Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique
Posted in Photography by CujoSeptember 18th, 2006 - 9:18 PM
This post is more of a double edged sword, I was planning on posting a bit of my technique as some people have asked about it as well as to get some possible point corrections on it. Problogger also put up his latest group writing project today which is about how to’s, so here’s my entry for that as well.
I mostly shoot photography in low light situations covering local musicians and capturing the scene — more news on my year in this coming soon… Craig may have let the cat out of the bag in an earlier comment.
Step 1: Get the Equipment
I cannot stress this enough, I tried shooting some of my favourite local bands before I had the proper equipment and wasn’t happy with my results at all. I tried a simple point and shoot HP 318 digital camera, it was an older camera and I didn’t have much control, the results were bad. I then tried shooting with Jes’s HP 850 digital camera, it had more features but I still didn’t like the results. Mainly with these cameras you would hit the shutter button and the picture would take a few tenths of a second later missing the shot you wanted.
The equipment I mainly use now are my Canon 20D DSLR and a Tamron 28-70mm f/2.8 lens. A lens with an aperture positioned below 2.8 may work even better but I’m quite happy with the results of that particular lens. I’d like to say my talent is what gives me all of the great shots I have but I know I owe a lot of credit to my equipment.
Step 2: Know the subject
The first bands I started shooting were friends I knew for awhile. As I shot more often I began to come into contact with people from other bands and asked if I could shoot them. Knowing your subject or having them know that you are at least shooting them takes away the uneasiness that may be shown in some photographs, it also adds a form of comfort for when you are moving around trying to get the perfect shot.
Step 3: Shoot first ask questions later
An early mistake I made was not taking enough shots. I’d shoot and hope every picture would turn out, this isn’t the case. The more you shoot the more pictures you’ll have to choose from to find those five or ten top shots. I generally shoot upwards of 150 pictures every night and widdle that number down to between 30 and 40 for showing on the blog and in reality only really like a handful of those on display.
Step 4: Be creative but not too creative
The picture/subject should speak for itself but the framing can add a dynamic that will give the shot that extra umph. Find a position and shoot multiple shots at different focal lengths, encompass the entire stage and move in from there until you have the subject as tight as possible in the lens while still capturing the moment. Don’t get too crazy with the lens however, shooting on a weird angle will probably backfire and make it look like you were falling over and misshot or that you weren’t trying to do what you needed. There’s no reason to take away from the subject with an odd camera angle.
Step 5: Move around
You can only capture so many shots from the same seating/standing position no matter the number of lenses and focal lengths you use. If you got to know the subject as mentioned in step two moving around in front of them won’t be distracting as they know what you are there for. This will also allow you to grab each separate subject from different angles and lighting perspectives (stage lighting) which will add other dimensions to shots that you wouldn’t see if you stayed stationary.
Step 6: Let the lights do the work
I’m not a “professional” in that I have a room full of camera gear so I can’t speak for any shoe mount flashes but if you’re shooting in low lighting situations where there’s stage lights do not use your flash. I cannot stress this enough, the first time out I used the built-in flash on the camera and it simply drowned out any mood and effects caused by the stage lighting. If you’re shooting a band or another stage performance the lights help add to the feel and emotion of the show, if you drowned these out you might as well be shooting the subject in a hallway as you can’t get the feel for what is happening. Too often I see flashes being fired and sometimes these interfere with my own shots. I’ve had a couple of shots that would have been amazing that were ruined (in my opinion) by flashes from other people — it’s just something you need to watch out for as you have no control over what they are doing. The higher you can “stop up” your f-stop the better, on my Tamron lens I consistantly shoot at f/2.8 as that’s as high as I can go — if you have a higher aperture you may get better results and have a bit more play. You’ll also have to set your ISO to 800 or 1600 to get the speed of the shot for the quick movements that’ll be happening.
Step 7: Have fun and continue learning
Everytime you’re out remember to have fun. Don’t take what you’re doing too seriously and the pictures will provide the results you want. After you take some shots feel free to quickly view what they are looking like (in focus or not) to see if you can adjust anything, make small adjustments and repeat. If it’s your first time and nothing turns out how you like head out again, you can’t be perfect and you can’t be perfect your first time out. Also always try to learn new things and expand your skillset. I’ve been shooting bands most weekends since late December of 2005 and I know that I still have things to learn when out. Every new venue, every new band, every new show provides new opportunities and new challenges. I’ve shot at one venue probably 80% of the time and I have still yet to perfect the perfect shot there, be flexible and let the situation lead you to where it wants to go.
These were just seven easy steps to get the results that I have in a short period of time. Taking them into consideration the next time you are out may or may not work for you but they have worked for me. If you have anything to add feel free to leave a comment — it’d be great to get some new tips for the next time I’m out.
Possible Related Posts:
September 19th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
Very well done, Mr. Curt.
I must disagree with you, at least somewhat, regarding the use of a flash. I use it quite a bit, as you know, because the lighting at the Downbeat Lounge and Loplops is so low most of the time….and I don’t have the big fancy lens that you do.
