Tip on the Pit – Photographer’s help

WordPress archive doesn’t seem the easiest to browse, even more difficult if you are after the topic of the photographers’ tip I write at the end of each post. In this page you have the full list of helps that you may love if you belong to the wonderful world of live music photographers, now categorized in improbable categories!

Before the Gig

Ask for the policy in advance… or shoot the mixer
Bring the e-mail!
Confirm your photopass
Don’t forget the earplugs
Google it! Search for images of the band you are shooting
Knowing the band in advance
Open air? Bring a Raincoat (UK mostly)
Shall I shoot the support band?

General Technique

Backlights, don’t complain make use of it!
Bad Luck, Is burst mode the solution?
Bright lights and dark lights, how to set your cameras
Excellent lighting
Dark room with just a spotlight
Horizontal or vertical?
Manual Focusing
My film, my developer, my procedure
Overdeveloping a negative by accident, is that lost forever?
Overemphasizing the contrast, a trick to save poor, dark images
Sharpness, what a challenge!
Silhouette
Slow, second curtain synchro flash
Spot-Metering
Strobe Lights
TTL Flash
Use of the depth of field

My Tricks

Backstage shootings
Catching a running frontman
Chasing a jumping frontman
Crowd-surfing
How to use band names on the background
Image on the back
Interpret the subject
Keyboard(ist)s
Lit up logo on the back
Make use of the band’s name on the drum
Microphone, the bastard!
Photographying videos
Tilted images
What to do when you can’t do nothing?
Why Colour?

Lenses and gear

A cheap alternative to telephoto zoom: 135mm f2.8
Portrait lens: 85mm f1.4
Ultra wide-angle: 18mm
The Lens Hood

Bands on Stage

Big Bands
Duos – just the 2 of them
Frame the whole band on stage
Head Worn Microphone
Interaction within band members
Interaction between band and audience
Long hair: a rock classic
Movie stars
Oh no! He is sitting in front of a microphone!
Shooting the drummer!
Shooting two drummers!!
Sitting performer
Supergroups
What if the performers wears a hat?
Without a drummer on stage

Survival Guide

Artists extravagance
Artists tantrums
Crowded photographer pits
Details – Ignore the band
Drum Kit, ampli, cables and more unwanted stuff on stage while the support is on
Flying pints and (surf)crowd madness
Protecting your gear
Smoke machines and bloody fog on stage!
More on smoke machines and how to turn it into creative photos
Take the pictures, you’ll look at them at home.
Yes, you can shoot the support as well!
What to do to stay in the venue for the entire concert.

Kind of Venues

All-seated venues
Low stage venues
High stage venues
No-pit venues
No-Pit and bouncy!
The Pub Backdoor
Shooting from the back of the venue

Famous Rock Places

Brixton Academy – London
Bush Hall – London
(Cambridge) Barfly (RIP)
Islington Academy – London
Junction – Cambridge
Koko (Indie fashion) – London
Lexington – London
London Coliseum
Luminaire, London – “The UK’s best live music venue”
Rough Trade East, London – The in-store gig
ULU, London – A university bar
Union Chapel, London – Rock goes to the church
Astoria (RIP) – London

Complain, request, appeals and tip for the bands and their managements

Appeal: Why not “LAST 3 songs, no flash”?
Beyond 3 songs – Shooting the entire show
Call against photographers’ form agreement
Giving pictures for free, when and when not.
Help the photographer, perform!
One more call and an even worse agreement form
One song, no flash, left side of the stage, what the hell are you talking about?
Photography needs light, switch it on, please!
Photopass stickers
Why photographers take tabloid snaps?

After the Gig

Back up your photos!
Don’t give away your photos for free!
Post production – How to select the best shots