Hey everyone
I’m shooting a pretty big gig coming up this week. I have done a bit of concert photography for some smaller bands but will be shooting a massive venue with Bloc Party & Interpol headlining.
Just wanted to ask if anyone had any tips I should keep in mind while shooting.
This will also be the first gig where the ‘3 song’ rule will be applied so I’m stressed about getting all that I need within that timeframe.
Any particular shots I should try and get? Also, is it worth trying to see if I can get on stage to shoot from behind?
This is the rules that were sent to me:
“Please note that the photo restrictions are the first three from the pit only and nothing from front of house/crowd after the first three.”
Does this mean it will only be first three and then everything else is just from the crowd?
first three songs only isn’t that much of a constraint: you’re trying to get the set of shots you’d normally try to get in a reduced timeframe, but fortunately bands generally look the same throughout all their songs–you can’t hear anything in a photo, so viewers can’t really tell if a shot is from a big finale or some less popular track.
your job is to make sure you can work through different styles of shots you’ve developed from earlier experience in the time available. if you’re having trouble getting one, don’t stick on it until you’ve got it and move on to the next instead. you can always try again if you find time at the end, but you’ll never get shots you didn’t try at all if you were trying to perfect another
as far as particular shots, make sure to try and get the drummer if you can. it’s a bit up to the design of the venue and stage layout whether that’s possible, but they’re typically the most overlooked because they’re in the back, behind other performers, and surrounded by a big amalgamation of metal and plastic