You may be new to concert photography and are looking for some insight on how to have the best experience. Here are my top tips for concert photographers:
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Follow the rules!
I feel like this shouldn’t have to be said, but here it is, at the top of my list! When you’re photographing a concert, make sure you follow any rules you are given. If the venue says no flash, don’t use flash. If the rule is “first three songs,” shoot your first three songs and then exit the pit. And always listen to the security guards. They’re there to make sure everyone is safe and has a good time. Many times I’ve found myself getting lightly shoved while shooting in the pit, only to turn around and see a crowd surfer barreling towards me! If security tries to move you, kindly move out of the way – it’s for your own safety!
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Understand your camera settings!
This is a given for any genre of photography, but get really familiar with your camera and settings (ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and focusing modes at a minimum!). Research the exposure triangle and experiment with different settings outside of the venues, and learn how different settings affect the outcome of your image.
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Be courteous!
Be courteous to the crowd. Just because you are allowed the privilege of standing the closest to the stage doesn’t mean that you’re more important than the crowd behind you. Limit holding up your camera to take shots from up above. This is distracting for the crowd and gets in their way of seeing the show. Remember, they bought tickets to see the show, not to see you! Be courteous to the performers – don’t do anything to impede their performance. I once saw an uber-cringey video of a photographer moving a mic stand off the stage!! Don’t mess with anything onstage, don’t try to get too close to the performers, and don’t use flash unless it’s permitted! And finally, be courteous to the other photographers around you. Pay attention to where you are and who’s around you. If another photog wants to get by you, let them! Aim to make friends in the pit, not enemies. It’s not a competition; we’re all here to make art and capture moments!
Me (left) and my friend Angela at the Deadlands show. We met shooting Morbid Angel!
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Seek unique angles!
Anyone can take photos of artists dead-on. Try to be creative and find unique angles to view the show. Zoom in and capture the details. Don’t be afraid of more abstract shots. When done right, these unique shots really level up your work and bring excitement to your gallery. Challenge yourself to see things in a way that other people may not see them.
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Capture the energy of the crowd!
It’s not hard to get caught up with what’s going on onstage. The lights, the action, it’s all very exciting and certainly what most photographers focus on when shooting a show. But don’t neglect the crowd behind you! Concert photography is all about capturing the essence of a show, and that includes the crowd! Try to catch genuine moments of the crowd enjoying the show. People flailing at the rail, or mosh pits going wild, I feel that a few high-energy crowd shots can really level up your gallery. Attendees love seeing themselves in these shots, and the bands will appreciate that the effect their performance has on the crowd was memorialized in your images too!
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Plan your shots ahead of time if possible!
Many touring bands repeat the same setlists throughout their tour. Look up the band’s setlist on setlist.fm and then try to find videos of recent shows on Youtube. You’ll find that while each show is unique, many of the performers repeat actions at certain parts of their songs. “Study” the first 3 songs (or the whole set if you’re allowed to shoot the whole show) to identify key moments you wish to capture. Maybe there’s a part of the song when the guitarist always jumps. As you’re shooting the show you know to line up the shot to capture that moment just in time!
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Have fun!
Yes, you’re there to “work.” But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the show! I find performers tend to “play” to me more when they can see that I’m into it. Just don’t lose yourself too much or you may get in the way of other photographers in the pit!
Hopefully this list will help you have a better concert photography experience!