Black and White or Colour?
Choosing between use of black and white and colour photography, which provides the greater impact as a visual influencer.
Choosing between use of black and white and colour photography, which provides the greater impact as a visual influencer.
Over the past 7 years I have developed a passion for music photography. Enjoyed building an extensive portfolio, gained a huge amount of experience and importantly made a number of new friends. With a camera in hand listening to live music, the creativity, energy and emotion of the moment is consuming, and evening will disappear in what feels like minutes.
There are plenty of books, blogs and probably courses available. In short, a lot of information that could potentially lead you to over think the whole concept and make it feel stressful, which it is not.
To help a little I have distilled my experience into six tips.
1) Where to start
My first opportunity came about by chance. I was taking some photographs at a business event and was asked if I could stay on and capture some images of the evening live music entertainment. A really good band, great music performed by a group of seasoned blues and rock performers. Being my first time, I took plenty of shots and the results were not particularly exciting. However, during post editing I realised that I had captured passion and emotion in the faces of the band members, this triggered my curiously and desire to explore the genre more. So, I started to research local venues, starting with pubs and jam sessions.
Be prepared to feel a little conspicuous at first, it can be difficult to blend into a music crowd with a camera. The best approach is to take a little time to absorb the atmosphere, enjoy the music and then limit your shots, take a few and put your camera away. Keep going, become a familiar and friendly face, share some of your images if asked and use social media. Talk to the band beforehand, let them know you would like to take pictures, they will be amongst the first to be interested in the results. As your reputation grows so will the opportunities and access to other venues.
The most important tip: Enjoy the atmosphere, immerse yourself into the event, listen to the music, watch the reaction of the crowd and visually get to know the characters of the band members. Think about composition, alternative angles and don’t be afraid to get down to floor level. Then you will start to know what you want to capture and hopefully relax and take some awesome shots.
Be prepared that shots from the first few concerts maybe disappointing, blurred, out of focus, under/over exposed or simply a poor composition. You will find some gems in that first ‘reel’ to edit but more than anything, it is a learning exercise for the next gig.
2) Equipment
Music photography does not need to be an expensive activity, you don’t need a high-end full frame DSLR camera worth thousands, but you will need a camera with the following technical abilities.
Sorry, this is the techie bit…
Now, I am a big fan of taking pictures with my phone and yes you can at a music event, especially those atmospheric back of the audience shot. You know the ones, stage lights illuminating the head, dry ice hanging like mist and lighters in the air. But for the close stage shots, not so great to be honest.
Find a second-hand DSLR with a zoom lens or a bridge camera capable of manual exposure.
3) You are not the main event
I have been to more intimate music events; the audience has been small but there are a number of photographers near the stage taking pictures. It is important to remember that the audience are there to watch band and enjoy, not treated to the silhouette of a person with a camera.
My ‘rule of thumb’ is simple
Actually, it is always interesting to turn the camera into the audience. They are very much a part of the show and it is an excellent way to capture the energy and atmosphere of the event.
4) The curse of red light
Unless you have been specifically engaged by the venue and have had the opportunity to talk to the lighting engineer, you will need to adapt to the environment. A lot of engineers and bands like red light, but this will play havoc with your shots, be prepared to get home and see a lot of red burn out. My advice is to avoid shooting when red lighting is being used, undoubtedly other colours (white, blue, yellow, etc.) will be used as well, often more than one colour giving some contrast. Red, however, does give you the opportunity to de-saturate converting to high contrast black and white images, which can be very powerful. Oh, and I would strongly recommend underexposing a little.
5) Editing
So, you have had a great night out and have a memory card bursting with images. As said above, prepared to be disappointed as you flick through the images but also be prepared to find the gems, because they will be there.
6) Sharing your work
You now have a gallery of images, some ideas on what to do with them.
Your images are now out there in ‘The Ether’. Be prepared to find them copied, re-posted and shared – it comes with the territory. It is worth remembering, as the person who composed and took the photograph you own the copyright.
Oh, and a ‘free’ piece of advice. Use ear plugs…! Especially at loud venues where a few pence could protect your ear drums.
Now, go out and enjoy. Go to a new venue with someone, a person that you enjoy spending time with, who like you appreciates varied and quality music and also appreciates your photographic style (may even suggest ideas or have a camera as well). Make it an evening out.
Check out some of my Music Photography in My Work.
In almost all aspects of my life I am a visual person. What exactly does that mean? Well to explain, I have sat in numerous business presentations, PowerPoint decks full of words and in some cases delivered by a presenter re-iterating them verbatim. Now I can read and listern as well as the next person but replace the words with an image I will immediately get it.
Think about some of the world problems humanity faces today. How about our glorious oceans being filled with the plastic residue of our humanity, the innocent sea life living in a sullied environment not of their doing. I have dedicated time reading articles and listening to experts on the news BUT nothing prepared me for the emotional response I had viewing graphic photographs. Images taken by photographers who are really passionate and relate to the essence of the issue. A fish eye view that hit home and left a lasting connection that absolutely visualises the impact and embodies me with the need to respond – a call to action.
As a photographer it is my purpose to deliver a strong emotional connection to my clients through imagery. They will engage me because they have a positive (hopefully) story to tell, a memory to capture or a key message to visualise and need my help.
When I first meet with a client, I will want to get to know them as a person, to understand the essence of what they want me to capture and story that have to communicate. They will also have a context, how the images will be used, who the audience will be and what will achieve the greatest impact. Especially so in today’s fast paced connected world where powerful visualisation is critical on the pulse of the moment. Once briefed, I will add value with my own adaptability, creativity and style to produce the shots that deliver and evoke the desired reaction. Put myself in the shoes of the viewer.
As well as a photographer, I have extensive experience in the commercial world of technology and business. Having led many software product initiatives and web design projects, worked closely with product and marketing experts, I understand the mechanisms, context of impactful visualisation and power of the social communications platforms. The right image with the right story to tell and at the right moment can deliver a powerful message, whether a call to action or that emotional trigger.
Previous engagements have included photographing festival events. Arriving early at the venue to capture the anticipation of the set-up, providing teasing images of the prospect of a fun day out and establishing excitement on social media channels and generate interest. Pictures of the main acts are key but just as important is capturing the energy and fun of the crowds, documentary style images of people, conceptual and unique shots of the venue, branding and the little things that combined together form a narrative for the event.
As a professional photographer, I use professional camera equipment. A bulky DSLR camera, weighty bag and lenses as the right tools for the right purpose. Also, in my back pocket I carry my trusty iPhone loaded with a variety of camera apps and the rather brilliant Snapseed editing tool. I apply my photographic expertise to take, edit and deliver (or post) creative visualisations within minutes. The ultimate resolution does not provide images for large-scale high-resolution reproduction, but the benefit of immediacy cannot be understated. A subject perhaps for another blog!
I believe that this approach is important irrespective of the event; whether a commercial business event, a wedding, a stage shoot or a party. It does not really matter, there is always a story to tell through creative images.
As a closing note. Over the years I have posted many images of musicians. My style is taking close shots with an editing approach to further amplify the raw emotion and individual character in the faces of each performer. These images have been ‘liked’ on social media but what is more important, they have attracted welcome responses and inspiring personal messages – perhaps even an emotional connection?
In short, I consume concepts visually and therefore I ensure my pictures do the talking.
You can view My Work and how I would Work With You then contact me on hello@neilmarshment.co.uk.
Snapseed is a complete and professional photo editor developed by Google. It gives you a ‘darkroom’ in your pocket.
@Snapseed on Facebook.
