Passion in Pictures

By Ian Wedgewood & Kris Krüg posted 01/02/08

We're using music photography to illustrate this week’s technique.

It's hard for a musician to perform without passion so it's our job as photographers to capture that moment in time. So how do we do it? Well the first thing is to turn your flash off! It's really distracting at gigs for the musician. Besides in many venues flash photography isn't allowed, so you can't use it anyway! What's more musicians are often lit by dramatic light which changes by the second, so before you start snapping, study the lights; what colours there are, where are they aiming and what effects are happening.

Often it’s the lead singer who is the best lit, and they should be your first photo opportunity, while it is the drummer who’s usually the most difficult capture. Try to shoot each member of the band though, it’s often their dynamism and interaction on stage that provides the most compelling of images. Different bands, performers and orchestras all offer different photo opportunities, so use your instinct and take some ear plugs!

How do you deal with the crowd? Get in there, sharpen your elbows and push to the front, don't be scared to look for different angles. If you need to get down on one knee amongst all the beer, then do it. Sometimes you'll need to speak to the venue, but always make yourself known to the band. Whatever camera you use try and make yourself as stable as possible, try to lean you or your camera against a bar, railings or whatever else you can find. Experiment! Slow shutter speeds and action can often create interesting effects.

Thanks to MindStudio for this technique

  • Words by Ian Wedgewood

Thanks to Kris Krüg for providing the photos for this technique

You can find more of Kris over at staticphotography.com

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  • Buddyicon

    NarcissisticVanity said...

    Just a quick add, please remember that most music venues in the UK dont allow DSLR or SLR photography unless you have a press/photography pass. So be careful and dont just turn up with your camera or you wont be able to take it in with you. Point and Shoots are of course fully useable in all venues.

    Posted on 06/02/2008 02:14

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    hunthobart said...

    How do you go about getting press passes and things for these venues?

    Posted on 09/03/2008 19:33

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  • 22722461@N07

    nigal goodship said...

    ive dont my first shot for a tribute band,i just said "ill give you a cd of all the photo's.they were happy.in the thirty minuets they were on i played will b/w and shutter speeds.and with and without flash.i learned alot from the expearance.my advice from my expearance,go to a smaller veniue,not a major arena.im sure every band will be happy to have some free phtos,some might ask you for more,and pay.make sure the pub/club has half decent lighting rig..it makes all the differance. one more thing..i recently done a shot in b'ham and the pub had l.e.d lighting rig..totaly differant set up for the camera...oddly better picies...why??

    Posted on 22/03/2008 10:47

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  • 22183863@N08

    Paulm0bsw said...

    With great difficulty

    Posted on 12/04/2008 20:59

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