Australian Photography – September 2019

Like anything, research is critical. When you arrive

at a venue, scope out possible shooting positions. Turn

your camera on and start noting light readings, take

some test shots, and note any adjustments you may
need to make. Doing this research before the band

starts will mean you'll already have a mental shot list

ready when the gig starts.
Look around you, up and down, and all around.

Here's a tip - consider the way the lights are positioned,

and if you can anticipate the angles the lights will hit
when they are activated you'll be able to plan some

shots in advance when the lights are focused on a par-

ticular part of the stage or audience.
As well as the lights above, pay attention to ground

level. Musicians often have their setlist taped on the

f loor of the stage that can mark a good starting point
to your story.

Remember that much of the concert experience is

about emotion and energy, and just like a good live

show, the audience will also have peaks and f lows. At
the beginning, the crowd usually has a different energy

level and relaxed shots of them, lingering, anticipating

or just chilling, are good to help balance more high
energy images you'll capture later.

KNOW THE MUSIC

That research I mentioned earlier should also extend to

the artist you plan to shoot. Know some of their songs,

and get a sense of the energy of their music. Is it high

energy, fast paced or languid and moody? This will

help prepare you for what to capture and can also help

indicate the distance you may want between camera

and subject, ie: your lens choice. Tight shots are great

for capturing the strength or fragility of a performance

while wider shots can help give a sense of grandeur.

This research will also help you be prepared for

those potential special ‘moments’ in a set. There is usu-

ally a point in a song where the singer, for example, will

be hitting peak energy. Know when it may come, and

be ready to catch that through the lens.

KEEP YOUR PERSPECTIVE

I personally prefer a close, tighter shot when it comes to

shooting a live band. I find it pulls the viewer onto the

stage, closer to the sweat, and the intensity and perfor-

mance of the artist.

Some shots to consider as part of your shot list are

the crowd, the individual band members and the whole

group. I suggest if you are shooting a band, make sure

ABOVE: This perspective

engages the energy on

stage during a rock band.

The angle of the leg is not a

‘casual’ pose...he is clearly

in the middle of a moment.

Fujifilm X-T2, Voigtlander

58mm f1.4 lens. 1/200s

@ f1.4, ISO 2500.

LEFT: The side profile,

the reflection on the piano

and the background all tell

the story of this artist.

These angles are not

intrusive to a performer

and they will likely be very

relaxed and not posed at

all, while the instruments

and venue allude to what

is to come. Fujifilm X-T2,

XF23mmF2 R WR lens.

1/160s @ f3.2, ISO 3200.

PHOTO TIPS: MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY