PROJECT-2
For those about to rock, Dan Mold shows you the best tips, tricks and EOS camera settings for capturing live acts at music festivals and gigs
PRO TIP
The ‘photo pit’ is the area in front of the stage where accredited photographers are able to typically shoot the first three songs. When operating in this area, dress in plain clothing and be mindful of others. Aim to work without blocking the crowd’s view and never get in the performers’ way. We also recommend wearing ear plugs for protection.
Music festival season is upon us and this presents the perfect opportunity to experience your first taste of live music photography.
Short of donning denim and leather and screaming into a microphone, nothing gets you closer to rockin’ out on stage than gig photography.
You might consider it an inaccessible genre that requires professional access, if you hope to photograph headline acts such as Rod Stewart, Metallica or Taylor Swift. But you may well find that smaller venues and fledgling music acts will welcome you and your Canon with open arms, while you can also spend your time honing your craft.
Some festivals may allow you to bring your camera along and shoot from the crowd. And since daytime shows provide less-challenging lighting than dingy, indoor venues, the learning curve will be lessened. More light will also allow you to shoot at narrower apertures, ideal if you don’t have expensive, fast glass.
If you do want to go all out and pick up some fast f/2.8 zooms, you can buy some Canon L-series EF lenses (for the DSLR mount) for very attractive prices on the second-hand market, and use them with your EOS R cameras, such as the EOS R6 or R5, via the Canon EF-EOS R mount adapter. And since music gear needs to suffer the odd knock, as well as lashings of sweat and beer, you might as well let used gear take the beating while you shoot!
In this photo project we’ll run through our favourite tips to guarantee success when you’re shooting in tricky lighting conditions at festivals and gigs this summer. Let’s get to it...
STEP BY STEP MUSIC MAYHEM
Follow our expert tips to take brilliant band photos
Since you could be shooting on a dull day or inside a dark tent, a fast prime is a good option, although an f/2.8 zoom allows you to photograph most small festivals and venues
