Lighting Digital Field Guide

Chapter 9. Concert and Event Photography

For the beginning photographer, concert and event photography can seem like the easiest thing in the world to shoot. There is action swirling all around you and the colors, sights, and sounds can be highly exhilarating. Everywhere you point your camera it seems, is an awesome photo just waiting to happen. How hard can it be to capture this genuine excitement, you might think, when all you have to do is set the camera to Program and shoot? Taking that approach may get you a few good shots of the action, but with a little forethought, planning, and careful consideration of the lighting qualities, your event images can quickly improve from good to great. This chapter aims to provide you with lighting tips and advice that in turn give you the confidence you need to make spectacular images at your next concert or special event.

Being sensitive to the nuances of the stage lighting can help you plan better times to shoot as the event unfolds. By shooting a few frames and then checking the camera's LCD monitor for the image review and histogram, you can make exposure adjustments on the fly to quickly record optimal images. Exposure: ISO 800, f/4, 1/40 second.

Preparation and Considerations

The most successful approach to concert and event photography (and by event I mean anything from a family member's birthday party to parades and conferences) is to ...