Hey, I'm going to be honest because it will make you better....
I first started out with a XT and the kit lens doing concerts. My photos pretty much sucked, but once I learned how to adapt to my equipment, my photos really improved. So I recommend to you...
Use an off camera lighting setup and get creative with it.
Find different angles.
Manual focus if the need be.
Try a lower ISO with a higher shutter speed even though your photos will be more under exposed, they will have more mood.
I like what you tried to capture, but you definitely have too much light in these for a concert shot. You want to show emotion and expressions. These are all fully lit (or appear to be) which I doubt the concert was. Shoot at 400 or 800 ISO at a higher shutter speed and see how it works out.
Thanks for the comments. This was my first time shooting concerts, so I'm definitely learning.
These were all shot at ISO 1600, f/2.2-2.5, and either 1/80 or 1/140 SS depending on the lens used. They were also pushed 1-2.5 stops in Lightroom, which is why they appear so bright. There were absolutely NO lights on stage, so it was as close to pitch black as you could get.
Ryan, I think you did a nice job, especially considering the lighting conditions. This was definitely no high tech concert lighting set up. I've been in many environments like this where there is absolutely no mood from the house lights, so I commend you for your efforts!
Indoors, the 85 and 50 on a 1.6x body can get a little tight. Some wide angle shots mixed in would have been good.
Thanks for that Tim; I'll definitely remember to mix it up next time for some variety. I could've used my Tamron 17-50 to capture some shots of the whole group.
Ryan.....these are the threads I am always looking for
1st off...hats off for attempting to shoot concert photography. This is for sure the hardest form to shoot, especially trying to make $$ at it.
Shooting concerts pretty much full-time..I would say that everyone has there OWN opinion on what looks good & how to shoot.
For me, the LAST thing I ever think about grabbing when I am off to photograph a band or musician is a flash. The only way I have ever seen it work well is with an external flash where you can position it on the fly....but again, this is my opinion & I learned everything by using what LITTLE light us concert photographers get!
You have great lenses for low-lighting though your zoom is not there. From that you need to fix in the crop. You have some good emotion shots, but I get distracted by the other things in the background. Simple fix in PS.
My Equipment:
Nikon D50 (LOVE IT!!)
Nikon D200
Nikkor 28-80 f/3.5
NIkkor 50 mm f/1.8
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8
Shoot Raw, and if anything do your best to keep the ISO down as much as possible...if you are in Raw you have the best chance to fix the lighting issues, but with a high ISO you will always have the grains. I ALWAYS get a hard time from othere photographers when I tell them that I typically shoot ISO 800 max on concerts, but my shots typically have LITTLE noise
Finally....PRACTICE!!! If it wasn't for Pro concert photographer Scott Legato recommending me for the Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amp House Photographer gig...I would have never been able to practice my work. It is very important to take all you get in advise as I ALWAYS get critique on all of my work Its a free education, and I have only been in photography for 2 years!!!
Good luck Ryan, and when you get time check out my concert work, and hopefully you can get some ideas to try at your next shoot
