Rock Photography

Rock Out With Your Digital Camera

Have you ever wanted to photograph a rock concert? It's fun, the band is often unpredictable, and you never know just what kind of great shots you're going to end up with because every concert is so different. If rock photography is something you've never done before, then I've got a few tips that will help you make your first shoot a great experience.

Get Permission

One of the first things you need to do before embarking on the great shoot with digital camera in hand is make sure you have permission to actually take pictures at the show. This could be something as simple as asking the band or band's manager (if you know them) or it may be as involved as securing a full-out photo pass weeks before the gig. No matter what hoops--big or small--that you have to jump through to get permission, never skip this step. It could be the difference between getting great shots to add to your portfolio or having your camera taken away and getting kicked out of the gig!

Shoot Manually

No matter how advanced or expensive your digital camera may be, chances are that if you rely solely on any kind of automatic mode you will be disappointed with the results. Sure, some of the shots may come out fine, but since most concerts use a ton of different lighting effects and schemes, most shots will just be rubbish. Therefore, you'll want to keep your digital camera in manual mode for the shoot. That way, you can check your shots throughout the night and make adjustments accordingly.

Never Use a Flash

Using a flash will only accomplish two things: 1.) Ruining the ambience of your shots, and 2.) Upsetting the band, manager, promoter, security, and fans with the constant flash from your camera. There may be some cases where using a flash is permissible, but make absolutely certain that this is something you both want to do and have permission to do.

Above All, Have Fun

Shooting a rock band with a digital camera is a rewarding experience. It's also a lot of fun. Make sure you not only do your best to get the best shots, but make sure you enjoy yourself in the process.