Attending a music concert is one of the most enjoyable activities we can experience. We can groove to the music played by the musicians or sing along with the vocalist’s lyrics. Even capturing a photo of our favorite musician performing on stage is a great way to remember the event. The photos can be uploaded on social media and shared with our friends. In order to take the best concert photos, our site recommends using a DSLR camera, which has settings that can produce better results. However, if the concert venue prohibits bringing a DSLR camera, you can still use your mobile phone camera with the help of the following concert photography tips:
1. Follow the ‘Three Songs’ and ‘No Flash’ Rules
For those unfamiliar with the term, these rules are commonly understood by photographers and journalists. Generally, photographers are given 10 minutes (around 3 songs of the musician) to capture moments while the musician is performing on stage. Meanwhile, the rule not to use flash is because it will interfere with the lighting on stage, causing photos to appear flat.
2. Use the Right Gear
To capture moments at a music concert, use the appropriate gear. Bring lenses with wide apertures. Bring your DSLR camera, regardless of the brand you own. Additionally, include fixed-focus lenses with medium-to-long focal lengths, such as 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.4. You may also need to bring an all-round lens with a large aperture, such as 24-70mm f/2.8.
3. Adjust ISO Settings
In reality, any type of camera will not be a barrier to producing good concert photos. However, if possible, use a camera with an ISO of 800 or higher. One example of a camera with a reasonable ISO and affordable price is the Canon EOS 400D. ISO 800 is very useful for reducing noise in concert photos. However, since lighting at concerts is usually minimal, you can increase the ISO to 1,600. Even though the photos may contain a lot of noise, trust that the results will appear sharper after increasing the ISO.
4. The Lens is Your Ultimate Weapon
Playing with lenses is part of the concert photography tips we are sharing today. When capturing moments at a music concert, our site recommends using lenses with large apertures, namely F/2.8 or below. Unfortunately, lenses with large apertures are commonly priced very high. However, lenses with a large aperture can be used to take pictures from a somewhat further distance. If you get the opportunity to take photos from the stage edge, use a wide or prime lens with a medium aperture. Make sure you get a good position and lighting to produce cool photos.
5. Set White Balance Automatically
A music concert is incomplete without colorful lighting. These can help a photographer take great photos while also posing challenges to the photographer when adjusting the white balance. Therefore, set the white balance to auto for your camera and optimize the setting if needed.
Capture the amazing moments at a music concert with these concert photography tips. Using the right gear, adjusting the settings, and attempting to achieve great angles and positions can result in fantastic photos that will last a lifetime. So, make sure to review the tips above before attending the next concert.
