From a concert and event photographer in Mukilteo, Washington

Introduction

I’ve been into photography for about 5 years now and I have to say that one of my favorite genres of photography is concert photography. I certainly wouldn't call myself an expert concert photographer by any means, but I'd like to give some insight based on the experiences I've had.

There’s just something about being able to capture a moment in time during a live performance that excites any concert photographer. Below I'll discuss some of the pros and cons of concerts and live music events, and a few concert photography tips on how to get the best pictures possible.

Hopefully, this will help those of you who may be interested in trying to capture photos at concerts you attend. So grab your photo passes, and get your camera gear out to the nearest concert!

Pros of Concert Photography

1. The excitement of photographing a live performance

There is nothing quite like the excitement of photographing a live performance. Whether it's a rock concert or a ballet recital, the challenge of capturing the energy and emotion of the moment in a live music event is always exhilarating. Of course, it's not always easy to get great photos at a live event, especially if you're stuck in a crowded photo pit. The lighting is often poor, and the action can be fast and chaotic. But with a little patience and skill, it is possible to get some truly stunning shots. And when everything comes together, live music photography can be magical.

2. The challenge of getting good shots in a low-light environment

Low-light photography can be both challenging and rewarding. When light levels are low, it can be difficult to get a sharp, well-exposed image. However, the challenge of getting a good shot in almost no light can also be part of the appeal.

Capturing a beautiful image in dim conditions can be a real accomplishment. Low-light photography often requires the use of a tripod or other stabilizing device, as well as a slow shutter speed. This means that you have to be patient and take your time to get the best shot.

The result is often worth the effort, making low-light photography an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

3. The importance of timing and anticipation

When it comes to concert photography, timing is everything. To get the shot, you need to be able to anticipate the action on stage and be ready to click the shutter at just the right moment. This can be difficult, as there is often a lot happening on stage at any given time. However, with a bit of practice, you will start to see patterns in the music and the movement of the performers. This will help you to predict when the best moments will occur and give you the split-second reaction time you need to capture them.

Anticipation is key in concert photography – if you can learn to anticipate the action, you will be able to take some truly remarkable shots.

Another thing that helps with anticipating the action on stage is knowing the songs that are being sung. I make a habit of photographing concerts or bands that sing songs that I know. When you know the song, it's much easier to predict when the high point is going to be. Knowing this makes getting that "perfect shot" a little easier.

4. Capturing the energy and emotion of the performance

A great concert photo captures the energy and emotion of the performance, freezing a moment in time that can be relived again and again. While it may seem like a daunting task to photograph a fast-moving target in dim lighting, with a little practice, anyone can take great concert photos.

One of the most important things to remember is to focus on the lead singer. They are usually the center of attention and will be surrounded by bright stage lights.

Also, be cognizant of the other band members. The lead singer is very important, but you are photographing an entire band and should do all you can to highlight the other band members as much as possible.

Another tip is to use a faster shutter speed to freeze the action. And if possible, shoot from a higher vantage point so you can see over the crowd and include more of the music venue.

5. Editing and post-processing your photos

It's important to edit your concert photos. This means making them look better so people will be able to see what happened at the concert.

Shoot raw photos to give yourself the most advantage when editing difficult concert photos. Raw shooting captures more information that can be used to make the photo look better in post production.

You'll have a much greater range for adjusting the brightness and contrast in your photos. You might have to convert some photos to black and white if it was a dark concert or if there were particularly difficult lighting conditions.

One major perk to shooting bands with a Fuji camera is that the raw photos the camera produces work well with most post processing programs. The color and overall sharpness of images make them very easy to deal with during post-processing.

Cons of concert photography

1. It can be difficult to get a good shot in low light

Concerts are notoriously difficult to photograph. Very little light, fast movement, and changing stage lighting can all conspire to produce less-than-perfect results.

To get a good shot, photographers need to be able to adjust their camera settings on the fly to account for the changing conditions. Even the best cameras can struggle in low light, so it's important to understand how to properly expose a photo in low light. A slower shutter speed is often necessary for low light, which can make it difficult to capture a sharp image of a moving subject.

In addition, stage lighting can create hot spots from the bright lighting bursts that can blow out areas of the photo. By being aware of these challenges, concert photographers can be better prepared to get great shots in low-light conditions.

2. Capturing the action can be challenging

As any concert-goer knows, capturing the action on stage can be challenging. The lighting is often dim, and the performers are constantly moving.

As a result, great shots can be hard to come by. However, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting the perfect shot.

First, shoot lots of pictures. Even if most of them are blurry or dark, you're likely to get a few keepers.

Second, try to focus on a specific area of the stage. This will help you capture more detail in your photos.

Finally, be patient and wait for the perfect moment. With a little luck, you'll be able to capture the best shots of the entire show.

3. Timing is important

Timing is important in concert photography because great shots are often those that are taken at the perfect moment. This can be a split second before or after something happens, and it can be from different angles. Many photographers find concert photography difficult and unappealing due to the challenges of capturing that fleeting split-second moment.

The best shots are often taken when the photographer can anticipate what is about to happen, and this can be difficult to do when there are so many things going on at once. In addition, the lighting conditions at concerts can be challenging, and it can be difficult to get good images without using a flash.

4. Capturing the energy and emotion of the performance can be difficult

Capturing the energy and emotion of a performance can be difficult in a variety of ways. One challenge is low-light stage situations. It can be difficult to get clear images when the subject is only lit by stage lights.

This is especially true in small venues where the lighting may be less than ideal. Another challenge is fast movement. Capturing onstage action can be tricky, especially if the performers are moving around a lot. Finally, large crowds can make it difficult to get clear shots of the performers.

