Bermingham Cameras
Online Shopping
Contact Information
Bermingham Cameras,
9 Burgh Quay,
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 6772205
Fax: 01 6719166
Email: info@berminghamcameras.ie
For those about to (photograph) rock …
>> Roger Woolman
When it comes to live rock and pop photography I'm often asked how I shot such and such and what lens did I use etc. etc. In these days of digital superiority for journalist applications and beyond it is easy to check the image data to see the technical underpinnings of a shot. When we were still shooting on film all I had to do was to look at a shot (of my own) and I would be able to tell you the exact same data without this wonderful technology and today I still can. How come? Because the technical aspects of shooting live music photography are very simple …
The technical considerations are determined by one major factor. The subject. The artist. Really! The shooting environment that you are going to be placed in is entirely dependant on the artist in question. I know, you thought it was all about light and stuff!
>> Small
If I'm shooting teenage punks on a Saturday afternoon the chances are that the venue will be small and dark with a couple of red spotlights glowing away, always red. There's also a good chance that there's no organized security pit at the front of stage and I'm going to have to squeeze up to the stage and let my head be used as a trampoline for the crowd-surfers. I'm going to need to get nice and close and pick a nice fast, wide lens - think 20mm/f2.8 or similar. I'm also going to need to get creative with the lighting and go for some of that slow-shutter with flash if I'm to freeze any action at all. Those two red bulbs aren't going to make the pages of any magazine. There are very few other techniques that will work in this venue. I'll be banking on a film speed of ISO 800 no doubt.
>> Medium
Popular artist in an indoor venue, say a few thousand in attendance. Way hey! Guess what? We have lights, lots of them. We also have a nice security pit that we can (as accredited photographers) have access to. I'm now looking for my medium telephoto lens 85mm and maybe a standard 50mm, both 1.4 or 1.8. I want the sharpest shots and the quickest lenses - a zoom will never cut it for me, except when I have to - see below. Expect a film speed of between 400 and 800. You will no longer be allowed to use flash and will probably be shooting for just a few songs (unless you've been hired by the band) so open that lens to a large aperture and go for a nice fast shutter speed. You will also have a fair bit of room to moveabout and can back-off for nice compositions, forget the headshots these are for the newspapers not for the rock photographer! A well place wide shot or two is nice if you have the time.
Tips & Tricks
Copyright (c) 2008 Bermingham Cameras
Web service by BIL
>> And Large!
Mega-size artist in an arena! The atmosphere is superb and you'll be surrounded by other photographers from the press. Funny how they're all shooting with the same gear? Not really, as I said this is determined by the artist who is now on a huge, elevated stage, lots of lights but not as powerful as those in the indoor venue. I hate to say it but you're going to need to get out that telephoto zoom lens, think 80-200mm and upwards. This must be at least f2.8 and should have some sort of additional focussing speed/motor i.e. your basic zoom will not be quick enough in any respect. You'll be shooting wide open at around 250-500th of a second at ISO 800/1600. You will have the exact same tools and positions available as every other photographer. The challenge is to walk away with the best shot and hopefully a classic rock image for many years.
How to shoot a great live rock and roll image?
So now we know that we really have very little choice in terms of lenses, film speeds, shutter and aperture - it is all decided by the environment that we are placed in according to the success or style of that artist, but that's okay … we want to capture the rock moment and the environment that we're in is part and parcel of that moment.
I always say that I get my best images when I'm tapping my feet, rocking
out whilst trying to hold my camera steady! You have to be passionate about your subject in any area of photography. Being passionate about the artist in front of you helps you to pre-visualize the image that you want to make of them. Often my first shot of a gig is my favourite. It's the one that I had in my head all day before I arrived. Do not follow any rules of composition that you have been taught, do not look at what the other photographers are doing . There maybe 20 photographers at a large gig, you need to capture an image that exists inside your head only and not just record the obvious. You need to become part of the whole experience.
Live music photography for me then is a combination of two elements. The first is very simple, the correct equipment and techniques - these are forced upon us by the environment. The second is a part of rock and roll itself.
Roger Woolman
aka The Music Photographer
www.themusicphotographer.com