be worth checking before buying some more off the bay.

Cheers everyone.

x

Whenever I do a festival, I carry my stuff with me everywhere. Even if there are places to leave things, I don't want someone accidentally walking off with my equipment.

You could look into getting one of those portable drives - I have a 40gig that was around $150. Cheaper than cards. Fewer items to lose.

Ryan-

Major Festival photography is a great challenge. You should plan your photography carefully based on the schedule and your editors preferences. You will often only be able to shoot the first few songs of an artist and it may take a while to go from stage to stage. Do not plan on secured storage, keep everything in your photo bag with you at all times. 5 Gb should give you 1000+ pictures-that really should be enough!

-Scott

I also bring everything with me at all times. Too many people running around and, let's face it, rock has it's share of shady characters.

As for the festival itself, draw up a game plan on where you are going to be and when and follow it. Get to the stage(s) before you have to and get the best spots you can. Be smart in time management so you don't miss something you might want to get. Even if you get a hd to download to, get more memory, extra batteries, a spare body...be prepared.

I have 5 batteries and an AA cartridge for the grip. Doubt 5 gigs will we enough for a 3 day festival.

I thought perhaps shoot the main in RAW and some of the sdmaller bands in JPEG to save space and time.

I want to avoid taking my laptop if at all possible, as the photos wont be needed for 3 days after i get home.

x

sspellman wrote in post #3719788
5 Gb should give you 1000+ pictures-that really should be enough!

Agree with everything except this:
When shooting Raw, it's way less...

I don't know if shooting Raw will actually save much time in PP.
Depends on circumstances really.

Take a look at my warped tour gallery, thats what you should expect. Mosh pits, crowd surfing, and getting hit by many many objects being thrown at the stage.

Take a small kit. And a backpack if you have one.
I didn't have the luxury of having a dedicated card emptier thingy, so i had to pack my laptop and unload the cards after every 2-3 shows. It want too bad. Packed it in a backpack. I had my geekstar on one side with my 20dw/ grip, 50 1.4 stowed away the whole time and it got heavy. Only take what you need. I only used my mk2n, 70-200 and 24-70. Kept them readily accessible in my shoulder bag. In my backpack was my laptop w/ card reader, extra shirt (came in handy when i got soaked), and a bunch of bags/tape in case it started to rain.

Be careful in the pits. People throw water bottles for some reason (at least at warped tour). I got hit in the camera/face with a full open one and got me/my camera soaked (thats what i get for taking crowd shots). I would refrain from that if your just shooting a 20d (no weather sealing).

But, all things aside. Its a friggin' BLAST. Do it. The best shots i have taken to date came from warped tour. The atmosphere of a festival can not be matched by anything else.

You have PM

You're young and foolish ... please throw your worries to the wind and LIVE! And next time you'll know what the heck is going on and be one of the Pros. Congrats! Is your house under water?

Don't be apprehensive enjoy it! Well done Ryan.

My tips for festivals are:

Have plenty of battery power and memory cards.

Plan your schedule and familiarise yourself with the layout so you can make your way between various stages. Often you have to move quickly due to timing conflicts.

Festivals are one of the few concerts I shoot in jpg as you have so many bands to cover and end up with thousands of shots. If you shoot RAW you could be there for weeks post processing!

Keep an eye on your gear - generally I have a pack and will dump it in the pit while shooting and then pick it up at the end of the three songs (if the three song rule applies).

I'm not sure how many bands or days Reading has but 5 GB is probably not enough. I'd be looking at a 10GB minimum. If it is a multi day festival try to take a laptop along and download each days shooting either at the end of the day or the morning before you start shooting again. Keep it locked away safely in your car (or somewhere else safe!).

Don't forget to eat drink and be merry and enjoy the festival experience as well as doing photos!

Who's playing?

tipsy, have a great time! seems like a lot of big names are there, even if they aren't my preferred listening, there's loads of portofolio fodder material, so take advantage.

who are you shooting for?

blackshadow wrote in post #3722093
Who's playing?

http://www.efestivals.​co.uk …s/lineups.php?F​estID=1586