I thought I'd try to give some hints on how to take great pictures at gigs. :)

These apply mostly to digital cameras (as most people use them nowadays):

 

1. Do NOT use the flash on your camera unless you're directly in front of the band. This is because not only will the light bounce off the dust/smoke in the venue back to your camera, creating a "grainy" effect, but chances are the heads in front of you will be the only thing visible, while the band will be too dark to distinguish. Plus bands find it annoying to be constantly blinded from the crowd. :P

 

2. Using a zoom is risky. While the band will appear closer, a camera gets a lot harder to hold steady, and your picture will end up being blurry (so many of my Glastonbury pictures turned out like this). If you're using a 3 megapixel or higher camera, you can always crop the pictures later (which is what I do to a lot of photos)

 

3. If your camera supports it, turn the ISO setting as high as possible. This will reduce blurriness in your photos, and the quality drop is barely noticeable.

 

4. If you're taking pictures indoors in a dark venue, remember that your camera's auto settings will adjust for a long exposure, meaning you'll have to hold the camera steady to get a clear shot. So holding the camera with one hand above your head probably won't turn out. Instead, try to wait for either a spotlight or stage lights to illuminate the stage. Not only will this make your images brighter, but they'll look cooler too (as long as your flash is turned off!) And try to take your pictures as steady as possible with both hands or using a balcony ledge or guardrail to steady the camera.

 

5. If your camera has a "Shutter Priority" setting, I'd recommend taking a few test shots with different shutter times to find a suitable number, then leave it there for most of the time, changing it a little bit for brighter/darker moments. This will allow the camera to adjust the aperture (or circular size of the lens that opens) automatically, meaning your shots will come out looking mostly the same.

 

6. If your camera has manual focus, and you're confident enough in knowing how to adjust it, I'd use it over auto focus. Too many times has someone'e head been in focus while the stage was blurry.

 

I'll add more if I think of any. :)

Very helpful...now if anyone worthwhile comes to Halifax I'll know exactly how to take their photo. :D

pshhh.. i knew that already.. :rolleyes: :P :lol:

 

good info, good info.

 

now if only i had a camera. :D

pshhh.. i knew that already.. :rolleyes: :P :lol:

 

good info, good info.

 

now if only i had a camera. :D

 

HA HA! ditto for me!

Great info...I didn't know that about the ISO...so I definately will have to try that....yah sometimes it is all about how close you are to the band...the closer you are...the better the shots...yah zoom doesn't make it all that clear...but if you are so far that you want anything...I guess it is better than nothing

 

definately all about holding the camera still...I would like to get some of those light shots

that is such a dig at me!

ahhh you've already been to concerts.....and now you see this

that ain't nice

yeh hes slagging off my photo taking skills! :cry: :P

well at least this means next time you go to a concert you know what to do

yeh how about grow a few inches taller?! :P

you can wear stilts :lol:

ahhh nooo i'll fall! :lol:

hmmm maybe, you could get a trampoline :idea2:

yehhhhhhhhhh! hehehe!

and, the band would notice you too :D

and then i could jump on stage and sing with them! :P

yeah :D :P

woooooooooo!

I thought I'd try to give some hints on how to take great pictures at gigs. :)

These apply mostly to digital cameras (as most people use them nowadays):

 

1. Do NOT use the flash on your camera unless you're directly in front of the band. This is because not only will the light bounce off the dust/smoke in the venue back to your camera, creating a "grainy" effect, but chances are the heads in front of you will be the only thing visible, while the band will be too dark to distinguish. Plus bands find it annoying to be constantly blinded from the crowd. :P

 

2. Using a zoom is risky. While the band will appear closer, a camera gets a lot harder to hold steady, and your picture will end up being blurry (so many of my Glastonbury pictures turned out like this). If you're using a 3 megapixel or higher camera, you can always crop the pictures later (which is what I do to a lot of photos)

 

3. If your camera supports it, turn the ISO setting as high as possible. This will reduce blurriness in your photos, and the quality drop is barely noticeable.

 

4. If you're taking pictures indoors in a dark venue, remember that your camera's auto settings will adjust for a long exposure, meaning you'll have to hold the camera steady to get a clear shot. So holding the camera with one hand above your head probably won't turn out. Instead, try to wait for either a spotlight or stage lights to illuminate the stage. Not only will this make your images brighter, but they'll look cooler too (as long as your flash is turned off!) And try to take your pictures as steady as possible with both hands or using a balcony ledge or guardrail to steady the camera.

 

5. If your camera has a "Shutter Priority" setting, I'd recommend taking a few test shots with different shutter times to find a suitable number, then leave it there for most of the time, changing it a little bit for brighter/darker moments. This will allow the camera to adjust the aperture (or circular size of the lens that opens) automatically, meaning your shots will come out looking mostly the same.

 

6. If your camera has manual focus, and you're confident enough in knowing how to adjust it, I'd use it over auto focus. Too many times has someone'e head been in focus while the stage was blurry.

 

I'll add more if I think of any. :)

 

fankoo :D

that is such a dig at me!

 

no, not just you. :tongue:

hehe! we're not all pro photographers like you! :P

oh yeah.... :idea2: :P

hehe!, next time i'll know not to put the flash on!

awww poor Laura!! lol all my Muse piccies came out 'grainy', then again... I used a disposable camera!! :laugh3:

so did i!!!!!!! :P