Concert photography (Low light and high speeds) post some of your work [Archive]

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KyleAHPhotog

04-26-2010, 18:42

I love concert photography, every show is a challenge. Though from the last show I found out that everyone has their own way of approaching extreme low light conditions that require wicked fast speeds with unpredictable lighting.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4411490738_9bb0bf58ec.jpg
Al Barr of Dropkick Murphys

I tend to keep it in Aperture Priority (have that sucker wide open), high ISO, and just fire not even look in the viewfinder.

The last show I shot (Porcupine Tree) had good lighting, it was just to dim, so i couldnt really attack it like I could normally, and it did not help that the venue was a theater and every one was sitting. I was crawling on the floor cause we were told not to disturb the audience, the stage could have been lit candles and it would have been brighter.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/4555227177_d9f01444b2.jpg
Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree

Best Lighting was GWAR! It was like being on the set of a Van Helen video when ever they did the shots where they where on stage and they had lights EVERYWHERE!!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3985393579_dd7f8e503d.jpg
Balsac of GWAR

Worst photofriendly lighting EVER! Skinny Puppy, none of my pictures of that show came out. Though it was the best show I have ever seen. I was an AV orgasm of color and bass.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4460813251_d5620e9e9d.jpg
Nivek Ohgr of Skinny Puppy

So how do you tackle very minimal light when staying still is not an option.

Post pictures of anything that was done in really low light without tripod.

All images in this single post are ©Kyle Henderson all rights reserved

zgeeRF

04-26-2010, 18:59

I usually shoot B+W at 800-1600. The problem is to tame the contrast.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2702/4086918346_28c61b5e5a_o.jpg
HP5+ in 120
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zgee/4086918346/

cnphoto

04-26-2010, 19:10

Some recent stuff. I mostly shoot around ISO1600 on Neopan or TMax/Tri-X.

Obituary
http://i43.tinypic.com/102nmmt.jpg

ignore the Flickr 'oversharpening' on these:

Revival Tour
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/4556174501_90f47975af.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/4556802756_2e7dec99ca.jpg

Reality
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4533928637_bf1ae3c3cb.jpg

Federico Alberto

04-26-2010, 19:35

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3783754214_7ab6afe768.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21122418@N07/3783754214/)
Gloria Gaynor sings a Barry White duo with her singing partner. (Taken at Santo Domingo's Hard Rock Cafe, 1 August 2009).

Olympus Digital PEN E-P1
Leica D Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH
Olympus MMF-1 FourThirds/Micro FourThirds adaptor
Aperture Priority Mode
f/1.4
ISO 1600
25mm
1/125
Metering: Matrix
White Balance: Auto
Hand grip
No Photoshop
No HDR
No flash

wlewisiii

04-26-2010, 19:47

From Saturday night - f2@1/75th on BW400CN

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H7131G65COY/S9SvYF7aLWI/AAAAAAAADDQ/PDduGzovqbk/s720/R1-17A.jpg

A while back - 35/1.8 - 1.8@1/30th on Fuji Superia 1600.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=47588&d=1184783707

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=47589&d=1184783717

William

jmarcus

04-26-2010, 19:52

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/450111346_15bbd4db78_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/2687000799_1c7467f251_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3944562916_a855fbb8d8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3443732826_24abbf4f15_b.jpg

furcafe

04-26-2010, 20:21

While small clubs are usually the best place to check out music if you don't have to shoot, they tend to have the worst lighting (next to dive bars & certain nightclubs/restaurants). They also have the tendency to use awful red gels on the crap lighting that they do have. If you don't want, or aren't allowed, to use flash, your only solution is to use the highest ISOs that you can squeeze out of your film/sensor & the fastest glass that you can find. In my experience, I need a minimum of ISO 640 & f/1.4 to get shutter speeds high enough capture any moderately energetic band (minimum 1/30th-1/60th sec. if you time it right), though some motion blur be OK. Here's an old example:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2555093766_58145368bf_o.jpg

shyoon

04-27-2010, 00:57

Olympus Stylus Epic with Neopan 1600.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2708/4403135215_fa7e6a9832_b.jpg

semrich

04-27-2010, 02:08

Sala Terrena Mozarthaus
Vienna, Austria

MP, Summicron 28/2.0 ASPH, Delta 3200 @ 1600

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/5622/U5622I1263401012.SEQ.0.jpg

cnphoto

04-27-2010, 06:54

that's a beautiful image semrich.

