Photography

Good things to keep in mind if it's your first big show:

• show up early, you'll need to go and collect your accreditation from the guest list. After you've collected it may need to be escorted to the photo pit by security, so it's always worthwhile asking whoever's giving you your pass or venue security where you should go as every venue has it's own rules and setup when it comes to dealing with photographers. (note: it's not uncommon for large venues where in the UK to make you wait outside between bands, might not be the same where you are, but it's worth being aware that may be a possibility)

while shooting:

• be mindful of others, don't stand too long in one spot, make sure you're not getting in other people's way etc.

• One thing you may want to look at is getting a little step stool to get some height as if it's a large venue the stage might be awkwardly tall, but if you do bring one check with security before the show to see if you're allowed to use one.

• getting everything in that timeframe: It's difficult but doable, from memory neither band moves too much during first three so you should have plenty of time to think through composing your shots. Interpol will most likely have a lot of red lighting while you're shooting (or at least have had in the past), Bloc Party were bright white lights last time I photographed them, but that was years ago. If you want to get an idea, have a look at getty's photo feed (look up the band name and sort by newest) as they tend to have a fairly up to date library of images and it's unlikely lighting will change too much from show to show at that level.

• after the show: since it's a first three no flash rule, it's very likely that you'll be escorted back out of the venue, and won't be allowed back in unless you have a ticket and/or are checking your camera gear in. Again, this is dependent on the venue etc, but if you do want to stay for the show it might be worth asking your point of contact if you could also get a ticket if you don't have one already

In terms of if it's worth trying to get on stage, unless the tour manager has said otherwise, the pass you've been given will not allow stage access. And to clarify that "nothing from front of house/crowd after the first three” - front of house generally encompasses anywhere in the venue after the barrier (aka where the crowd are), so that means you won't be allowed to take photos from the crowd/back of the venue

Any other questions feel free to ask. If you haven't yet I highly recommend checking out Todd Ownyoung's blog, I Shoot Shows as he's spent years putting together loads of helpful tips for shooting concerts

If you can, watch their first three songs from recent shows on YouTube, make a mental notes of who does what and what the stage placement/lights there are. Who runs around, who stays put, what side of the stage you should start on. Run the placement and envision your shots while watching the video. You check Setlist FM’s to see if they play the same three songs all the time or they switch it up.

I typically make a plan to follow each person for about a minute at first to get a safety shot, then I can go more freestyle and react to what’s happening in real time.

You can shoot the first three songs from the pit and then you're done photographing. Nothing from the crowd. They may let you stay and watch the show, but no more photos.

Three songs lets you do a surprising amount. You're almost certainly not going to get on stage to shoot the crowd so don't worry about that.

Move around. Pay attention to the lights and try to use them as good backgrounds. If they have a giant screen behind them watch for banding. You may need to drop your shutter speed down to 1/125 or so to get the screen image without banding, but you will run into motion blur so you'll need to figure out what you want.

I assume since you've been photographing concerts that you know you'll almost certainly want to shoot in manual mode and expose for the performer. Shooting raw can be helpful. If you have two bodies it's generally easier to not switch lenses. You won't need anything longer than a 200mm most of the time from the pit. If you're ever stuck at the sound board bring the longest glass you have and a short collapsable stool.

The most important thing is to relax and have fun. It's just a concert. There will be more in the future so don't get too worked up about it. Understand that you're going to be in a tight space with other photographers trying to work and security guards who have other things to focus on. Play nice with the others and don't just camp out in one spot.

Congrats on the big gig!

For the '3 song rule', prioritize wide shots capturing the energy of both the band and the crowd, then focus on individual musicians. Being quick and ready to adjust settings is key. For stage access, it’s unlikely but always worth asking – unique angles can make your shots stand out!

And yes, it means only the first three songs from the pit, with no front-of-house or crowd shots afterward. Best of luck, can’t wait to hear how it goes!

Based on my experience, don’t try to shoot anything after the first three unless you get explicit permission from the venue. I’ve seen venue policies change and privileges removed for all photographers due to one example of a photog not respecting the rules.

Shoot with the fastest lenses you own. Respect the crowd but the pit is your space for those three songs. Respect the space of the other photogs. Don’t lift your camera in the air in front of other photogs. Don’t use flash unless it’s explicitly allowed. Don’t bump into other photogs while they are shooting.

The types of shots you want to get depend largely on the lenses you are bringing. But try to get a balance of individual shots and group shots, tight and wide angles, action, facial expressions, etc. avoid mic stands in artists’ faces.

Those bands are big enough to play venues that hopefully have decent lighting, which should help you.

Also, make sure you enjoy the experience. Shooting concerts is a lot of fun. After the three songs, hopefully you can put your camera away and enjoy the rest of the concert as a fan.

A lot of people are covering etiquette but a couple of things to try insofar as technique:

1. try playing around with a low shutter speed and intentional camera movement; something like 1/4th sec, hold the camera still for 75% of the exposure and then swoop the camera in a direction of your choice. This works best with bright lights in the background that generate trails. The look is something like this

2. Try setting your metering to "highlights" mode - a stage environment will likely have very bright highlights and very dark shadows, default metering will try and balance exposure for both. Highlight priority can let those shadows fall away and get a dramic contrasty look

3. Practical effect filters like a mist filter, prism filter, or star filter are all really fun and a little spice to your set.

4. Get a good mixture of individual shots and whole-band photos.

5. If you can have two camera bodies for two different looks (close ups/wide, effect filters/clean) its absolutely worth it instead of trying to swap lenses and filters on the fly. Use a versitile zoom lens if not.

6. Have fun, remember you deserve to be there they hired you because they like your work, and you're gonna do great!

Perhaps too elementary but I'd autobracket each time so you don't have to deal with tricky exposure situation. All other posts go into greater detail so I won't comment on those fine suggestions

Focus on the first three songs. Makeup starts getting messy and sweaty after that

first three songs only isn't that much of a constraint: you're trying to get the set of shots you'd normally try to get in a reduced timeframe, but fortunately bands generally look the same throughout all their songs--you can't hear anything in a photo, so viewers can't really tell if a shot is from a big finale or some less popular track.

your job is to make sure you can work through different styles of shots you've developed from earlier experience in the time available. if you're having trouble getting one, don't stick on it until you've got it and move on to the next instead. you can always try again if you find time at the end, but you'll never get shots you didn't try at all if you were trying to perfect another

as far as particular shots, make sure to try and get the drummer if you can. it's a bit up to the design of the venue and stage layout whether that's possible, but they're typically the most overlooked because they're in the back, behind other performers, and surrounded by a big amalgamation of metal and plastic

Awesome my mate is Interpol’s manager and another friend used to manage Bloc Party.

Some really good advice in the comments covering pretty much everything you need to know so I really have nothing more to offer but very best of luck and enjoy.

Been shooting shows for 20 years.

• earplugs. always bring earplugs.
• check setlist.fm to see what they will play for the first three songs. learn the songs. be prepared to "pray and spray" when things happen during the song.
• get there early to see the openers. get a sense of the stage lighting.
• extra memory cards and batteries.
• bring different lenses for variety and flexibility. Some rooms I'll bring 85mm and 16-35mm, while others I'll bring 24-70 or even 35-150.
• introduce yourself to the front security. this will pay off over time if you shoot a lot of shows.
• respect the rules. if it is 3 and out with no front of house shots. respect that. use your phone if you want some shots from front of house after the first 3.
• check if the guitarists are right or left handed.
• take a couple shots of the drummer.
• take crowd shots between bands.
• if there is a barrier, make sure to move a little from left, center to right and wide.
• shooting from the stage is invite only and you would know before hand. if you don't have "band" access, don't even ask.
• Pace yourself to your buffer. You don't want to have to wait for burst writes and miss out on something exciting.
• Shoot RAW and JPG.
• Find your selects that night after the show. Don't wait.
• Last thing. If your camera has it turn off electronic shutter.

I personally shoot wide open at 1.4 with 85 for close to the face. 2.8 with 24-70. 2.8 with 16-35. 2.8 with 35-150.

Having been to a number of Interpol, you should be able to shoot with a much lower shutter speed as they don't really move that much as compared to someone like Billie Eilish.

Shoot as many pictures as you can. Don’t be afraid to hold down the shutter during action shots. If shooting 14 FPS or above, with the changing light conditions and moving subjects, you’ll get at least ONE good shot from every burst. From a 3 min performance, I come out with at least 600 pics.