Taking good pictures at concerts- How???

diamondsnake · #1 09-05-2004, 10:39 PM

Anyone have some good tips for taking beautiful pictures at concerts? I finally found out my seat location for the Atlantic City concert- Row 2 a little towards the left (right in front of Stevie's mic I hope!). Anyway, I really want to take some pictures of Stevie but don't know how. A lot of the pictures I see posted on the sites from the concerts look somewhat washed out and too bright. And since Stevie's skin is so light anyways, you can barely make out her face! However, some pictures are amazing and are darker and the colors are rich and Stevie's dress is black and not a smog color. Is this because those people do not use a flash? Also, do you guys have more luck with digital cameras or regular old film style cameras that you have to get developed? Also, what about security? Are they an issue? Anymore hints on taking good pictures?

DeadliestPoison · #2 09-05-2004, 11:27 PM

At my show, I was close enough to the stage (3rd row) where I didn't have to use a flash - the lighting was bright enough to get good pictures. I didn't want to use flash because I figured that'd draw attention to me and I didn't want my camera taken away.

I used an HP Photosmart 318 digital, which I don't think they make anymore. To get the best pictures, I had to use the 2x digital zoom. If I didn't, they would have looked really far away. *shrug*

Uuuuh. Oh. If you go the digital route, I'd suggest bringing along a memory card. I had lost mine (I've since found it), and by GYOW I had to take the quality down to the lowest setting. Which resulted in heavily pixelated pictures.

To hide 'em, is a girl going with you? The easiest way (this is how I got mine in), is to have your female concertgoer friend hide it in a purse under a few "feminine products," if you catch my drift. Works best with a male security guard

You can see some of my pictures at Pneumatic-Drills.org, but that's seemingly not in operation. I posted some at Burnish in ye olden days, but those are gone, too, most likely (since the current board's new, etc). I have some more lying around on a CD-R somewhere around here. I'm too lazy to find them, though.

Songbird4 · #3 09-05-2004, 11:48 PM

I took some pictures at a couple of concerts with my Nikon Cool Pix 3100. The pictures came out decent, if I knew how to post pictures, I would. Anyway, I liked it because I could see how the pictures came out after I took them and delete them when necessary. Lindsey is easy to take pictures of, Stevie, a little bit harder. I think it might have something to do with her lighting. A good tip that I was given after my last show, when using a digital, look through the viewfinder instead of using the display. It should help when trying to steady the picture. And if you use the best quality setting on a digital, you don't have to worry about the distance thing as much. You can take the memory card to a place like Wolf and zoom and crop the pictures. But from the 2nd row, it shouldn't really be a problem. I was in the 5th row in West Palm taking pictures and I was fine.

Security you will have to feel out. It all depends on the venue. I was so scared trying to get my camera into Mansfield and they didn't even pay any attention when "looking" in my purse, which was really small and the camera was pretty obvious. Other venues, like Jacksonville, clearly state no cameras and I would be a lot more careful places like that. I would say don't use a flash. I didn't need one and I know my friend didn't either. Plus, it annoys the heck out of Stevie especially.

I wish you lots of luck and I hope you have a blast at the concert. I hope you will report back for all of us who don't have anymore concerts to go to

and share any pictures that you get!!

~Kim

Kelly · #4 09-06-2004, 07:14 AM

I have heard a few people say the security at the Borgata might be tight since it is casino security.They might be tougher on cameras. I am not taking my camera to the AC show..even though I have front row. I just want to enjoy the last two shows. If you are going to take pictures, I would not use the flash, it draws attention to you and bothers Stevie alot. I would also just take them periodically and not constantly throughout the show. Lindsey is so easy to photograph, he seems to enjoy it and even mugs for the camera. Stevie is difficult...she moves alot and her lighting is different, as mentioned above. Good luck. Four more days!!! Hooooooooooo.

Sorceress · #5 09-06-2004, 09:46 AM

Yeah, I think I've said this before, but Stevie must have some anti-photography protective aura around her.

She is so hard to photograph well, and if she sees you doing it, it's obvious she doesn't like it very much. Even without a flash. I am torn about taking more photos at the last shows...Is it worth it to displease Stevie in order to document the night and keep it in my memory?
I think I'll take Kelly's advice and just try to shoot any new and different special moments that might occur instead of snapping throughout the show. Definitely I'll not be using my flash and I'll be trying to be as non-intrusive about it as possible.

ps: I wonder if it is easier to get good shots of Stevie if you are directly in front of her? The lighting might not be as much of a factor as it is from the center or Lindsey's side.

diamondsnake · #6 09-07-2004, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorceress

Yeah, I think I've said this before, but Stevie must have some anti-photography protective aura around her.

She is so hard to photograph well, and if she sees you doing it, it's obvious she doesn't like it very much. Even without a flash. I am torn about taking more photos at the last shows...Is it worth it to displease Stevie in order to document the night and keep it in my memory?
I think I'll take Kelly's advice and just try to shoot any new and different special moments that might occur instead of snapping throughout the show. Definitely I'll not be using my flash and I'll be trying to be as non-intrusive about it as possible.

ps: I wonder if it is easier to get good shots of Stevie if you are directly in front of her? The lighting might not be as much of a factor as it is from the center or Lindsey's side.

I'm sort of wondering if I should bring a camera and worry about taking pictures or if I should not worry about it and just enjoy myself. I think I have to bring a camera though because what if something amazing happens and I get to meet Stevie and can't get a picture of her? I would be kicking myself!

diamondsnake · #7 09-07-2004, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly

I have heard a few people say the security at the Borgata might be tight since it is casino security.

I certainly hope not. Remember a few months ago that concert at that Indian reservation casino? I heard they didn't let one person go up to the stage!

But I don't think it will be bad at this concert because it is an actual outdoor venue as opposed to a basically "invite only" indoor event.