The past few days ended up being a total “crash course” in concert photography. I’ve made every error a amateur could make (like failing to realize the lens was on manual focus, and getting nothing but out-of-focus pics!). Despite the learning curve and frustrations, its been a total blast.
I was lucky enough to get a photo pass for this show…. my first! I was sooooo nervous that i wouldn’t walk away with any pictures (cuz they would be all over exposed, or blurred, etc.). I got 3 songs to shoot, and I had to keep low and crawl around to not annoy anybody.
I had been reading in forums how photographers would get in trouble for “watching’ the show rather than shooting….or even DANCING instead of doing their job. I didn’t want to be that person! I really, really wanted to go a good job, and I’ll be damned if I was gonna walk away with only 40 pictures. I was so pumped up, and so over eager, that I ended up with 140! LOL! “Ready…..Set…..GO!!!” Yea most of them were blurred crap… but by the end I was more relaxed and looking for my shot more. (And as luck would have it, the 2nd song they played was one of my FAVORITE dance songs they play! argh!!!)
The photo I posted is my favorite of the night. I love how Josh’s eyes are looking down the strings and is in his quiet space, while the band is rocking out behind him.
I definitely still have A LOT to learn about exposure, dealing with spotlights, getting more of the room ambience and lighting… but I think I did alright. The whole thing was a complete dream come true. For so many years I have been photographing this band with my crap cameras, wishing I had faster equipment to capture what my mind sees. I’m almost there…. I’m sure I’ll have a chance again.
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