What to bring for a night outdoor concert shoot

[vonlichenstein]

Need a little help from you guys here, I might be covering a concert in a couple of weeks time at *scape youth park. I'd just like to check before i agree to do it whether i'll have the right gear for it.

Assuming the event will be held at night/in the evening, what kinda lenses/flash would you guys bring? I'm using a D80 with grip and a measly SB-600. i've a budget of $100 to rent lenses.

Thanks!

 

[ortega]

a fast WA and a fast tele
up your iso to at least 800 and enjoy yourself

 

[vonlichenstein]

a fast WA and a fast tele
up your iso to at least 800 and enjoy yourself

fwah thanks ortega, thats a very fast reply. would a 70/80-200mm f2.8 for the bill for the fast tele?

And, what sort of shots are usually wanted at such events. the die-die-must-have shots. i'll be taking a look in the Ready, Lights, Action corner of course, but just so i get a clear idea, what are the "standard" shots that have to be captured?

 

[ortega]

it depends on how far away from the stage you are going to be

for me, when i used to take concerts, I cover the must haves first, solo shot of each member of band, group shot of band, atmosphere shot of stage, screaming fans.
once you got that, you can try to be creative with slow shutter speed or if flash is allowed rear curtain sync movement shots.

best is to scour the magazines

 

[vonlichenstein]

it depends on how far away from the stage you are going to be

for me, when i used to take concerts, I cover the must haves first, solo shot of each member of band, group shot of band, atmosphere shot of stage, screaming fans.
once you got that, you can try to be creative with slow shutter speed or if flash is allowed rear curtain sync movement shots.

best is to scour the magazines

thanks for the advice. i'll go poke arnd in the mags my office has.

 

[ortega]

some stuff from eons ago, shot on film

WA - local band

Tele - inxs

 

[ortega]

head and shoulders - Michael Bolton (when he still had hair)

matallica

and a slow shutter speed shot - also matalicca

 

[WuffRuff]

Need a little help from you guys here, I might be covering a concert in a couple of weeks time at *scape youth park. I'd just like to check before i agree to do it whether i'll have the right gear for it.

Assuming the event will be held at night/in the evening, what kinda lenses/flash would you guys bring? I'm using a D80 with grip and a measly SB-600. i've a budget of $100 to rent lenses.

Thanks!

Hi, I have shot a concert at scape park before and you don't need a tele lens as the stage is very small. Even if you want to get close up shots like head and shoulder, on a non-FF, 50mm is the longest you will need if you can get on stage. Get a wide fast lens and a mid range fast lens. Since you are renting, perhaps you can rent a wide to medium zoom lens but they will be slower than primes, unless you don't mind to up ISO or use flash.

Are you gonna be shooting the drumsfest on the 30th there?
Heheh... I leaked your beans out. You doing this for friend or company?
PM me, I will be heading there for that concert too... maybe we can meet up.

 

[Andy Ang]

You know what, go early to get a good spot. It beats having better equipments. ;-)

 

[vonlichenstein]

haha if i accept, i'll be official photog for another event, not drumfest. i've never shot an event before (usually i just shoot portraits at events) so yeah, i'm a bit worried haha.

 

[2nd-Hamsterlord]

haha if i accept, i'll be official photog for another event, not drumfest. i've never shot an event before (usually i just shoot portraits at events) so yeah, i'm a bit worried haha.

Dont worry be happy. Heex, at least you got the chance to shoot an event. All the best to you

 

[Prismatic]

As mentioned, you generally need fast lenses and higher ISO, depending on the concert lighting. Concert lights can be quite bright, it's just that they are in different colours so they dun look as such.

If you know who the performers and what they are performing, you can anticipate the high points in their repetoire and be ready for their actions. Capture the performers, capture the crowd and capture the atmosphere!

You probably will not be using the flash much as the white colour of the flash light will be in contrast to the coloured lights.

 

[vonlichenstein]

fwah thats alot of good advice that came in real quick. thanks alot guys! it really helps.

on a slightly different note, what are the things to look out for/include when preparing a contract for a concert shoot?

 

[jacob]

just wanna add 2 cents worth. bring ear plugs and water to drink.

 

[vonlichenstein]

just wanna add 2 cents worth. bring ear plugs and water to drink.

LOL @ ear plugs (they do make sense though)

anyway i didn't accept the job, and they got another photog.

cause they wanted me to shoot for free and its not a charity event. Hur they wanted me to get a second photog sum more. lol.

 

[Andy Ang]

Good decision you've made here. BTW, its prime time that you close this thread! See you around!

 

[vonlichenstein]

Good decision you've made here. BTW, its prime time that you close this thread! See you around!

aye! i forgot to close the thread! thanks for the reminder :bsmilie: