Live Events
Photographing live events can be great fun, you’ re working in a social atmosphere, there’ s music, drinking etc. But it also comes with challenges. The environment is unpredictable and spontaneous. There are limited opportunities to capture a passing moment, often there is low lighting and limited space to contend with. A little preparation can go a long way to help. Jeff Spirer recommends undertaking some research before the event,“ the first thing I do is research online the venue … what matters most is lighting and stage set up.” This helps Spirer work out where he will position himself to achieve his desired shots and the level of ambient lighting available, as well as giving him an idea of the equipment he will need. Richard McCaffrey suggests arriving early to scope out your surroundings. McCaffrey is keen to remain as unobtrusive as possible, particularly in more intimate venues, so for him, where he positions himself is vital. Performers can make brilliantly dynamic subjects. The following are images from a gig at‘ The Roadhouse’ in Manchester. The images are not perfect, though they capture the bands energy, which is an important quality in event photography.
24writer’ s block