The following post is by New York-based photographer and artist Angela Datre, who provides a thorough introduction into concert photography and delves into what it takes to capture the essence of a concert. Learn more about her at the end of this post.
“It’s very hard with a still photograph to capture the action of a concert. You try to see something in the face, the body, the lighting…Once I see a good shot in the viewfinder, it’s gone. The music gets inside of me, it’s in my brain, I’m close enough to the stage so that the vibration from the speakers is making my skin tingle, and I’m filling the viewfinder with the musician. I just always feel high.”
-Baron Wolman, Concert Photographer
When it comes down to it, I take photographs at the shows I attend because I can’t not take photographs when I am there. I feel awkward if I am not all the way up front-able to see everything, shoot everything. It started with snapshots in the crowd when I was younger and has now become a lifestyle, an obsession.
I thought I would write a blog post on live music photography because it is something that is so near and dear to me. And I’ll admit it; I started off the same way many young photographers start out-bringing a point and shoot digital camera to shows and shooting with a slow-shutter speed or tilting the camera so the image is askew. It took me some time to realize that there is so so much more you can do with live music photography and I feel the need to share what I have learned with others. Read more »
Recently, I’ve been shooting all my shots without autofocusing and only relying on the manual focus wheel on my Olympus E-510. What I’ve discovered is that it’s making me think more about my shots, framing, and forcing me to concentrate more on achieving the perfect photo that I have set in my mind already.
In contrast, the world of commercial and event shooting has called for the “spray and pray” method of shooting. On top of this, your camera’s autofocusing may not always be up to par with your expectations and standards; especially in low light as is the case with the above photo. It was achieved with manual focus. Read more »
Like many of you, I’m for getting the cleanest image possible while shooting. Raising that ISO up to levels where you see lots of banding and image noise isn’t really worth it for selling your shots considering how much post-process noise reduction you have to do. Therefore, anything less is totally unacceptable, right? Well, not all the time. If you look at old film photos you’ll see that this isn’t always true. Additionally, there’s lot more you can do besides making the image smaller to hide the flaws. Here’s how to use Image Noise to your advantage: Read more »
The 4th of July is coming: that means BBQ’s, fireworks, and lots of picture taking. You’re not the average person that just likes taking snapshots of everything and gets mediocre photos to share with their friends. You’re the type that will take lots of pictures, pick the best of the bunch and publish them. You may even sell them. Here’s how to ensure that your images of the fireworks this 4th of July stand out from other people’s. Read more »
You’re in a big, dreamy city at night. Mesmerized by the bright lights contrasting with the beautiful, deep blackness of the night sky, you want to take pictures and capture the stunning gorgeousness before you. However, if you don’t have a Full-Frame DSLR like a Canon 5D MK II or Nikon D700, then chances are that you will have a harder time capturing cleaner images as the smaller sensors don’t have the pixel density or algorithms programmed in to them to deliver the shots that you want. Here’s a couple of things to remember when you go out shooting at night and to get the image almost perfect the first time around with little post-process development.
The following article has been written after many trials with a Canon XSi and Olympus E-510. The former has an APS-C sized sensor while the latter is a 4/3rds camera. Each has their own limitations and differences that can be overcome while traveling with a small kit. I never shoot on Auto: it’s either Manual, Aperture, or Program for me. Read more »
Above is a possible leaked picture of the Nikon D300s, which we pretty much know is a sure thing. Whether the image is real or not, however, is still up in the air. Read more »
It seems that past rumors of the Nikon D4000 may be a bit off (by about 1000). That is, if Lenstip’s tips are to believed. They are showing off some images that purport to be a Nikon D3000, which would presumably fall in Nikon’s lineup under the Nikon D5000. Read more »
The Canon Rebel T1i (also known as the 500D and Kiss X3 outside of the US) is the follow-up to the Rebel XSi, which was (and still is) a very appealing entry-level DSLR. With the Rebel T1i, however, Canon steps into a new feature set for entry-level DSLRs. This camera is leaps and bounds above what we saw in the original Rebel. The T1i also pushes the entry-level boundary beyond what we previously expected Canon to offer in a camera at this price point.
While you may not consider the Rebel T1i cheap (a retail price of $800 for the camera body and make it $900 if you want an 18-55mm lens in your kit), it offers considerable value as compared to other cameras at or above its price range. Over the past couple of years, Nikon and Sony have pushed Canon out of its comfort zone at the top of the digital camera world. Competition has forced Canon to really push its camera development (particularly in DSLRs) to new levels. The Rebel T1i is demonstrable evidence of this renewed competitive environment among what can fairly be characterized as the “big three” camera manufacturers.
Over the past couple months, I have shot with the Rebel T1i on a regular basis in my ordinary photographic endeavors. Everything from backyard snap shots, fast moving cars and motorcycles, and the occasional indoor play or event. I have tried to make use of this camera in the way that I expect most purchasers of entry-level cameras would use it. Additionally, I have taken a bit of time out of my normal shooting to pit it against its most direct competitor, the Nikon D5000. Anyone shopping for the Rebel T1i is likely considering the similarly equipped Nikon D5000. It was useful shooting with these cameras side-by-side, and below I will direct you to some more specific image and video comparisons for these two cameras. Read more »
We fully expect to see the Sony A500 and A550soon; however, Photo Rumors received a tip that Sony is bringing two new DSLRs this Summer that will have full frame sensors. Whether or not these two models are represented by the A500 and A550 leaks, we don’t know yet. The tipster also points out that the new full frame cameras from Sony will cover both the high-end and low-end price spectrums. He goes on to note that one model will be situated above the current A900 as a pro-level model. The other . . . under $1,000. Read more »
