So normally this space is reserved for my ramblings on CDs and the live concerts I’ve photographed and reviewed, but today I feel I must voice my concern about a “rule” that has so pervaded the live performance landscape as to have me worried about the future of live concert imagery: Three and you’re out, no flash.
"What in the hell does that mean," you might be saying? It’s simple: when given press credentials to a show, the vast majority of publicists, venues, or the band themselves have a rule. You can photograph the first three songs of a performance and then you’re done, get out, and don’t even think about using your flash.
It could be anyone of the above mentioned or just one of them. Hell, the publicist and the band might be okay with you photographing the whole show, but seeing how communication between all three of the spokes in this wheel aren’t exactly turning at the same pace, the word often doesn’t get passed down and the photographer finds himself flat on his tail.
"But how is this a bad thing?" you might be asking yourself. I’ve had to deal with some pretty pushy photographers in the past and they got in the way of my enjoyment of the show… to heck with them. To be sure there are some rude, pushy photographers out there and truthfully they should be handled in the same manner as the mosh pit kid who just can’t seem to contain himself to the mosh pit. By and large though, most concert photographers are music lovers as well, and understand that nobody wants their concert experience ruined by some jerk trying to take a picture and go out of their way to be as unobtrusive as possible. I know I personally have gone to great lengths to make sure I wasn’t blocking someone’s view or stepping on people’s toes or what have you. Oftentimes I scout out the place I’m shooting before the performance so I’ve figured out some great places to get “that shot” and have, on more then one occasion, been asked and obliged to use someone else’s camera to get “that shot” for them.
Article comments
1 - Christian James
Very nice article! Luckily not all bands are that way, you just need to search a little harder these days to find the ones that are photog friendly. I'd much rather shoot an entire show for a medium-sized band any day over a first-three-only large band. Many of my favorite photographs came from encores. That emotion just isn't there when most bands come out on stage.
2 - Benjamin Cossel
I couldn't agree with you more and I certainly prefer to shot acts in smaller venues that are photog friendly. Then there is of course the 3rd part of that whole problem, the venue... So the publicist is ok with you shooting the whole thing, the band is ok but no one tells the house and they kick you out...happened to me very recently. I'm not going to argue with security down in the pit but I sure as hell took it to the back to the main office. Didn't matter that I had a letter from the publicist and everything, no dice, three and out. To bad too, the venue really has a good light set up and a light guy that knows how to work them.
3 - Don
Mr Cossel-
FANTASTIC article! I love photography and attending live shows & have to admit...I'm one of 'those' that 'sneak in' a one-step camera. No, it's not a digital & it's NOT a cell phone camera either!
This is a wee little bit off the subject, but kinda pertains, not to you the Professional Photographer, but the individuals like myself that 'sneak' in a camera, hoping & praying to get 'that shot' too, & who also abide by the 'no flash' rule! You see...my canon one step does have a feature where I can turn the flash off, so thus is why I 'attempt' to sneak it in every concert I go to! Knock on wood here...I've been lucky!
My concern/grip/question is this: If the venue itself is so h*ll bent on "no cameras, they will be confiscated..etc.." Why is it OK for all of these people taking pictures with their cell phone cameras? I keep telling myself that if I'm told that I can't bring my camera in to an event..I will (politely mind you) show them that I have the no flash feature & bring it to their attention that if you take MY camera, you better darned well take EVERYONE's CELL PHONE camera!!!! Of course, I could be talking to deaf ears, but I always say: 'You never know, unless you don't ask!'
I know this has no relation to you the Professional out there taking pics of the bands, but when you had mentioned that the band, publicist, venue, etc are or are not ok with it, I just had to bring it up to see if you've seen this first hand too??
OK..I have to ask...How does one get involved, who do we need to know to be able to take pictures at a show? I do have a nice Canon Rebel T2 with a couple lenses.
Thanks for your time!
4 - Kristen Weick
I completely agree with this article - Thank you Benjamin! At one show I was shooting I was restricted to the first two songs only. Thank goodness for digital which allows me to shoot almost constantly, hoping for the best. These restrictions are taking a bit of the art out of shooting live concert photography because it is more of a frenzy to get a good shot than anything else. I can't tell you how many times I've seen shots that could have been amazing but were after the first two or three songs, so I would have gotten thrown out if I continued to take photos. House of Blues even makes you personally sign a waiver before shooting in their venues. I feel that another restriction we face is lighting. I would not be suprised if the venue, or artist managment company, or whoever, tells the lighting people to keep the lights low so our photos don't come out as well, and of course we can't use flash. My goal in taking live concert photos is to make the band look amazing, and the industry is making it harder and harder. I still love the opportunity to take photos at all, though!
5 - brian
you pretty much nailed it on the head of why i gave up shooting shows a few years ago. Facing lawsuits for selling photos and not providing them free to the label... I mean photographers can't eat internet credits, we need money for food. anyways nice article.