Rolling Stone Here I Come
July 14, 2010 1:55 PM Subscribe
How do I become one of the guys up front at concerts (big and small) taking photos?
I love photography and music and am unemployed.. why not try something new? Not expecting to get paid but would be nice. My flickr account is in my profile for reference although I haven't updated in a while.
I love photography and music and am unemployed.. why not try something new? Not expecting to get paid but would be nice. My flickr account is in my profile for reference although I haven't updated in a while.
Volunteer or work for a local music publication. Campus radio stations often have affiliated magazines - that could be a good place to start.
posted by ripley_ at 2:08 PM on July 14, 2010
posted by ripley_ at 2:08 PM on July 14, 2010
Depends on the type of "at the front" you mean. If you mean a special fenced area at the front of arena rock/festival shows or actually being on stage, then you're going to need some sort of press credentials or permission. If you can't get a credible music journalism website to adopt you, or talk the venue into thinking you're worthy of photo rights, then I'd recommend trying to get stringer work for a local alt-weekly or free paper.
But yeah, if you want to just get up at the front at normal shows and cameras are allowed, just shove your way in.
posted by mikeh at 2:15 PM on July 14, 2010
But yeah, if you want to just get up at the front at normal shows and cameras are allowed, just shove your way in.
posted by mikeh at 2:15 PM on July 14, 2010
String for a newspaper! And keep a smashing portfolio of your concert shots — in many types of lighting.
posted by dorothyrose at 2:17 PM on July 14, 2010
posted by dorothyrose at 2:17 PM on July 14, 2010
bdc34 is right. I'm imagining a couple of these people that I know/know of and I think they're just relentless about going to shows and taking photos. If your photos are good and you tag bands so they can find them, you'll become popular, as everyone likes to have good photos of themselves. Once you start to get to know people you can make connections with promoters, venues, artists, and local print publications which might lead to some regular work, maybe even paid. But step one: go to a lot of shows and take a lot of pictures, and do it as often as you can.
posted by PercussivePaul at 2:18 PM on July 14, 2010
posted by PercussivePaul at 2:18 PM on July 14, 2010
At most concerts folks will let you through if you are persistent.
You'll annoy fewer people if you show up early rather than expecting people to let you through, though.
posted by grouse at 2:20 PM on July 14, 2010
You'll annoy fewer people if you show up early rather than expecting people to let you through, though.
posted by grouse at 2:20 PM on July 14, 2010
I like shooting concerts, but my day job is not always compatible with seeing shows. I shot Yelle for a local music blog a little while back, and it was a lot of fun.
If you're not shooting on a press pass, just go to the concert early and get to the front. That's it. How far you go from there is up to you. If you're not shooting with a dSLR (and you may not be able to shoot with one at your favorite venues without a press pass), make sure you get a compact camera 1) that has good high ISO performance; 2) has minimal lag when you press the shutter release; 3) that you can afford a big memory card for, since you'll want to be opening your camera as little as possible if you're just in the pit.
Here's a collection of my most recent concert shots, plus the Yelle gig I mentioned. You might also want to contact blaneyphoto on the site; he shoots a lot of concerts as a pro.
posted by dam1975 at 2:27 PM on July 14, 2010
If you're not shooting on a press pass, just go to the concert early and get to the front. That's it. How far you go from there is up to you. If you're not shooting with a dSLR (and you may not be able to shoot with one at your favorite venues without a press pass), make sure you get a compact camera 1) that has good high ISO performance; 2) has minimal lag when you press the shutter release; 3) that you can afford a big memory card for, since you'll want to be opening your camera as little as possible if you're just in the pit.
