5 classic mistakes to avoid when photographing live music

With number 3 it's very rare to actually be allowed flash anyway. There's usually a 3 songs no flash rule. The smaller gigs may let you, they tend to have the worst lighting (they love their red lights) anyway but it's then down to your own personal preference.
I totally agree with 5, one of my favourite photos was from the back at the end of a Blur gig.

Here are a few thoughts on the suggestions.

Number 2 - You get 3 songs unless otherwise states so you really have to make every shot count. Best thing to do is to get your settings sorted during the first song and then go for your shots during the 2nd and 3rd account.

Number 3 - If your shooting gigs professionally you cant use flash. At local gigs then its fine like previousy stated.

Number 4 - If you dont have a camera that handles high ISO with no grain and you dont have a fast lens then forget it. Your not gonna be able to shoot to the same professional standard as what the pros do (when shooting at proper concerts). You'll get no detail in your shots and you will more then likely end up converting most, if not all, into black and white.

Sorry to sound so negative, I learnt the above the hard and expensive way.

I recommend that anyone considering music photography needs to invest in a fast prime lens, you can get cheap ones for Canon and Nikon which are great and are used by top level pros.

re # 5 Some venues won't allow you to use your pro camera inside the venue after the first 3 songs even with a photopass

Alice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonshaydephotography/2852866599/

fast prime lens

What fast prime lens would you recommend on a canon 450D

and no.5 Liverpool echo arena and manchester news arena will not allow you to take SLR in there what a shame

And dont be affraid of the weather.

My best stage shot were taken under the rain on an open stage concert at evening. But don't forget to give a proper protection for your gear tho.. :)

I would recommend the Canon 50mm f1.8 for its quality and affordability.

as idene says the canon nifty fifty is a great little prime lens. it works extremely well from the wrong side of the pit wall and for a long time it was a perm fixture on my 450. these days though im the right side of the pit wall and tend to use a sigma f/2.8 28-70 for most gigs.. however the nifty fifty is always in my bag just in case..

if you shop around you can pick a nifty fifty up for 70 quid.. potentially one of the best inverstments you'll ever make.

rob
http://www.robstanley-photography.co.uk

#1. you wont get a press / photo pass if youre not shooting [1] for the media or [2] one of the bands on the bill .. best option get to know / work with the local bands. these tend to be support acts for main bands and they can often get you in and limited photo pass.

#3. dont use the flash - period. in an open area such as an arena they only have an effective working range of between 10-15ft and so are pointless. using one in the pit is a no no the best way of being escorted off site. if you do need to use one in the pit then IMO you shouldnt be there in the first place.

#4. im trying not to laugh... sorry.. :o)

#5. yes you can get great shots from the crowd with a zoom just as long as its in the same league as the canon Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM.. the good news is that you can pick them up for just under 1k these days..

rob
http://www.robstanley-photography.co.uk

robstanley is absolutely right about #3, and really on all points.

But, let me reiterate: DO NOT USE FLASH. Three things will happen. 1) you'll annoy the performer, (2) you'll annoy other concertgoers and (3) you'll get thrown out of the venue.

Rob #1 not always true! some togs manage to get passes through the venue. It does help if you have an outlet for the photo and not just posting the pics on your flickr or myspace pages. I've been given passes as a freelancer. If you do go through a support band to get a pass check that the pass covers the other bands as sometimes you'll need a separate pass for the headline band

#3. never say never - I use flash as and when I can. If you CAN use flash then its another tool to use if you need to. Used properly and creatively flash can add to a photo. most bands I've talked to about using flash(I've shot several hundred of them) say they don't notice the flash compared to the stage lighting.

#4 is a bit of a giggle really.....

#2 you may only have first 3 songs to shoot in (or 1 song which happens too) but please don't continuously shoot - you may as well be taking video. Composition saves you hours post processing time!

Moon #1 agreed some venues issue passes but they are few and far between and tend to be festivals i.e. hellfire II, where we both played.. :o) however, unles the tog or publiication has a prior agrreement with the venue, most large venues, NIA, LG arena, 02 etc.. insist that the tog/freelance or otherwise goes directly through the promoter, band or bands management.

#3 the flash is a tool and i always carry one for extreme cases, but other than the hellfire II scuzz, big cheese etc..stage fiascos, ive yet to come across a venue with a dedicated photo pit that requires the use of one.

:o)

Rob #1 I know a couple of togs who work for larger arenas including O2 and a lot of the smaller venues have a resident tog
#2 you've obviously not been in some of the larger venues I've had to shoot in!! sometimes I think the lighting engineer (or soundman pushing buttons and leaning on the smoke/haze machine) think its funny to either have the band play in the dark - or completely floodlight the stage with red for the first 3 songs then have amazing lights once all the togs have left the pit. Alice Cooper allowed flash and had an awesome lighting set up