first bar shoot

[AcadieLibre]

MY ISO is usually 800 to 3200. MY 50D can go to 12800 and never gone there yet. Fast glass is the most important thing you can invest in. 6 of my 8 lenses are 2.8 or faster including my primes. I want to lowest ISO I can use. Shutter speeds I try to keep 1/100 as my slowest, but for a drummer lets say you need at least 1/125 shutter speed. Now these are just approximations and I have taken photos shutter speed 1/40 and IS0 6400 and a prime f/1.4, anything under 1/60 shutter speed you better have nerves of steel or you will end up with movement in the photo. Each club , stadium and band require adjustments and different approaches. If your fastest is 3.5 go high ISO as you camera can go.

This artist may not have minded the Flash but many people do, and even if they don't mind the audience experience is not the same with some guy taking photos and with his flash, many people will dislike you over it. I go out of my way not to interfere with the band or the enjoyment of the audience, when you do bands you need to try and be as invisible as possible to everyone there. One last word on Flashes, I have never used a flash at a concert or club ever, Promoters like Live Nation it is a no go, you use flash you get the boot, so learn not to use one.

When you get no meter reading you need to use the stage light as your light source and where you shoot from is very important. It is all practice, practice. Eventually it is second nature. I can look at the light, the band and just know what I need, but it is hard to get great shots and difficult at best to get good shots. Learn to shoot at angles, they will be your best friend eventually.