Here's a collection of my most recent concert shots, plus the Yelle gig I mentioned. You might also want to contact blaneyphoto on the site; he shoots a lot of concerts as a pro.
posted by dam1975 at 2:27 PM on July 14, 2010
Googling "photo pass concert" gives a lot of expert advice (if you want to be between the barrier and the stage, not just at the front barrier) Here's some.
posted by muddgirl at 2:28 PM on July 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by muddgirl at 2:28 PM on July 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'd note that I read the article in muddgirl's link when I was getting ready to shoot the Yelle concert, and it was really useful; you might not think to ask some of the questions he suggests (i.e., is there a song that is so quiet or emotionally charged that the artist would be disturbed if you're shooting away). Plus, keep in mind that many people find photography distracting even if it's inaudible and there's no flash. When I took pictures at the Echo & The Bunnymen gig posted on Flickr, Ian McCullough eventually got fed up with having his picture taken and told everyone to put their cameras away.
But, for the most part, as long as you're not an ass, you can get away with a good deal.
posted by dam1975 at 3:14 PM on July 14, 2010
But, for the most part, as long as you're not an ass, you can get away with a good deal.
posted by dam1975 at 3:14 PM on July 14, 2010
Depends on where you are. In S.F., some venues require photo passes -- you can get a spot up front, but only take pics during the first three songs/15 minutes.
Definitely approach your local newspapers/weeklies -- you can often get free tickets to the show for your photos, even if you don't get paid per se.
posted by vickyverky at 4:06 PM on July 14, 2010
Definitely approach your local newspapers/weeklies -- you can often get free tickets to the show for your photos, even if you don't get paid per se.
posted by vickyverky at 4:06 PM on July 14, 2010
Where do you live? In my town, our alt weekly is owned by Village Voice Media. I am a freelance music writer. Almost all of the concerts (big and small) are shot by freelancers. For big shows you need a photo pass. For small shows you usually just get "on the list".
Email your local music editor. Tell them you want to shoot. It helps if you already have work you can show them. Online work is best — in the day and age of journalism cutbacks, most editors don't have the time to fuck with meeting you in person and exchanging details. Send them a link to your work/photo blog and say you want to shoot for them.
One other thing, if you land a gig, is to be DEPENDABLE. If you are freelancing, especially, you are replaceable. It also helps to have a digital camera. At my paper the reviews and photos for a show are due by 9 a.m. the following morning. You have to be able to edit your shots quickly, and you have to be regular and responsive to requests. One photog I know always gets to the show early — a lot of big-time artists only let you shoot the first 203 songs.
If also helps if you pitch shows or claim the ones you want.
posted by Brittanie at 5:15 PM on July 14, 2010
Email your local music editor. Tell them you want to shoot. It helps if you already have work you can show them. Online work is best — in the day and age of journalism cutbacks, most editors don't have the time to fuck with meeting you in person and exchanging details. Send them a link to your work/photo blog and say you want to shoot for them.
One other thing, if you land a gig, is to be DEPENDABLE. If you are freelancing, especially, you are replaceable. It also helps to have a digital camera. At my paper the reviews and photos for a show are due by 9 a.m. the following morning. You have to be able to edit your shots quickly, and you have to be regular and responsive to requests. One photog I know always gets to the show early — a lot of big-time artists only let you shoot the first 203 songs.
If also helps if you pitch shows or claim the ones you want.
posted by Brittanie at 5:15 PM on July 14, 2010
Don't push through, get there early. There's nothing more annoying than waiting online 5 or 6 hours for that spot up front and then some dude with a camera comes waltzing through the crowd expecting us to let them through because SHE HAS A CAMERA AND IZ A PHOTOGRAPHER!
On the other hand, the photographer who showed up early with the rest of us was given the same respect.
posted by micawber at 5:24 PM on July 14, 2010
On the other hand, the photographer who showed up early with the rest of us was given the same respect.
posted by micawber at 5:24 PM on July 14, 2010
I do this for a music blog that I run (link in profile). I have bloggers in several cities (myself here in Tampa, Denver, L.A., NYC, and London, primarily). For most venues, If you have what they consider a pro camera (anything where the lenses detach), you'll need a photo pass. If you plan on shooting professionally, you'll want to have a DSLR with a nice, fast lens, but you don't have to have anything super expensive - I shot these with a Canon 400d and a 50mm f/1.4 lens. A photo pass will also get you into the press pit, which is where the best shots are obtained anyway. There is nothing worse than shooting a show whilst being moshed to death. If there is no barrier, don't be the dude pushing your way to the front - you're only going to annoy the people and other photographers who have been waiting there. The smaller the venue, the less likely you'll have a press pit. Be courteous.
