so i get a lot of questions from people asking for tips on what to do when shooting live. when i started looking at seriously doing this...i scoured the net for resources...i learned a few things here and there, picked up some tips...but you're going to find that most of what you need to do is going to come from practice. i cant tell you how to take a good photo...but i can tell you things that were helpful to me. so to get you started, here are some disjointed thoughts.

equipment -
every thing on this site was either shot with a 35-mm SLR pentax camera, a fuji finepix or my nikon d70 digital slr.
you can check this blog entry on equipment to find a list and links of what ive used.

35mm film - i'll be honest with you...i never paid a lot of attention to the fine detail on technical shooting. f-stops and all that. i learned it in school...but when i shoot i measure by how the camera feels...its just my way. so i cant help you there. but i do know this - fast film. if you go into a small club with 400 speed kodak gold film you're probably going to have very red - if that - photos. you need to invest in some fast film. i would suggest 800 speed on upwards. if you know how to push your film, you may need to do that depending on lighting. i was a big fan of fuji 1600 for color and either ilford or kodak 3200 black and whites. the higher you go in speed the more grain your photos will have. but i liked the grain :] and make sure and find a good lab that will take the time to print each image. ive had labs sloppily print my photos where the images overlap each other because of the darkness...i needed to move onto a (all be it more expensive) lab that would spend time on each frame. often well worth it.

the fuji finepix was a temporary fix for me - its a point and shoot digital...i dont really suggest this unless its all you have and youre desperate (as i was). in this case, just mess with the settings and get the best exposure that you possibly can. shoot a LOT, because with a point and shoot youll probably have to shoot 30 photos to get one clear shot.

nikon - i use the sports setting...i have the iso as high as it can go...and i experiment. im still not the biggest fan of digital, but i can fire off ten shots and quickly look at the display to see if i need to change some settings.

when i shoot a show, i usually shoot about 1gig. in about 10 minutes. i can fire off 200 photo in the first 3 songs. some people slowly measure when they take photos...carefully taking them...not i. i find my angle and shoot like crazy - the blink of the persons eye can totally change the photo.

the photos are just a canvas for me. its only half of the creative process. the other half is done in photoshop.

etiquette -
very very important. you dont want to be annoying when you're shooting. i try to be as discreet as possible. first of all, the golden rule of photography - DO NOT USE A FLASH. aside from it being distracting, and annoying for performers (after 10 shots or so..) it makes your photos look like snapshots. if youre shooting from 10 rows back in a show, fire off that flash and all youre going to do is light up the back of everyones head in front of you. dont push your way around...i believe in photo karma. if im at a small show and i want the best shooting angle, i show up early and earn my spot. if im in a barricade shooting, i try to shoot as best as i can without being too distracting to the people in the front row. i know how annoying photogs can be when im the hardcore fan in the front...i dont want to take away from their experience. please pick up your trash - dont leave film canisters lying around.

practice -
thats really the bottom line. you need to practice. if you want to practice comfortably, get to know some local bands. i always found it helpful to have the bands blessing while i was shooting...i was much more comfortable and really took control of shooting. get to know all your local clubs...find out their photo rules. i know the photo rules of every club in LA...i know where i can shoot and cant shoot without permission. i look for free shows so i can get even more practice...i look to shoot shows of bands and genres i normally do not do.

its good to get some locals that you shoot often - when you learn their performance and style - you kind of know when to shoot. i have shot ben lee so many times that i know there are certain points in songs i always have my camera raised to shoot at. i also know when the songs come that id rather just sit and watch.

every show is a different experience...they will not all be the same. often times, one minute into the first song i know that its just not going to happen. the club has decided to sit on dark blue and red lighting and no white spot...so im here to just enjoy the show tonight, not shoot. it happens.

if youre looking to build a portfolio to try and gain work - dont just focus on the singer. shoot everyone in the band. every instrument is a different experience. shooting the drummer can often be a challenge - so if have a great shot of them...go for it. you dont often get that chance.

if youre able to - move around the room. shoot a few songs from the front row...slap on a telephoto and shoot from the back...climb up to the balcony and shoot from up there. if you have access from the side of the stage, that can be fun too. if you have access, use it.

be flexible. go with the flow. and have FUN. id love to see examples of peoples work if youd ever like to share. and im always up for discussion...my feedback on shots, whatever. :]

there arent many books out there, but i suggest these books if youre really looking into this -
Concert Photography by Jon Sievert - this book gives you some tips on various things. its def. not a how to shoot a great shot book, but it gives you some ideas on where to start and handle certain situations.

i also suggest looking into legal handbooks as your work progresses...

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