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Lens choice for gigs?
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Hey guys,
Just wanted to ask something. A friend’s band has asked me to take Photos for them at an upcoming gig. Im waiting to get a Canon400d next week and plan on getting a 50mm f/1.4 as well. Do you think this would do the job for the gig photos or would i need something better??
Id really like to do a good job as they would hope to use some of them for their e.p cover.Thanks,
Meg.A fast fifty would be good-
but you’re going to have to get up close-Lighting will be important-
if its a badly lit gig, its going to be more difficult-You should consider getting onstage with them-
always good to get a different view from the usual one-j
Thanks, It’s gonna be a tricky one I reckon, cause it’s going to be in the Voodoo Lounge on Arran Quay. The stage setup there is quite awkward I find, cramped and not to mention potentially very dark without decent lighting. I guess I’ll just have ti wait and see with that one. So you reckon the f/1.4 could do the job?
Getting up side stage could work. Actually, I’m quite short so it’d probably be altogether necessary. :D
Its either a fast 50mm or spend quite alot of money on something in the 17-whatever length.
Although you can probably rent a lens in Dublin for the night…If the lighting is as bad as you think it’ll be, you’ll might have to crank up the ISO a bit as well.
Just my few thoughts on it… :)
Mark wrote:
Its either a fast 50mm or spend quite alot of money on something in the 17-whatever length.
Although you can probably rent a lens in Dublin for the night…If the lighting is as bad as you think it’ll be, you’ll might have to crank up the ISO a bit as well.
Just my few thoughts on it… :)
Cheers for the advice Mark. Im not really well on cash at the mo so I dont think a more expensive lens is even an option :D
(The camera + other lens is a nice early birthday present :D)
THanks for the input
Its not only about the amount of light, its also about the quality of light-
the direction and distance and quantity and colours of the light-I don’t know that venue, but I’ve been in others which sound similar-
low ceilings with spots on brackets which are right on top of the performers-
and this is impossible to work with-
unless you just want an illustration of an inverse square law-If there isn’t anyone else to art direct this thing,
then you might have to do it yourself-
Candles can be a good light source if used in sufficient quantity, for example,
though there are health and safety issues, of course-
but they can be set up quite cheaply using lengths of timber with nails driven through them-Perhaps the singer might have a spare hand to hold a spotlight-
like bono sometimes does-
and light other members of the band during the performance-If the pictures are to end up being used for something real, an ep cover,
then its worth bringing something extra to the performance,
to try to ensure that the pictures don’t look just like a lot of others-j
Have decided to actually go trekking down to Clonmel for another gig they’re playing, better venue, better lighting, bigger stage (one I can actually get to the side of!) and get the shots done there. Purely just because there’s a better chance that things might work out. There’s outdoor areas too that could work for for group shots. Also gives me more time should I decide to rent a better lens for the occasion!
Cheers for the comments guys. You people are oh so helpful-I’ll think I’ll stay :D :D
The equipment itself would do the job, though what matters is the environment you’re shooting in, as well as how creative you’re feeling at the time ;) .
I shot a gig just this week (Ladydoll) where the lighting was awful and available positions and angles were limited. And I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired. Both your equipment and mine can shoot at a high ISO setting, with a wide open aperture and a shutter speed that will always be too slow to really freeze action on stage as musicians have a habit of not keeping still (as you do!).
Your 50mm f/1.4 is a good choice, but as mentioned you’d probably be up closer to rather than further from the stage if you want to capture detail. Though 50mm on a digital body I find quite comfortable to work with even if I seldom use my 50mm f/1.8 lens these days. For gigs generally you should be looking at lenses of minimum f/2.8 and you’ll be using them at the widest aperture most of the time. With better lighting you might give yourself options of using up to f/4 or even f/5.6 but then for the sacrifice of shutter speed. It’s always a trade off.
Pay attention to where you are focusing especially when recomposing, and how much movement there is in the scene you’re capturing; for example a singer/guitarist pauses strumming at the end of a phrase to capture a clean hand and a still posture generally makes a better picture than a blurred hand..
It also depends on what kind of energy the band themselves have, as it’s difficult to inject some interest if they’re ‘busy’ concentrating on performing their numbers and always look down at the guitar or always looking up trying to remember the words, or terrified nervous and looking gormless.
You’ll be there to record or invent happy moments for them but can’t transform them into U2!
Thank you so much. THis is great advice I’m getting, and I will bear it all in mind when it comes to the gigs.
Much appreciated!
And by the way those shots are excellent :D
plainoldme wrote:
And by the way those shots are excellent :D
Ah c’mon now, you’re easily pleased admit it :lol:
Thank you, appreciated. :D
I think as something close to a beginner, i AM easily pleased. Although, I DO know a good shot when I see it XD
You can see most of the stuff I’ve taken so far at http://www.mask-of-sanity.deviantart.com
I have to say, I’ve pleased myself a lot lately. I don’t half “good” quality cameras. So I’ve suprised myself with nice shots a few times. Sadly, I dont get a lot of critque so I’m not getting much better :( Sniff sniff..
plainoldme wrote:
Have decided to actually go trekking down to Clonmel for another gig they’re playing, better venue, better lighting, bigger stage (one I can actually get to the side of!) and get the shots done there. Purely just because there’s a better chance that things might work out. There’s outdoor areas too that could work for for group shots. Also gives me more time should I decide to rent a better lens for the occasion!
Cheers for the comments guys. You people are oh so helpful-I’ll think I’ll stay :D :D
Where and when in Clonmel? And whats the name of the band? I go to alot of gigs in Clonmel so I could be going to this too.
personally my ideal lens for smallgigs is a 10-20mm 2.8, or 8mm fisheye, both expensive but will give most stage in the photo, and thats something the 50mm is let down by.
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