We obtain photo passes from the bands' PR folks and managers, and sometimes via the artists themselves. After awhile you'll become familiar to them and depending on the quality of your work, they'll start contacting you and asking you to shoot/review their shows - this happens to us a lot. You can typically find their contact information on the artists' MySpace page or official website.
Who will you be shooting for? Unless you're publishing your photos and reviews in a place that is likely to get the artist more attention or open them up to new audiences, you're not likely to get a photo pass. Try volunteering at your local alt paper, or getting on with an established music/arts blog.
Once you've obtained your photo pass (this frequently comes along with a ticket and a plus one, which is awesome for sold out shows) and you're in the pit, you'll shoot the first three songs, no flash - this is why a fast lens and a decent camera are important. After the show, get your photos and review up as soon as possible within the next day or so. If you want to keep doing this, that's the way to build relationships with PR folks, managers and artists, and they control your access to the pit.
Don't expect to be paid, at least until you've gained a ton of experience and are working for a glossy or a top level music blog. I do this for the love of music and photography, press tickets to shows and festivals, the ability to take my camera in where it wouldn't normally be allowed, and meeting/interviewing bands that I love.
posted by mewithoutyou at 10:51 PM on July 14, 2010
We obtain photo passes from the bands' PR folks and managers, and sometimes via the artists themselves. After awhile you'll become familiar to them and depending on the quality of your work, they'll start contacting you and asking you to shoot/review their shows - this happens to us a lot. You can typically find their contact information on the artists' MySpace page or official website.
Who will you be shooting for? Unless you're publishing your photos and reviews in a place that is likely to get the artist more attention or open them up to new audiences, you're not likely to get a photo pass. Try volunteering at your local alt paper, or getting on with an established music/arts blog.
Once you've obtained your photo pass (this frequently comes along with a ticket and a plus one, which is awesome for sold out shows) and you're in the pit, you'll shoot the first three songs, no flash - this is why a fast lens and a decent camera are important. After the show, get your photos and review up as soon as possible within the next day or so. If you want to keep doing this, that's the way to build relationships with PR folks, managers and artists, and they control your access to the pit.
Don't expect to be paid, at least until you've gained a ton of experience and are working for a glossy or a top level music blog. I do this for the love of music and photography, press tickets to shows and festivals, the ability to take my camera in where it wouldn't normally be allowed, and meeting/interviewing bands that I love.
posted by mewithoutyou at 10:51 PM on July 14, 2010
For a good source of inspiration, check out the Live on 35mm blog. It's a photographer in London whose obsession is shooting concerts. Each entry has a 'photo tip' that covers some aspect of live music photography - both technical tips, and personal things like the effort required to get a photo pass to a large venue.
posted by Gortuk at 5:09 AM on July 16, 2010
posted by Gortuk at 5:09 AM on July 16, 2010
1. Purchase a Canon or Nikon digital SLR with a "nifty fifty" lens and a decent bag. Be prepared to shell out more over the next coming months for fast glass at a variety of focal lengths and a telephoto zoom lens for large festivals. (Nobody said this would be cheap. Be careful of spilled beer.)
2. Go to local clubs that do not have photo pits and do not kick out people for having cameras and do not check bags. Start small.
3. Learn about the fundamentals of photography: exposure, ISO/ASA, aperture, shutter speed, focal lengths, etc. Know these like the back of your hand. Learn to love 1600 ISO and 3200 ISO. For example, on my Canon 5D Mark II, I often shoot at 4000 ISO, 1/200 shutter speed, f/1.4 to get the sharpness I want. Learn to edit and show only your best work. Learn about noise reduction software, especially.
4. Practice, practice, practice (but respect the audience by showing up early and not pushing fans out of the way). Accumulate a portfolio that demonstrates a range of your work with a range of artists in a range of lighting conditions at a range of venues.
The best photos have a combination of different elements: technical proficiency, an interesting moment, dynamic lighting, and/or great composition. And a little bit of luck.