from a newly dev'd roll of Neopan 1600, 1:100 stand developed for 2 hours in Rodinal.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4557977322_609d044dfe_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/4557976874_7565feb69f_b.jpg

semrich

04-27-2010, 07:01

cnphoto, thank you. I'm glad it came out this well it is a reminder of an excellent venue and performance.

sevres_babylone

04-27-2010, 07:12

I shoot with my R-D1, usually at 1600. I have learned that it is important not to underexpose. Lately, I have also been using my Ricoh GRD3 at 1600 and F1.9, and it is surprisingly usable. These two shots are from SXSW in Austin, using the R-D1 and the Canon 50 1.5. The top one is of Seattle's Vince Mira, the bottom of Denmark's Choir of Young Believers.

http://www.pbase.com/zuiko40/image/123006190.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/zuiko40/image/123031507.jpg

Bnack

04-27-2010, 07:18

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2845419688_fd47a94cfe_o.jpg

k.a

04-27-2010, 07:43

shot with an olympus om1 and f2/35mm wide open at debaser in stockholm.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4511242233_691b69ce40_o.jpg
the film is fuji neopan 1600. since it's a metal band i don't mind the heavy grainyness and contrast

some more pics here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeanper/sets/72157621968636605/)

RayPA

04-27-2010, 09:12

I'm going to follow William's lead here and add to the John Doe count (here with Exene).
Lots of ...jostling up front at an X show (the slight blur).
Hexar RF 'cron 90/2. Superia 400.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/4558290384_0d471b256f_o.jpg

Same night same setup.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4557659713_9ce8aa3a5f_o.jpg

Here are some recent ones my G10 (not my first choice for shooting shows) at 400 and 800 ISO. I probably could sharpen these up some more.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/4555284534_e2183e5449_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/4555284366_b4d60e60ff_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/4555284344_5ee46010a7_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/4558355604_6a811092fb_o.jpg

furcafe

04-28-2010, 06:53

Well, if there's an X theme, I'll add to it, though this wasn't really low-light, since the 9:30 has good lighting.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2560729394_3ec2e1d09e_o.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/2560729394/

RFaddict000

04-28-2010, 08:48

I don't have tele lens so my shots are all made by 50 mm or wider. I also happen to be cheap and sit quite far from the stage. But that can let me bring the audience into the frame.

I like to take b/w photos of concerts. They distill the visual stimulus and get you to feel as if there is music going on.

With b/w I can also push the film if I need to, but for the concerts I have been to I can always have good results with ISO400 b/w film without pushing. Perhaps I had only been to big shows.

Jason Mraz in Boston 2009
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/3802215281_9a8ed3cdc6.jpg

U2 360 in Boston 2009
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3949735572_e9106fc4de.jpg

Juan Valdenebro

04-28-2010, 08:55

Sala Terrena Mozarthaus
Vienna, Austria

MP, Summicron 28/2.0 ASPH, Delta 3200 @ 1600

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/5622/U5622I1263401012.SEQ.0.jpg

Richard, outstanding photograph!

Oh, chamber music...

You've captured its spirit very well here!

Cheers,

Juan

Disaster_Area

04-28-2010, 08:57

Here's a few of my favorites...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4429928151_c41bc5f867.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbhildebrand/4429928151/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2792/4113602615_ceb1180c21.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbhildebrand/4113602615/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3957146973_95f1258d63.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbhildebrand/3957146973/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2004/3848101049_8fb66f2f27.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbhildebrand/3848101049/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3753535923_04d047539d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbhildebrand/3753535923/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/3652836766_d186f57381.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbhildebrand/3652836766/)

douwe

04-28-2010, 08:59

Mostly with Contax G1 on Fuji Neopan 1600@1250, or Konica Hexar on Kodak Tmax 400@400, or any possible combination:http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4269190337_802cd256f5_b.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4423636370_a525779560_b.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/4555429985_6d7dd79208_b.jpg

semrich

04-28-2010, 10:52

Juan, thank you.

Great thread, all fantastic shots here.