When there are people in front of the camera, it can be hard to get a clear view of the stage. Despite these challenges, capturing the energy and emotion of a performance is possible with some patience and planning. With careful shooting, it is possible to get great images even in low light conditions and with fast-moving subjects. And by being strategic about positioning, it is possible to get clear shots even when there are crowds present. Getting great shots of bands that also show decent crowds helps bands that are new to the local scene.

Best camera gear for concert photography

Any photographer will tell you that gear matters. But when it comes to concert photography, certain types of gear are essential. We've all seen impossible low light moments, where it takes a miracle as well as great gear to get a great shot. To get the best images in low light stage situations, you need fast lenses that can capture more light.

Keep in mind, there are many amazing systems from many different brands, and any legitimate music photographer is tell you that there's no such thing as a perfect camera.

Other photographers may tell you that Sony is the best brand and their cameras have the fewest camera restrictions. Other photographers will also say the same thing about Nikon, Canon, and even Leica. Ultimately, it's up to what you prefer for your music photography.

Lenses with wide apertures are also helpful, as they allow you to capture more of the stage without having to use a flash (which can be disruptive to the concert experience). And if you're shooting in small venues, using a high ISO on your camera can help you get the best images possible.

The camera I use for concert photography

The Fuji XT-4 is one of the great modern cameras for capturing images at concerts. The camera has great ISO capability, allowing you to keep your shutter speeds high, and freeze all the high-speed concert action.

The color science used in fuji cameras is also excellent, and the 26.4-megapixel sensor makes sense for the high-quality images you'll want to take. Additionally, the autofocus system is very good, making it easy to get sharp images even when there's a lot of movement.

The lenses I use for concert photography

The Fuji XF 33mm f1.4 LM WR

This lens is a great choice for anyone who wants to take beautiful photos. With its wide aperture and sharpness, it's perfect for taking photos of shows, bands, and live music.

This is a lens that allows you to take concert photography to new heights. Thanks to its two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, the XF 33mm captures very clear, detailed images even at wider apertures. Images also show almost no chromatic aberration, which is amazing.

The LM stands for Linear Motor, which makes focus fast, and very accurate. The lens can also be used in manual mode when there's too little light to autofocus. And with its really wide aperture, you can even get away with shooting in aperture priority.

The WR stands for Weather Resistant, which makes it perfect for shooting shows that may get hit by bad weather or light rain.

I occasionally noticed some strong purple fringing in specific circumstances, though it's a pretty common phenomenon for lenses like this -- and stopping down the aperture clears that up. Overall, the Fuji XF 33mm is a great option for anyone who wants to take high-quality photos.

Fuji XF 23mm f1.4 R

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R from FUJIFILM is a versatile wide-angle prime lens, with a 35mm equivalent focal length. The maximum aperture of f/1.4 lets you take pictures in dim lighting and gives you more control over the depth of field for isolating your subject matter.

The design includes one aspherical element to reduce distortion and increase sharpness. Additionally, a Super EBC coating has been applied to minimize ghosting and flare. Furthermore, a rounded seven-blade diaphragm is featured, which creates smooth bokeh quality.

When photographing bands or other low-light subjects, the fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 on the XF 23mm lens will allow you to properly expose your images without pushing the sensitivity of your camera too high, ensuring that you capture the shot every time.

Fuji XF 50-140 R LM OIS WR

Although difficult, concert photography is an incredibly gratifying form of photography. Getting a great photo involves nailing exposure and focus while also conveying the overall feeling and ambiance of the music.

The Fujifilm 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR lens is one of the best telephoto lens options for concert photography, thanks to its combination of fast autofocus and versatile zoom range. I have used this lens in many different settings while photographing bands, and it always produces great results.

The image quality is superb, and the autofocus is fast enough to keep up with even the most energetic performers. If you're serious about concert photography, the Fujifilm 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens is a must-have item for band photography.

The LM stands for linear motor, which gives you fast autofocus. You can also focus by hand in manual mode. The WR is weather resistance. Good for wet outdoor live music photography. And OIS is for optical image stabilization. This gives you the ability to shoot at very low shutter speeds in dim conditions or even in aperture priority in brighter conditions and always get a proper exposure. Bear in mind, the slower your shutter speed gets the more likely you are to get blurry images. I try to not go below 1/60 of a second shutter speed with this lens, especially if I'm zooming to 140mm. Just make sure you've got your camera settings correctly dialed in (or at least close to perfect) and you should be fine.

Fuji XF 56mm f1.2 R WR

The Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 XF R is an excellent choice of lens for anyone who enjoys live music photography or band photography. The 56mm focal length is specifically designed and preferred for portrait photography. Its fast maximum aperture of f/1.2 means you can shoot with a very shallow depth of field, using natural light even in low-light conditions – perfect for capturing those elusive live music moments.

The Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 XF R's responsive stepper motor and internal focus design make it easy to take great pictures quickly, even in high-pressure situations. Additionally, its solid metal housing and sturdy mechanics can stand up to any challenge you give it.

So if you're in the market for a premium short telephoto lens for your Fujifilm XF mount digital camera and love shooting concerts, look no further than the Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 XF R.

Conclusion

Concert photography can be a lot of fun. It’s a great opportunity to capture some amazing moments and create lasting memories.

The real truth is all you need is a decent camera, a fast lens with a wide aperture, and the drive to succeed at live concerts.

I hope that you found this article helpful and that they will give concert photography a try. Do some research, find a great show, get your photo pass, get in the photo pit, and let me know if you get any great concert photographs. The experiences, photos, and friends you'll meet can be incredibly rewarding.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be happy to offer advice or answer any questions.

Thanks for reading, and happy shooting!

Why I Love Concert Photography