5. Learn that photo editors at your local paper always want recognizable front people whose faces are in focus. But photo editors at the glossy magazines (SPIN, Rolling Stone, etc) will want something different: different vantage point, different composition, AKA not the same old boring guy at a mic with a guitar at a 30 degree angle.
Listen to what Brittanie said about what editors want. Don't miss your deadlines. You are expendable. Behind you there are five hungry photographers who wanted that gig, too. Hustle, hustle, and hustle.
6. Read the FAQs about Concert Photography (Questions Answered, Get Help, Learn More, Read Tutorials).
7. Align yourself with a local publication. The easiest way to do this is via a local music weblog like Brooklynvegan (NB: they don't pay). Publicists care the most about exposure for their clients; therefore, you need to be associated with a publication. You get them coverage, they give you a list spot (free admission) and credentials (a photo pass).
8. Lower your expectations about getting paid (at all) especially from online publications. Lower your expectations about getting paid on time or how much you'll get paid. Be prepared to be undercut when budgets get tight. If you put your stuff online, increase your expectations about getting your work misused/stolen constantly online. A blog using your photo without permission with a link back is not "flattering." It's copyright infringement (and may break exclusivity agreements you have with a publication).
9. Be prepared to be denied access to concerts (or be granted access at the very last second). There is a pecking order even within local publications for competitive markets. If there's X number of list spots, your publication may not always make the cut.
This is a very competitive market with many newbies jumping in even day. Improve constantly or perish.
posted by kathryn at 2:26 PM on July 28, 2010
2. Go to local clubs that do not have photo pits and do not kick out people for having cameras and do not check bags. Start small.
3. Learn about the fundamentals of photography: exposure, ISO/ASA, aperture, shutter speed, focal lengths, etc. Know these like the back of your hand. Learn to love 1600 ISO and 3200 ISO. For example, on my Canon 5D Mark II, I often shoot at 4000 ISO, 1/200 shutter speed, f/1.4 to get the sharpness I want. Learn to edit and show only your best work. Learn about noise reduction software, especially.
4. Practice, practice, practice (but respect the audience by showing up early and not pushing fans out of the way). Accumulate a portfolio that demonstrates a range of your work with a range of artists in a range of lighting conditions at a range of venues.
The best photos have a combination of different elements: technical proficiency, an interesting moment, dynamic lighting, and/or great composition. And a little bit of luck.
5. Learn that photo editors at your local paper always want recognizable front people whose faces are in focus. But photo editors at the glossy magazines (SPIN, Rolling Stone, etc) will want something different: different vantage point, different composition, AKA not the same old boring guy at a mic with a guitar at a 30 degree angle.
Listen to what Brittanie said about what editors want. Don't miss your deadlines. You are expendable. Behind you there are five hungry photographers who wanted that gig, too. Hustle, hustle, and hustle.
6. Read the FAQs about Concert Photography (Questions Answered, Get Help, Learn More, Read Tutorials).
7. Align yourself with a local publication. The easiest way to do this is via a local music weblog like Brooklynvegan (NB: they don't pay). Publicists care the most about exposure for their clients; therefore, you need to be associated with a publication. You get them coverage, they give you a list spot (free admission) and credentials (a photo pass).
8. Lower your expectations about getting paid (at all) especially from online publications. Lower your expectations about getting paid on time or how much you'll get paid. Be prepared to be undercut when budgets get tight. If you put your stuff online, increase your expectations about getting your work misused/stolen constantly online. A blog using your photo without permission with a link back is not "flattering." It's copyright infringement (and may break exclusivity agreements you have with a publication).
9. Be prepared to be denied access to concerts (or be granted access at the very last second). There is a pecking order even within local publications for competitive markets. If there's X number of list spots, your publication may not always make the cut.
This is a very competitive market with many newbies jumping in even day. Improve constantly or perish.
posted by kathryn at 2:26 PM on July 28, 2010
« Older What do I need to know about fine (and faux)... | Can anyone recommend some good quality, simple... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bdc34 at 2:05 PM on July 14, 2010 [1 favorite]