How to Take Great Concert Photos

Concert PhotosMemorial Day weekend is coming our way, and with it brings the start of concert season!

 

If you’re attending a concert in the coming weeks, you’ll want to capture every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

To help you take some memorable shots, we pulled together some of our best tips on how to take great concert photos.

 

Get your camera settings right

 

Depending on the lighting, you’ll need to adjust the camera’s settings accordingly. For example, If it’s an indoor or night concert, you’ll want to set your ISO high, whereas a bright, outdoor performance will require a much lower ISO.

 

Not sure which camera setting is which? Check out our article, De-Coding the Language of Camera Specs: 5 Key Terms to Know.

 

Test your physic powers                                                      

 

The performers on stage are usually in a constant state of motion, so catching them in a cool pose can be tricky. Keep your camera at the ready, and study their movements to see if you notice a pattern. When you think the perfect pose is coming up, get your finger on the trigger!

 

Activate burst mode

 

If your psychic powers aren’t working, set the camera to burst mode. This will help you take several pictures at once, increasing your odds of snagging a stellar photo.

 

Set the frame 

 

There’s a tendency at concerts to make the lead singer the focal point, placing them smack-dab in the middle of every shot.

 

Switch things up by off-centering your frame—it could create interesting contrasts and show more of the entire concert experience.

 

There’s more to capture then what’s on stage

 

While the lead singer naturally attracts a lot of attention, there may be a better shot sitting right next to you. This is your chance to get artistic and take photos of the moments that other attendees may overlook.

 

The most important tip

 

While you should absolutely take tons of great photos, make sure you spend enough time away from the camera to really live each moment outside the lens.

 

Enjoy the show!