3 Songs & a Little Flash
Last night I went over to the Corner to shoot Dallas Crane for Fasterlouder. I didn’t expect a photo pit for the gig but there was one. The usual rule applied – first 3 songs only although they didn’t specify holding off with the flash. I never use the flash for live band photography anyway since I think it’s disrespectful to the band performing. But a couple of the photographers there flashed away without question.
It’s always interesting shooting in the photo pit. Since I’m only armed with the Canon 350D and a cheapo (but still decent) 50mm lense, you get a lot of strange looks from other photographers. Most had $4000+ equipment around their necks. I even saw one photographer shooting with a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II and an uber expensive Canon L lense. All up that setup would’ve cost around $15000!!! Gone are the days when everyone and anyone can enter this field. One of the photographers I spoke to was a uni student and she had a $2000 lense and a $2000 camera with her! Fuck man – since when did all these uni students have so much cash? And there’s a bit of ego too. Since most of the photographers there had WAY more experience than me, a couple of them scoffed at my measly setup and whom I was shooting for. I actually thought that was pretty funny because you don’t need really expensive gear to shoot live gigs. It’s more about capturing a moment than anything.
Anyway, twas a decent gig and I had fun. Sydney band The Fumes warmed up the crowd nicely too.
10 Responses to “3 Songs & a Little Flash”
Did you really feel they were looking down to you because of your equipment???
Ive seen far less professional gear than yours in the pit before.
Thats nutty.
Yeah I dunno but I definitely got that vibe. And I’d like to think I’m a fairly friendly person, making chit-chat with the other photographers.
But you’re probably right. Surely it was something else. I’m certainly not cool so that probably played a big part. Oh well. I had fun never-the-less.
Good stuff James. If you were getting looks ‘cos of your camera I’d be down right embarrased if I showed up with my shitty Sony DSCV. hehe. I’d kill for a 350D. Hopefully soon!
most photographers ive seen are far from ‘cool’ .
have you seen some of those old men with their baggy pants and t shirts?! hehe
Dont be so hard on yourself matey!
Ahahahaha thanks Amanda but I’m not really beating myself up over it. I guess I kinda expect an unspoken regard/respect for other photographers in the pit but sometimes it’s not all smiles. I guess not all band photographers are friendly bloggers like all you guys :)
I was at the gig too shooting for Dwarf - the security guard wouldn’t let me in the pit though…
It is interesting to read your thoughts on ‘the pit’ and equipment and I totally agree, it is about capturing the moment and not about how good your kit is. It is the photographer - not the camera in the end that makes the shot in my opinion.
Hi Jodes! That sucks not letting you in the pit because there were only 4 of us in there and there was plenty of room! Dunno why they couldn’t let another photographer or 3 come in.
The pit snobbery definitely happens. It makes you cry though when the guy with the expensive 70-200 2.8 is also using flash and not even bouncing it (ummm why bother with all that fast glass when you’re taking bad rabbit-in-the-headlights photos????) Having said that, I guess I’m guilty of technique snobbery - haha!
When I started I was using a crappy sony mavica - I thought i was a pro when I started using a 300d with a 50 1.8. (and i still love using the 50 1.8 in my opinion the quality matches or surpasses any L zoom)
I shoot using the 350D and don’t own any L lenses, ans mainly shoot with the old 50mm lens. You can still get great stuff out of it. The proof is in the pudding.
Indeed guys. I mean do you really NEED L lenses to shoot live photography well? You’re all proof you don’t need the uber expensive glass to get great shots!