Gig shoot tonight, any tips?

[TonyHetherington]

I'm in a new band (infact, it's going very well, gigging very soon!)...anyhow, tonight our lead vocalist and lead guitar is doign an acoustic set at a local pub. I said I'd go along with my camera and try and get some shots of him playing (2 reasons...first to get some shots in readiness for band promotion, and second for the experience!).

Anyhow, any tips? I'm imagining taking my 50mm 1.8 for the low light but also will have a play with my 17-85 IS F4-5.6 (ISO might need to be ramped up a bit though). Ideally don't want to use a flash as it will make it too much of a good shot, rather than retaining the atmosphere that will be there (or have I got that all wrong?).

So, all advice gratefully received!
Thanks
Tony

[luca brazzi]

Get close in....high iso, noise is fine...and go for grainy b+w shots, while he strains at the mic.

Stand behind the audience, shooting the band, using the audience as foreground interest.

Just a couple of thoughts. Let us see the results.

LB

[TonyHetherington]

luca brazzi said:

Stand behind the audience, shooting the band, using the audience as foreground interest.

I like it! Also, oooo you've just given me a cracking idea. Not only that, but real close in audience with him playing/straining in the background.

I had in my mind the usual close up straining at the mic (fancied some close ups of his fingers playing too).

Ta!

edit; yup, will post results for sure but won't be until tomorrow night

Edited by TonyHetherington on Monday 2nd April 15:42

[_dobbo_]

I think you'll find in all but the most well lit pubs you'll need the 50mm open up to f/1.8 and also ISO cranked up to 1600 as well. You'll no doubt get some good stuff though, hope you enjoy it!

[TonyHetherington]

blimey, didn't think it'd be up at 1600 and 1.8 but not to worry I'll have a play!

Thanks for the advice chaps

[poah]

when I've shot at the QM union I've used f2.8 iso 1600 sometimes iso800 but mostly 1600


www.flickr.com/photos/quantumcapture/collections/72157594587984843/

[tank slapper]

I've shot at some gigs before but on film not digital. If you want to avoid flash you'll need high ISO, especially if it is a pub without proper stage lighting. I used to use Delta 3200 with a 70-200 2.8 which was plenty long enough, or a Fuji 800. Depending on what type of gig it is, then flash might be OK - combine it with long shutter speeds for some nice effects with coloured stage lighting. Remember to move around a bit as otherwise you can end up with loads of similar looking shots.

[megy]

How did you get on then Tony, do we get to see any samples?

[TonyHetherington]

Morning all! Thanks for the advice chaps. The result was that I was using around 1/3 sec shutter speed even at ISO1600 and F4, I was really struggling for light! So using the 50mm 1.8 I got some better results but some cropping will be needing

It was in a top room of the pub so there were only about 20 people watching the stage, so I did feel VERY conspicuous wandering around the front of the stage, especially as the stage was quite low (maybe about 2ft high) so I had to stay very very low.

Didn't play with the flash in the end as I didn't want to p1ss people off, but I do think I got some good shots! The ImageStability helped me a lot I think

Got in late last night and at work now so I'll post up the photos tonight - eager to see them myself

Thanks again all for the advice
Tony

[luca brazzi]

TonyHetherington said:

around 1/3 sec shutter speed even at ISO1600 and F4, I was really struggling for light!

Now that's a challenge.

Look forward to seeing how you got on.

LB

[TonyHetherington]

Hi all!
Sorry for my delay in getting these pictures up. Been havin problems with my photoshop! As a result, these pictures are completely 100% as they came out the camera; the only thing i have done is made them smaller (700px) to fit on here.

Not mega happy with them, but think a few especially in a real heavy B&W could look quite great! Am fond of the final wide-angle pictures - I think they set the scene really nicely, and also Luca's idea of aiming through the crowd worked well, I think?

One problem I found was that the photos themselves were ok, but expressions on faces of singer and or 2nd guitarist was wrong - so it spoilt the shot, so if 100 technially good shots maybe only 10 were useful (because of expressions) if you see what I mean?

Nevertheless good fun, and my first outing with the camera to something like that so I'll know what to do next time;

-move around a lot more to take a lot more different perspective shots
-don't be afraid to get in a lot closer
-have a go with the flash
-take lots more (allowing for rubbish expressions)

Thanks again for all the advice, be interested your thoughts on the shots (good or bad!)...but remember, they are completely as they came out the camera!

All are at ISO1600, and either F4 or F1.8 on my 50mm, somewhere around 1/3second (exif data should still be available)

Tony

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[Frik]

Just a quick tip Tony - have you thought about spending more on advertising the night?

[TonyHetherington]

thought someone would pick up on that!

There was about 15-20 people there when I took these pics (first act of night, doors barely opened) hence the empty shots. Later when the main band came on, it went to about 30-40, but it was the first night like it and yes, more people were needed!

My band's playing there in a couple of months...hope they advertise the night a bit better

[luca brazzi]

Looked like a very tricky shoot. The lack of audience didn't help.

I had a little play with one of them, into black and white.



LB

[beano500]

luca brazzi said:

I had a little play with one of them, into black and white.

Me too...
Potential there - why not swap those two for people that don't look like they're out of the sixties?

[TonyHetherington]

Very quick play before going to band practice....



and (I quite like this one)

[lowdrag]

I had a bit of fun with Paint Shop Pro and came up with this!

[EmmaP]

That works really well in black and white (excellent use of duotone). It really is a very evocative shot and I am sure that many bands would look at that shot and say, "Yes, that is exactly what it was like when we first started out."

Edited by EmmaP on Wednesday 11th April 18:47

[emenel]

TonyHetherington said:

Very quick play before going to band practice....



and (I quite like this one)

Both of these look great.

[TonyHetherington]

Thanks peeps - particularly proud of that second shot actually, now I've looked at it a fresh this morning

Took some last night at band practice - will hopefully post those later think I might have some crackers!