Shooting Tips: Flash photos are almost always a no-no during a performance, so be sure to disable your camera’s flash. Use slower shutter speeds with wider apertures for better imaging in low-light conditions. If your camera has a “silent” shutter mode, engage that too. This will eliminate the “noise” of the shutter snapping which can easily disturb those near you including other concert attendees, some of the concert facility staff and performers. You should also use at least two cameras if possible, in the event one camera “fails” for any reason, you'll have the second one allowing you to continue shooting with little interruption. Having more than one camera has saved me on a number of photo shoots. If you have a good telephoto lens with a wide aperture, it may come in handy too but you’ll frequently need to use a tripod, monopod or other camera-steadying support for sharp images. Know in advance what you can or cannot bring into and use in the concert facilities.
After the concert there’s still work to be done. Will there be an after-concert cast or performer’s party, reception or other type of gathering? You should know where and be able to attend if possible. If not, get photos of performers and other celebrities entering and/or leaving. Hey, the paparazzi do it all the time and are well-compensated for it too. Don’t forget emotion-evoking images of concert-goers before, during and after the performance. Get people’s names, contact information and signed model releases. People love getting complimentary prints or e-mailed digital files of their photos so offer this to them and you should have little trouble getting their permission to use the images.
The magic of the concert has ended – or has it? Days or even weeks later, those music concert digital images are still very much in the running. You can offer your images to:
· Newspapers (both online and print)
· Magazines (both online and print)
· Online publications and websites
· Stock photography sites (with signed model releases when required)
Also consider offering a series of digital images to the concert artists or performers themselves or their agents, especially if you have unique, personalized shots of a particular individual. Whether a performer is one of the “headliners” or not, even backup band members crave good images of them performing. Who knows? Your informal image may just be the one a performer or agent likes and uses for publicity or other official purposes. Now wouldn’t that be nice?