Joshua Foster at Exit/In, 5/4/11
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Inevitably, every photographer will take photos at a live music show, whether he or she is a professional or hobbyist. It is a great thing to do because it challenges the photographer to learn how to capture sharp images in low-light situations without using a flash.
Recently, I've been shooting more live music for a new music site called Sinizine. Because of this, I've had to overcome technical issues which would lead to a poor-quality image. The most important things I've learned are as follows;
1.) Pay attention to what is going on onstage. As soon as a band or artist hits the stage, it should be obvious of the kind of show they're about to deliver. If you fire off a few shots and then look down at your camera to check them out, you will miss that photo that could have got you into Rolling Stone...had you been more focused.
Tom Pappas of Flesh Vehicle at The Muse, 4/3/11
Jesse Weilburg of Gnarwhal at The Muse, 4/3/11
2.) Set your ISO as low as the available light will allow. The ISO settings on your camera will determine light sensitivity and image quality. In low-light conditions, it's helpful to have the option to go up to ISO 3200 ( or higher, depending on how new your camera is ). However, if you shoot an artist who is onstage with a bright spotlight on them, there's a good chance the subject will be blown out because you've let in too much light. I made this unfortunate mistake with the following photo my first time shooting for Sinizine. I had to do some adjusting to the image after the fact so I would have something to publish, but it made me realize quickly the value of shooting smart. Fortunately, the band had energy to spare and that's what really saved the image in the end.
We Are the In Crowd at Rocketown, 3/9/11
3.) Set your camera to "M". This is the manual setting, which gives you complete control over your images. If you just set your camera to apeture or shutter priority, your camera will decide for you how much light will be let in. Trust me, you are smarter than that! This way, you can get away with a higher shutter speed, no matter what the light meter in your camera is reading.
Geoff Firebaugh at Exit/In, 5/4/11
Mike Herrera at Exit/In, 5/4/11
4.) Show the viewer that there's more than meets the eye. Musicians seem to be living such a charmed life. After all, they get to play all day and drink beer while the rest of us schmoes are working for the man from nine to five, right? Many times, though, musicians are playing for one or two people, or singing above screaming police sirens outside the bar or club. Try to get perspectives in your music shots if you can; this could involve interacting with the artist and finding out what they are comfortable with. Clay Canfield, pictured below, allowed me to photograph from the stage so I could show an artist's reality. Here, there is only one partron in the bar. Canfield literally is singing for the love of it.
Clay Canfield at The Wheel, May, 2010
Last but not least, never underestimate an artist's potential. The photo below was shot on 35mm in the spring of 2008. The husband and wife duo known as Thompson Square were still playing bars on lower Broadway in Nashville then. This April, though, they celebrated their first Number One single and have been nominated for two CMT Awards. While I'm not looking to get rich off of this photo, I'm sure glad I have it in my portfolio.
Kiefer Thompson of Thompson Square at Legend's Corner, spring, 2008
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"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly" ~ The Dali Lama
