Take Photos at Your Next Concert that are Worth Sharing

Summer is concert season in my world, and it got me thinking about all the awful concert photos that I see posted on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and all the other sites I find in my web travels. So, since taking great concert photos really only takes a couple of setting adjustments on your camera, I thought I would do a quick post to help you get great shots the next time you see a favorite performer.

First, let me emphasize that at all times you should respect the rules of the venue and the wishes of the performer. If they say no photos, then please no photos. However, what they usually mean is no FLASH photography. Make sure you clarify this, and then for heaven’s sake turn off your flash. That is the first step in getting better concert photos.

But, you say, it’s dark, and I need the flash to light up everything. No, you don’t. The flash on your camera will light up the backs of the heads of the people in front of you. Unless you are in the first row, there is no way the light from your flash will travel all the way to the performers on stage. So, disable the flash. Step one. Done.

Now, set your ISO to around 400. You might need more, but probably not. Then put your camera in “p” mode (not fully auto), aim the camera at a well-lit area of the stage, and do a half-press. While doing the half press, read the settings the camera has selected. It will probably give you a shutter speed around 125 and a f/stop of around 5.6 or 7.  Since the most important thing to control is motion blur and camera shake, make sure your shutter speed is set around 125 or 200 and adjust your f/stop as needed to get the proper exposure. In fact, if you have shutter priority mode, you can set it on shutter priority, select your preferred shutter speed and let the camera choose the f/stop. This is good if you get some dark and moody shots.

Bottom line; you are using the stage lighting as your source. This will be the best light source in the room, because the performers want the audience to see them!

And now you are good to go. You may have to make some adjustments on the fly, but for the most part, once you set the exposure, it should be good for most of the pictures you take. Now you can be the envy of your friends with all the great shots you’ll have of the next rock and roll show!

Here are a few keepers I took at the Paramount when that dreamy Chris Isaak  came to town. Not a flash image in the set, I promise!