Comments on: It’s “Guest Blog Wednesday” featuring Alan Hess

By: A DPE Interview With Alan Hess! « Pursuing Photoshop

A DPE Interview With Alan Hess! « Pursuing Photoshop — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:16:57 +0000

[...] is a great article he wrote on Concert Photography at Scott Kelby’s blog. http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2008/archives/2063 His newest book release.”Exposure Digital Field Guide” This book has been flying off [...]

By: Barry Fryer

Barry Fryer — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 05:08:45 +0000

Thank you for such a detailed, helpful and informative blog Alan. Very much appreciated.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:22:22 +0000

Hey..RockPhotoStar,

re: low light situations/slow shutter speeds etc….

Sometimes those make better images than the brightly lit places…no one said that the action always had to be stopped. Extremely blurred pics can create more of a mood etc…(& don’t forget silhouettes) Don’t get me wrong, I feel your pain. I also agree that all sports photogs should cut their teeth in high school gyms that are comparable to caves (not to mention nighttime HS football that seems to be lit by candlelight).

And heck, if we want to take it a step further..all photogs should learn their craft with film cameras…processing the film themselves.

I shoot sports & concerts (& everything in between..except weddings) and I’ve got quite a few grey hairs to prove it. Keep shootin’!

By: RockPhotoStar.com

RockPhotoStar.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:31:18 +0000

Alan, the shots are nice. I’ll check out your site. Lot of good info.

I am starting to blog on photography, including concert photography on my blog. Right now I got photos of an exhibit up and am putting together a photo book. Besides my blog, you can also check my stuff at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockphotostar/

You got some great lights to work with to be working at iso800 and below. Would love to see shots at VFW, garage and pool hall type indie type of shows. That’s where I would recommend people cut their bread and butter, developing foundational skills.

As for flash, you’re right a lot of places don’t allow flash. I also simply don’t find flash dragging and flash shots, i.e. where you can tell flash was used, generally that captivating compared to nonflash (of course, there are exceptions). However, I am very impressed with those that know how to blend their flash to the environment so that one can not tell that a flash was used versus stage lighting.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:01:29 +0000

Alan…from one concert photographer to another, everything you said is dead-on!!
Other than a few post-production details…seems that we think along the same lines. As soon as I read your first paragraph I knew we were photo-brothers from another mother!

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:38:25 +0000

Awesome timing, found this post this morning – am shooting my first concert gig tonite (Bedouin Soundclash!!!) at a smaller venue so some of this will apply – most helpful!

By: leroy

leroy — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:22:14 +0000

Great tips……………………

Thanks…

By: Photoshop Insider Blog By Scott Kelby » Blog Archive » Concert Photography Workshop at Photoshop World

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:17:11 +0000

[...] when I had concert photographer Alan Hess here as my guest blogger? He did a kick-butt article on how to shoot concerts, and it was a huge [...]

By: Todd Gay

Todd Gay — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:32:20 +0000

I’m sitting hear laughing at the many same things I go through too with being The Chance Theaters photog in Poughkeepsie,NY for over a year. Drunk patrons,flying beer,ice cubes,getting spit on and being hit with garbage cans thrown from the stage. You’d be GOOD if you could make it out alive past the first 3 songs !!!
No money to be made unless a paper will pay for a few photos for the weekend edition or a band hires you ahead of time to shoot their set. The current economy has really hurt this profession .
Do it cause you love photography & music ! It really is challenging.

By: How to Take Great Photos at Concerts - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com

How to Take Great Photos at Concerts - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:29:08 +0000

[...] How to Photograph Rock Concerts – The Basics How to Photograph Rock Concerts – Beyond Basics Three Songs, No Flash 6 Tips to Take Great Photographs at Music [...]

By: Concert Photography Tips from a Newbie | artwarriors.com

Concert Photography Tips from a Newbie | artwarriors.com — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:22:13 +0000

[...] Three Songs, No Flash [...]

By: Alan Hess

Alan Hess — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:53:01 +0000

I just wanted to drop a quick note to Jordan in regards to the flash usage.

There are many photographers out there that do great things using a flash. Dragging the shutter at a concert will give you great effects and interesting photos, The problem arrises when you get used to that type of photography and then get to shoot a bigger show. 99.999% of all big shows will not allow you to use a flash at all. Thats is why my advise is to learn how to shoot without one.

Alan