I agree that just a straight shot with flash blows goats. But I usually have the camera set completely to manual, ISO @ 1600, f/3.5 (the lowest mine will go with this lens) and the shutter between 20 an 50 depending on how low the light is. Use of a flash with these settings results in a bright, not washed out subject with a clear but slightly subdued background with little, if any, shadow from the subject. It’s cool.
September 19th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
slackhopper, thanks for the comment, maybe you should check out step one
I bug. I’ve never tried your technique before, I usually shoot in AV mode and I realized that I forgot to add this in my steps. This way the camera sets it’s shutter speed for me. Also shoot with manual focus DO THIS, EVERYONE (if you can). Automatic focus in low light situations is asking for disaster.
I’ll try your technique the next time I’m out and see what happens. Maybe I can mix both techniques in.
September 20th, 2006 at 4:31 am
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
September 20th, 2006 at 8:16 am
I love photography! I like how you made your how to. Very easy to follow. Thanks for contributing to the Group Writing Project at ProBlogger.
My How To is up also.
September 20th, 2006 at 9:45 am
I really loved this article. Incredibly useful and timely for me because I have a non-paying gig in November to take pics of a local band competition. I’ve been searching for tips on those situations. Thanks for sharing your experience.
September 20th, 2006 at 11:22 am
Well done article. I jumped over from Problogger. I love photography, so I read it with a smile.
September 20th, 2006 at 11:55 am
Matt, B, Jersey Girl — thanks for stopping by and enjoying the article. Looking back I skipped some minor things here and there but covered them in my comment above.
B if you have any questions feel free to ask. There’s different techniques to use etc so try shooting some shots before the bands even get on stage to see what works for you.
Anyone else coming in and commenting I do have moderation turned on so it may be some time for your post to appear on the site — I can only check them every so often until tonight but I’ll try to approve/comment as quickly as possible.
September 21st, 2006 at 10:37 am
That’s so useful, I’m always snapping photos of the little guy in low light so I’m definitely going to save this for reference. Our how-to is up as well if you’d like to check it out!!
September 21st, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Any help/pointers/tips will help me with capturing “just the right image.” Thanks for that. I have Step 3 down - now I just need to find the time to wade through them all!
(Found you through the ProBlogger Writing Project)
September 21st, 2006 at 10:10 pm
MamaDuck and Northern Girl, I’m glad you found my post useful. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m trying to find the time to visit the other problogger submissions but time is tight and the numbers are overwhelming, I guess that’s what weekends are for.
September 22nd, 2006 at 1:37 am
Great article, I’ll link up to it from my blog once I get home.
I’ve also written a photography-related article for the Problogger group writing project: How To Take Great Photos Of Children. MamaDuck, you might like it too - you seem to like having fun with kids!
Catch you later.
September 22nd, 2006 at 6:47 pm
[...] As you may remember I just recently participated in ProBlogger’s latest group writing project featuring how-to articles. My post was Tips Revealed: My Low Light Light Photography Technique for anyone who missed and would like to give it a once over. [...]
September 22nd, 2006 at 6:50 pm
Hey Darren, thanks for the compliment. As you can probably tell by now I’ve linked your article in my follow post to the group writing project.
September 22nd, 2006 at 8:33 pm
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
September 23rd, 2006 at 2:03 am
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
September 23rd, 2006 at 8:55 am
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:04 am
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:53 pm
Thanks for the tips. Not much of a photographer but still useful nonetheless.
September 24th, 2006 at 12:49 am
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique - Great tips on shooting in low light. [...]
September 24th, 2006 at 1:23 am
May C, thanks for visiting, I’m glad you found my tips useful.
To everyone else for all the trackback links, thanks.
September 24th, 2006 at 3:38 am
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
September 25th, 2006 at 8:48 am
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
September 26th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
September 26th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
October 1st, 2006 at 12:59 am
[...] Tips Revealed: My Low Light Photography Technique by Curt [...]
November 28th, 2006 at 1:09 pm
Some great tips, especially number seven
I struggle with manual focus on the 20D though (viewfinder too dark, and my spectacles probably make matters even worse). That said, I also struggle with auto-focus in dark gigs. Either way it’s a trade-off. I usually shoot some on auto, if I can find a contrasting spot to focus on (the gleam on chrome fittings/saxophones is often invaluable for focusing what little light there is), then I shoot some on manual, stopping down the aperture a little to increase my chance of getting even close with the focus.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Just read your low light primer and wanted to add that flash does not kill the mood of a show. It is the improper use of flash that kills the mood of a room. I use a 580EX flash off camera for flash fill, when used correctly, greatly improves the photo by enhancing all available light in the scene. I admit that using a flash is FAR more difficult than not, but once you are able to use a flash effectively, you will wonder how you lived without one before! Good luck and happy shooting.
December 10th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Thanks for the comment An. This post is over a year old now and I’m starting to introduce flash into my work more and more.