J. Dennis Thomas - Concert and Live Music Photography: Pro Tips from the Pit

Every camera manufacturer has numerous types of cameras, from the basic entry-level camera to the high-end professional model. Each level of camera has strengths and weaknesses, and even the top-of-the-line professional camera may have some attributes that you may not want or need.

If youre in the market for a new camera you should sit down and assess your wants, and more importantly, your needs, before you rush out and buy the newest, most expensive camera on the market. A lot of times you dont need all those bells and whistles, and they can be a hindrance when it comes down to the real work of actually shooting.

Two of the most important things to consider when looking at a camera for concert photography are build and durability. If youre considering making this a career, youre going to want a camera that is built to take the rigors of heavy use. Concerts held in outdoor venues can be dusty, or it may be raining or muddy. In this case youll want to look for a camera with weather sealing, which can also be a plus indoors shooting a small club show where there could be beer or drinks being splashed around. Trust me, Ive had beer spilled on my camera on more than a dozen occasions, especially when I was starting out.

Most of the mid to higher level cameras have a magnesium frame, as opposed to the polycarbonate or plastic body of the more entry-level models. A magnesium frame adds a much higher margin of durability to your camera. Camera bodies can be knocked around and sometimes even dropped when photographing in a crowd at a club or even in the photo pit of a major event. I highly recommend looking at magnesium-framed camera bodies for this type of work. These types of bodies are more robust and take a bit of a beating without suffering major damage. They are substantially heavier though.

1.2 While photographing the popular Austin punk band the Lower Class Brats at a tiny venue in Austin, the air was damp with sweat, condensation, and especially beer. Taken with a Nikon D700 with a Zenitar 16mm f/2.8 fisheye lens; ISO 200 for 1/4 sec. at f/5.6, TTL flash on, spot metering.

1.3 As you can see here, while photographing the performance metal band GWAR at the Austin Music Hall, I was repeatedly doused with alien blood and slime. The weather sealing saved my camera. Taken with a Nikon D700 with a Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G at 14mm; ISO 2000 for 1/200 sec. at f/2.8, spot metering.

Another good point of a magnesium-framed camera is that when using heavier lenses such as a 70-200mm f/2.8, you have less of a chance of warping the lens flange if you have the camera and lens hanging from a strap. Although quite rare, plastic-bodied cameras have been known to warp slightly from the weight of the lens and in a few ultra-rare cases the lens flange has ripped completely from the body.

Smaller entry-level cameras are usually manufactured from a durable polycarbonate plastic. These cameras have the advantage of being much lighter, which can be a real asset when shooting an all-day-long festival. If youre not planning on doing a lot of heavy shooting, this may be a great lightweight option for you.