Concert Photography

Hi folks,

I have done just a little concert photography. On my first outing, I refused to believe what I had read. Everything seemed so much brighter than expected why in the world would I have to start at ISO 800 and F 2.8? So, I took a number of shots, some very good, at ISO 400 and F4-5.6. But I started to believe the experts.

I now have opportunities to shoot a few shows officially with good access. Not yet sure if I will be limited to the customary 3 songs or not. So want to be very prepared.

I have a 1D MK III, 70-200 F2.8 IS and 24-70 2.8. Nothing else appropriate for this.

Is the 24-70 superfluous and should I shoot 70-200 only or will there be good reason to have the 24-70 handy?

Is ISO 800 and wide open in AV a good way to start or do you have other favorite settings worth considering?

Any tips at all that will help me get best possible results?

And yes, I have searched the forums, read the books. Just looking for more real world practical tips that will help me go in with just a bit more confidence as I build experience.

Thanks.


~Bob

Make sure to pack the 24-70 unless you are either far away from the stage or you want to take headshots only. If you are going for full band shots, or shots with multiple members, or take a photo of the audience, or the entire stage setup etc.. you'll need something wider than 70mm.
My start setting are Iso 1600 and 1/125 of a second. I would first go for a shorter shutter before turning down the Iso. But this completely depends on the light. If you are working with the 70-200 make sure to select a shutter speed that will save you from shaking the lens too much.

Here is a 400 F4.0 image from my first tries:

Thanks Boogada. 24-70 will be in the bag or on my belt.

well as you can see in the first picture your exposure was too long. the percussionist is all blurry cause of that as are most hands and instruments. the only reason why the image is still alright is cause you were standing way back and therefore it doesn't matter all that much. if you were closer, or taking a headshot, the musicians would be totally blurry. try to get least 1/80s or even better 1/160s.
the second image is way sharper cause the exposure time was shorter. but again, look at the left guitar..its all moving and unsharp.

It just really depends on the amount of light at the show. Personally I rather shoot at f/3.5 or f/4 instead of f/2.8 (when I use my 70-200, due the DOF).
In the end I'd say, shutterspeed above ISO. It's concert photography, IMO, it may contain some noise. Not everything has to be entirely clean.

My 'favorite setting' is to start with a f-stop OR shutter speed I need for the effect I want. Then the other parameter: shutter speed or f-stop. Then adjust the ISO.
Need an exposure crutch?

Try manual in those conditions. Why?
Post #47

These were shot with the 70-200 f/4 @ ISO 1600, & I used his white t-shirt to find a starting exposure. EXIF is included in:
The Johnny Headband Band

The f/2.8 should work well for you, but it wouldn't hurt to have a 85mm f/1.8 in your bag if you need it. I used one for these where the lighting was what we used to call "available darkness": ISO 1600-3200:
Barbara Payton at the Carrick House Concert 11/23/08

And if possible, it also wouldn't hurt to talk to the lighting guy before the show so you would know what to expect?

Yep, I'm the same way as frank, when I walk into an environment, my first thought is either aperture or shutter speed, they are interchangeable in that way, band running around in low light, I think shutter speed, off camera flash group shot I'm going to be thinking aperture, then comes your other settings, ISO is really one of the last things I think about

Thanks folks.

I'll have to look through your links tonight when I get home Frank.

Amazing how many differing opinions out there. I am searching the net for all I can find and the techniques and tips are all over the map. Perhaps I'll post a list of links to the better ones I uncover in this thread in a few days.

~Bob

I just shot a concert using pretty much ISO1000+, f/2.8, 1/200 for all my shots... I guess it just depends on the lighting. Some venues are better lit than others, and some bands get a little crazy with the lighting. It also helps if the band members are fairly calm.

I have the 70-200mm f2.8 L IS usm MKII that I exclusively use on my 50D. If I had the 24-70mm f2.8, it would be on my 400d, at the moment I use the 10-22mm @22mm it is suffice just about for the job of wide angle shots, but sometimes I need it for shooting bands, though not bad, it is kind of limiting not to have the extra focal length range

rebop wrote in post #10655380
And yes, I have searched the forums, read the books.

In that case, I assume you saw the Performing Arts Talk section, but rather wanted to post here for more general input?

Or did you miss it, and shall I move the thread?

rebop wrote in post #10655436
Here is a 400 F4.0 image from my first tries:

Seems like you had a ton of light there.
I see motion, but not in a bad way.
IS did really save you there though: 1/8 otherwise wouldn't have been hand-holdable.

Not bad images though.

ISO 1600 f/2.8 often hardly is enough where I shoot. (That's without IS and with moving bands though, so essentially the same light levels )

If front light is constant, you can use Manual.
If there is that much light, set the aperture you want, and an ISO that permits something like 1/125 or faster, or at least 1/focal length, whichever is highest.

Tungsten WB & Raw usually also give a good starting point.
Take the 24-70 and 70-200 both.

Vary in position, vary in perspective, vary in framing: Get close, shoot wide. Stand far, shoot close. And everything in between.
Experiment.

Thanks for the reply.

And yes, I did miss that one. Sorry Rene. Of all the POTN forums I have bookmarked, that one is new for me. So do feel free to move this topic if you prefer.

Personally I think blurring, when its caught right, works extremely well for concert photos. It denotes the action and excitement.
I think your shots are a bit over-processed, though. They look too 'electronic' to me. ymmv

Regardless, very nice shots.

When I shoot live shows my setup will vary primarily by how far away from the stage I am... I'm always shooting manual at 800 ISO usually, too much chance for missed shots in AV with the changing lights. I prefer to use primes if I can since it can get my shutter speeds up as fast as possible and being that the majority of the shows I shoot are rock shows, there is usually quite a bit of moving around and I need to stop action. I'm usually shooting with either 50mm 1.4, or 85mm 1.8 if I'm anywhere near the stage.. for wide shots I'll use either my 12-24 tokina F4 or a 17-55 2.8.. I do like using my 70-200 2.8 IS MKII for those shots where I'm near the soundboard or if I want to get in tight on the drummer..