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Shooting live music can be hard due to the extreme lighting conditions mixed with dark venues, but here are a few tip to help you get through the festival season and capture the best possible photos of your favorite bands.

The first decision is what to take, be sure to travel light, whilst trying to be prepared for all situations. You will often see professional concert photographers carrying 2 or 3 cameras strapped across them – these photographers will usually have a press pass and be working for a major publication, which gives them this access and permission to carry such professional equipment.

For everybody else most venues and festivals have strict rules and guidelines to not let in professional equipment, which is considered as any camera with a removable lens.

So here are some quick tips;

Go as much as possible the more people you meet at shows and the more people that know you just goes t show the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is worth it’s weight in gold. if you become known as a photographer, people will willing to help you out and may start asking you to shoot their shows for them.

Get a press pass try to befriend the club owners, the band or any publications that may use the images. You can send links with the photos through email or any social networking site. Call ahead and try to arrange to take photos in exchange for access as a photographer.

Arrive early, leave late once you are inside the venue have a look around for any colours, lighting, backgrounds on stage that could make your images more interesting. Stay around after the show and ask to take a portrait of the band. These photos are priceless and can quickly build up your portfolio and reputation.

Be prepared have everything ready before the show. Make sure your camera is charged, card is formatted and flash is firing. There’s nothing worse than missing a shot because of technical difficulties.

Find different perspectives and angles to shoot from move around the venue. Don’t just shoot from one place. Get wide shots from the behind the crowd, close ups from the front row, crowd shots and even go backstage if you can.

Be considerate of others in the crowd try not to obstruct others view – remember they have paid to be there. The less noticed you are the better.

The work doesn’t stop when the concert does make sure to follow up your photos, share them with others as soon as possible. Send them to the bands and Venues as they may want to use them for promotional purposes. The faster you send them the better.

Get on the mailing list sign up on email lists for different bands and venues to keep track of who’s playing where and when. Stay ahead of the competition, this will help you get the access and permission you need to photograph your favourite musicians.

1. Be comfortable!

The key to a good photograph is getting the subject to be relaxed. if your model is happy and comfy in what they are wearing you have a good chance of capturing them looking themselves.

2. Clothes for context

A persons outward appearance really does say a lot about who they are and what we think of them and the clothes worn convey meaning. Telling us something about the person. For this reason think carefully about what you’re trying to achieve in your images.

If you want to go crazy do so with bright colours and crazy patterns, if you are wanting a more formal shot dress accordingly.

3. Dark and plain clothes

A simple dark top really allows the focus to be on the persons face, another bonus of darker clothes is that they tend to be slimming.

Be careful with this though as depending on a persons complexion it can have negative effects – someone with a fair complexion can leave too much of a contrast whilst someone with dark skintones can leave you with not enough

4. Colours and patterns

Bright colours can be a great way to get some life and vibrance into your photos, especially with children.

If your a photographing a group be careful not to clash colours or patterns

Different shades and tones of colours can work well throughout a group leaving you looking in sync with each other without having fallen into the boyband trap of all wearing the same outfit.

5. One last thing

Remember if you are planning on showing these photos off on the walls for a few years you don’t want them to end up looking dated so consider that in your style choice too!

Have fun experimenting, always remember the best way to find things out and see what does and doesn’t work is by trying it for yourself. If you do get any great results or maybe things that haven’t worked quite so well post them on here so everyone else can see.

1. Think in groups

Having a large number of people to photograph at one time can be quite a daunting prospect. Simply break the larger group down into smaller pairs and groups of three’s when composing your shot

2. Use different levels

By placing different members of the group at different height levels you help to add more interest into your frame.

3. Colour

You don’t all need to be wearing the same outfit but having theme running throughout can really help the overall flow. This can be along the lines of pastel, bold or vibrant colours etc.

4. Use the shade

Shaded areas such as under tree cover or the back side of the building can really help to diffuse the harsh midday sun leaving you with better results.

5. Have fun and be spontaneous!

Try something different to your ordinary formal posing. Get everybody walking, running, dancing or even jumping in the air. These type of shots capture a genuine expression and the variety really helps keep everybody interested and having fun!

The more complex the scene is the less likely you are going to get a great shot. Try to keep backgrounds and foregrounds uncluttered and where possible work with natural light. If you have to use artificial light try to keep it simple using as few lights as possible.

2. Be Ready

Be as prepared as you can before your subject arrives. Have your camera and any lighting you may be using all set up and ready to go. Scout out your location so you know where you want to shoot. Take some test shots before they arrive, you don’t want to keep them waiting and you catch them while they are still fresh.

3. Shoot into the light

Using the sun as a backlight can create great effects when shooting outdoors. It adds interest, depth and can also help bring colour into your photos. When doing this you need to use a lens hood and also play around with using fill in flash.

4. Change the angle the you shoot from

Shooting from slightly below your subjects eyeline it can be much more flattering. This works for both sitting and standing, if using studio lights try to lighting the subject from slightly below this line too.

In your portrait the person is the main point of interest, by using different backgrounds and placing them in different contexts you can dramatically alter the mood of a shot. 

Sometimes it is best to keep the background as minimalistic as possible, other times it can give you and extra depth to the character you are photographing. The key is experimentation to see what works.

Here are a few examples of how backgrounds can change the mood of photographs, why not have a go and upload your photos to share with others?

I was then asked “which side is it better to put people on, the left or the right?”

In truth there is no answer to this as it doesn’t matter - the only thing to take into account is this;

As a rule in photography if a person or animal you are photographing is looking in one direction it is better to place them on the opposite side of the frame.

In the photo attached you can this being used to good effect - she is not being photographed head on, her head is pointing to the right and looking into the space give in the frame.

The reason behind doing this is to draw the viewers eyes in the direction your subject is looking and creates a natural flow through the photograph.

The technique can be used to create some stunning results, remember to apply the rules of thirds too. Have a try and see what you can come up with – why not post some online here.

the killers

One of the oldest and well known approaches to composition is the ‘Rule of Thirds‘.

It forms the basis for well balanced and interesting shots drawing the eye into the image.

Its not the only way to take an interesting composition, and I break this rule all the time, but if you would like to get used to basic rules of how to frame your subject – this is a good starting point.

As in the image at the top – you need to break down your shot area into 9 parts. Some people will do this automatically in their heads, some will learn it and others may use guides on their camera screens.

The grid now has four important parts of the image where it could be best to place your subject as you frame your image.

The idea is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines – your photo becomes more balanced and natural. You can also apply this rule after you have captured a shot by cropping with the grid in mind.

It is surprising how often you will see this rule applied in photography and video. Have a try and see what you can come up with – why not post some online here.