Event Photography with my D50 (Live Music)

[jszaszvari]

Gday guys

Been using my D50 Alot recently and getting the hang of all the features.

Now i am going to some live music events over the weekend and i have been asked to take some photos for them.

With all the flashing lights and stuff i presume this may be hard. And i thik one of the events is in low light

I dont know much about shooting in this sort of environment.

Is anyone able to provide me with some insight on what would be the best techniques to shoot these events. Just looking for what i should do with my camera to get the best results

Thanks guys!

John PS: Cant wait to become a part of this awsome community

[gstark]

Hi John,

Welcome to our humble abode.

There's been plenty of discussion on this sort of topic, and it's probaly a good idea to search for things like event, band, or stage, to find some of those threads.

The flashing lights are rarely an issue, but poor lighting , and the range of contrast you'll be encountering in any given scene, often is. Fast lenses are useful, as is learning how to use the spot metering facility in your camera.

Similarly, flash exposure compensation can be a very helpful technique, helping you to reduce the apparent contrast range.

Again, this has all been covered in those past discussions that I'm referring to, and I'd commend you to use the search function, and then ask about issues that remain unclear or that you believe may not yet have been covered.

Finally, I'd strongly recommend to you to read the FAQ, and to update your location in your profile so that it is something meaningful. And in compliance with our rules.

Enjoy your stay here: we all look forward to your participation and seeing what you're able to do with your camera.

[Raskill]

Welcome aboard!!!

The key to shooting in low light is to use a high ISO, as well as a lens that lets it as much light as possible, such as a 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4 (or the 1.8 versions for us poorer kids). Depending on what you will be shooting, and the lighting you could also use a VR lens, which will allow slower shutter speeds in lower light conditions.

Depending on the venue, flash photography might not be allowed, but if you can, get your hands on a SB600 or SB800, learning to effectively use your speedlight will make the difference between mediocre flash shots and great ones.

If you use a high ISO, your images will get noise in them. This noise can be removed woith several programs, I find 'noise ninja' really good and easy to use.

Look forward to seeing your shots!

[jszaszvari]

The lens that came with the camera is a

AF-S DX 18 - 55 mm F3.5 - F5.6G ED
(27 - 82.5 mm equiv. FOV, 3x zoom)

Thats the standard kit lens.

Iv also got a larger one wich would be completly useless for this sort of thing

Would that lens be sufficiant ?

[nito]

pick up a 50 mm 1.8 for about $185. It will help heaps and its cheap. But if you cant purchase such a lens the kit wide open at high ISO's will do the trick shot at a wide focal length. Just be very still with your shot. Next to impossible at 55 mm unless there is a lot of stage lighting. Centre and spot metering will also help.

[jszaszvari]

Would this lense be more suitable

http://www.maxwell.com.au/products/niko ... 4d_af.html

Or is there a better one than that

Theres the 28mm Version but dont think i would want that -

Did the gig last night, Not that impressed with the photos as i had to use a flash as it was virtually pitch black Will post some photos tonight

[nito]

Would this lense be more suitable

http://www.maxwell.com.au/products/niko ... 4d_af.html

Or is there a better one than that

Theres the 28mm Version but dont think i would want that -

Did the gig last night, Not that impressed with the photos as i had to use a flash as it was virtually pitch black Will post some photos tonight

Either 50mm is better than the kit lens for low light.

The 50 mm 1.4 is about $480, 50 mm 1.8 $200, the 28mm 2.8 is about $400. 85mm 1.4 is $1700. Depends on your budget and how light you want your wallet to be.

[jszaszvari]

Just uploading the photos now

Whilst mucking around with my camera, i took this shot

http://www.roflcopter.net/Photos/bar.jpg

I like it

I know its probally a "Newb shot" but we all have to start somewhere ey?

*Big time beginner gets back to reading up on exposure

[Raskill]

Mate, I'd be happy with your shot if I were you, it makes the bar seem warm and inviting. It would have be great to have someone sitting at the bar, or maybe a couple talking, but you work with what you have.

A good starting point!!! Exposure is a steep learning curve, with plenty to know, I have found that trial and error are the best teachers!

[jszaszvari]

I have found that trial and error are the best teachers!

Thanks!

Yeh so far trial and error and the wonderfull people here are helping me get to be where i want to .

Will post up my shots a bit later