DriesI

04-28-2010, 13:47

Very good stage lighting (1/60 F1.4)
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/7210/U7210I1267568954.SEQ.0.jpg
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/7210/U7210I1267568957.SEQ.0.jpg

Communication between musicians (1/30 F1.4)
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/7210/U7210I1257713138.SEQ.0.jpg

All with 50mm summilux asph
Film trix@800 and some unidentified roll of ISO400 colour film (which turned out surprisingly good results)

Disaster_Area

05-13-2010, 11:08

a few shots from this week:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1308/4602371348_51c8cddbbd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbhildebrand/4602371348/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/4602695798_84d834f021.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbhildebrand/4602695798/)

SimonSawSunlight

05-13-2010, 12:06

tiefenrausch
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3297843804_706411f652.jpg

mikael blak (with teitur)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2949175619_64e97f9882.jpg
teitur
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2950029186_e2ca86d9e2.jpg

alonbenav

10-21-2010, 15:08

From a recent Frightened Rabbit show at a very dark venue here in Portland.
Neopan 1600 in my M6+35mm Summicron. Developed in D-76 1+1.

1. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5091961797_2b71b30fab_z.jpg
2. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5095595605_dc22dd4f6e_z.jpg
3. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5091923301_01e699c999_z.jpg
4. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5092520750_d52fb702d5_z.jpg

Hibbs

10-21-2010, 15:48

Here are some shots from Lilith Fair last summer.
Location: Ambleside Park, West Vancouver
Band: Sugarland
Film: Natura 1600
Lens: Nokton 35 1.2
Camera: Hexar RF

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5103653646_dd1d3b5ec8.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1045/5103653752_4bbf2ea4cc.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1130/5103653810_a240a2ff16.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1106/5103653576_5586ccda4b.jpg

Renzsu

10-21-2010, 16:05

I usually leave my camera gear at home when I go to a concert, but in this case it was on a festival where I had it with me 24/7 :)
Artist liked the shots as well, which was of course great to hear!
(M6 / 28mm Elmarit-M f/2.8 ASPH. / Kodak Tri-X @ 1600)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4983868160_00155f00f0_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/renzsu/4983868160/)
Gonjasufi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/renzsu/4983868160/) by Renzsu (http://www.flickr.com/people/renzsu/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4983269783_85c0961686_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/renzsu/4983269783/)
Gonjasufi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/renzsu/4983269783/) by Renzsu (http://www.flickr.com/people/renzsu/), on Flickr

Renzsu

10-21-2010, 16:10

http://www.pbase.com/zuiko40/image/123006190.jpg

Really like this one, the pose and the slight movement. Exposure is spot on as well, really conveys the mood. Your second image really pales in comparison I have to say.

cnphoto

10-21-2010, 16:14

some new stuff, Leia IIIf 35mm Summaron F3.5 1/60th on Tri-X pushed a bit past ISO6400 (maybe around 8000) i just shot as slow as i was prepared to and developed for 75 minutes in Rodinal 1:50 and hoped it worked. bad lighting.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5064502136_58005a0ac7_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5064502140_240813ca74_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/5064502146_a4c7a0faac_z.jpg

robklurfield

10-21-2010, 17:53

Nearly 30 years ago at Little Carnegie Hall (now I think they call it Zankel Hall). Henry Threadgill (alto sax) and Fred Hopkins (bass) with a string trio. My seats were up in the balcony. M4 and 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit. HP5. I think I shared my second ticket with the bassist Brian Smith, who was known for playing a 13-foot tall bass.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1156/5102766590_257b6aa5b0_z.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1412/5102767626_df7e87ef1e_z.jpg

jwnash1

10-21-2010, 18:06

Spyrogyro concert shot with 300mm Accura Diamatic, ISO 800 Fujicolor @5.6, shutterspeed not recorded but obvioslyu slow.

eddie1960

10-22-2010, 04:31

eddie1960

10-22-2010, 04:36

Hector Penalosa of The Zeros (and the Baja bugs etc ) after taking 34 years to finally make it to Toronto,

>http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4735756597_8c071a305f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddie_smith/4735756597/)

perudo

11-01-2010, 13:42

Nokton48

11-02-2010, 15:31

Hasselblad 500EL/M, 350mm F5.6 Zeiss Tele-Tessar C, Ilford 220 HP5+.

dbarnes

11-02-2010, 15:59

I have a lot of respect for low-light concert shooters of all stripes. But these days, given that kind of assignment, I'd reach for a good DSLR first. Between the high res, the high ISOs and the vibration reduction, the advantages are just too great. Just my $0.02. Your mileage may vary. And I don't mean to belittle the challenge of shooting concerts with film.