Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) 2012 Bangalore
Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) 2012 Bangalore

The Photography Essentials of Clicking for Live Music Concerts!

38Technology Journalist, Abhimanyu Ghoshal, takes us through the photography essentials of clicking for Live music concerts, also its nitty-gritty and rather subtle aspects.
Vinay Venkatesh - Bhayanak Maut
Vinay Venkatesh - Bhayanak Maut
Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) 2012 Bangalore
Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) 2012 Bangalore

Cater to the Niceties and Niche of the Craft.

Clicking for Live music gigs is a whole lot different from clicking otherwise. You're tasked with capturing the energy, vibe and mood of a concert, with very little control over critical elements such as lighting, shooting positions and the ability to direct your subjects. That is a whole different ball game from shooting with models in a production setting that conforms to your brief, and with a team to support you as well. It is this thrill of capturing imagery of Live music performances or concerts that is rather exciting, and that is also what makes the very process of doing it enjoyable, satisfying and valuable in itself.

Fink Live at NH7 Weekender Bangalore 2012
Fink Live at NH7 Weekender Bangalore 2012
‘Ihsahn’, Open Air 2013 Bangalore
‘Ihsahn’, Open Air 2013 Bangalore

Make Your Way Through The Hurdles.

There are several constraints that present interesting challenges – you only get to shoot during the first two or three songs (after which you have to leave the photo pit in front of the stage); there are strong lights that bathe the performers in colour and blow out details in your shots, and you can't access every portion of the stage that you might want to. It's fun to work around these and try to create compelling images. Good lighting, a well-appointed stage and an enthusiastic audience go a long way in making your pictures stand out.

Korn’s Munky at Clarks Exotica in Bangalore, September 2012
Korn’s Munky at Clarks Exotica in Bangalore, September 2012
Mark Morton (Lamb of God) Bangalore 2012
Mark Morton (Lamb of God) Bangalore 2012

Soak in the Vibe; Then let it Reflect.

Depending on the music and the artist's background, one must compose pictures to suit their vibe and what they're known for. For example, with metal bands, one may try to capture a dark atmosphere by isolating the subject, including the smoke emanating from smoke machines and treat the raw image accordingly. With pop acts, on the other hand, one can try to highlight the performers' signature costumes. Researching artists' music and previous photographic coverage before shooting their concerts certainly helps to quite an extent, in this regard.

John Campbell (Lamb of God) Bangalore 2012
John Campbell (Lamb of God) Bangalore 2012
Periphery NH7 Weekender Bangalore 2012
Periphery NH7 Weekender Bangalore 2012

Step out of Familiar Terrain, and Walk into New Horizons.

It can certainly be more exciting to click artists who you are familiar with, than those you don't know quite well. As a music lover, though, the opportunity to discover new acts is a bonus. Shooting unfamiliar performers gets you out of your comfort zone, thus expanding your horizons as a photographer. Do not fall for poor composition and over-the-top editing; both issues can easily be fixed by referring to the works of more accomplished photographers and practicing consciously.

Shaa’ir and Func at NH7 Weekender Bangalore 2012
Shaa’ir and Func at NH7 Weekender Bangalore 2012
logo
Creative Gaga
www.creativegaga.com