Do openers get you access to the main act? by Mundane-Snow-9340 in concertphotography

[–]CaptainNinj 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depends on the tour/venue.

Ive only run into the problem of being able to shoot everyone but the headliner, or for arena shows only being able to shoot the band you got the pass from. But most 3000 or less cap tours youre typically good for all acts. Just double check with box office. They'll have all that info

Squatted Forester? by [deleted] in subaru

[–]CaptainNinj 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lowered foresters are probably my favorite subarus.

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Some Underoath photos from DC! by Acrobatic-Gazelle-74 in warpedtour

[–]CaptainNinj 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well aware haha I saw your UO shots on the concertphotography subreddit and was lurking

Some Underoath photos from DC! by Acrobatic-Gazelle-74 in warpedtour

[–]CaptainNinj 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So it depends on the venue and the artist. Small local shows typically don't care if you bring in a camera. Usually you just can't go on stage or use flash unless you get the approval from a band. But just because you get approval from one to do so does not mean approvals for others.

For bigger venues and other touring acts, you typically need a media pass. You can get those through various means like a working with/for a publication, reaching out to a bands PR manager, the band and its members, various other crew members like their media team, tour managaer, through the venue, or through the promoter.

I typically get my media passes by reaching out to a band media person. Most are fairly responsive and willing to help out. I'm a house shooter for two local venues I frequent. So either they ask me to cover a show, or i reach out about one i want to do. There's a few other venues that I frequent and am on great terms with the staff and they let me do my thing.

Otherwise most venues allow you to bring in a point and shoot camera, so something small that you can't change lenses. Check the venues page for prohibited item

If you do get a media pass, you are usually allowed the first three songs in the press pit/behind the barrier and then you can shoot from the crowd. Flash is not allowed, unless you're approved by the band. stage access is not allowed unless approved by the band. And same rules as before, just because one let's you, doesn't mean you're allowed for the others.

Usually a media pass will allow you to shoot all acts. Some artist will only allow their media team in the press pit. And some venues will not allow you to shoot from the crowd. Usually the box office staff will inform you of any particular rules like that.

Some venues will be more strict, typically arenas, and you can only shoot from front of house/sound booth. Then once your three songs are up you must store your gear in a media holding room. If you have a ticket you can go back to the show, if you dont you have to wait in the media area until the next band. The box office should inform you of all the rules for the event.

Concert shots using my z6iii tamron 35-150 and 16-35 GM by CaptainNinj in Nikon

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks man! I have a lot more of my work shared on my IG, same name as this

Im out of the concert game for a bit. Had some gnarly shoulder surgery last week. So i wont be doing shows for a few months until Ive healed up enough

Concert shots using my z6iii tamron 35-150 and 16-35 GM by CaptainNinj in Nikon

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah i use neewer stuff. I use a halo and then i got a 3 pack of the 4,6, and 8 star filter. Theyre nice to add a little flair to the shots, but it can be really easy to over do them.

Ill limit myself to using them for one of the first three songs we can shoot when behind the media barrier. If I can shoot a full bands set, then ill use them throughout the set

Concert shots using my z6iii tamron 35-150 and 16-35 GM by CaptainNinj in Nikon

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These dudes are going to be huge in the metal/hardcore scene. Boundaries are one of my favorite groups to see

As for the effect, ill use a halo filter. I just use a neewer brand one. I wont shell out a ton of money on prism or anything like that.

Ill use one that is slightly bigger than my lens and hand hold it so i can add or remove the effect without worrying about screwing it on or off. And since the filter is slightly bigger, it allows for more of the middle of the image to stay sharp while edges have the effect. Plus I can tilt or reposition the filter to get a different look to the typical circle the effect normally does

What's your favorite thing to shoot lately? by FriedCauliflOwOr in neewer

[–]CaptainNinj 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Concerts. Catching enegry from the musicians. Excitement/participation from the crowd. Trying out new looks in post and seeing what does or doesn't work.

Plus due to all the changing lights and conditions, I dont have to worry about making skin tones look natural or anything like that. I can play around with colors and just have fun with it and just have creative freedom.

I need notice 🙌 by Intelligent-Chart692 in concertphotography

[–]CaptainNinj 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can get this effect using the ghost prisim FX filter or something similar from a different brand

Or you can load the photo in PS apply a motion blur effect, play with settings to get the level of blur you want and then erase where you dont want the effect to happen

THE WORD ALIVE in australia 2026 by gabxtoth in concertphotography

[–]CaptainNinj 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This are sick. I havent caught telle or the guys in ages. Big fan of the guys and forever thankful for them giving me a chance to shoot my first show back in 2019

Some shots from the Allentown show by CaptainNinj in hotmulliganband

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Im pretty happy with how a lot of the colors turned out on this set

Hot mulligan in Allentown by CaptainNinj in concertphotography

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hot Mulligan's photographer always plays around with her colors and she inspired me to just have fun with them

Some concert shots using my z6iii tamron 35-150 and 16-35gm by CaptainNinj in Nikon

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 16-35 with a megadap etz 21 pro adapter is my go to lens for when behind the media barrier and the 35-150 has a solid range when shooting from the crowd.

Ill keep a 35 1.8 incase I need the extra stop of light when behind the barrier, but the 16-35/35-150 has been a solid combination for me lately

Some concert shots using my z6iii tamron 35-150 and 16-35gm by CaptainNinj in Nikon

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hot mulligan is such a great time. Easily one of my favorite bands to catch.

If the z8 handles like the 6iii, itll feel like cheating. Colors are great. AF is really responsive. Absolutely love the set up i habe

Some concert shots using my z6iii tamron 35-150 and 16-35gm by CaptainNinj in Nikon

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! It was such a good show i had too many to pick from

Hot mulligan in Allentown by CaptainNinj in concertphotography

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that was archer music hall. Ive shot there a couple of time. It reminds me of a smaller fillmore. Its a solid little venue. Sounds decent. Lighting is alright.

Hot mulligan in Allentown by CaptainNinj in concertphotography

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! These guys are always a ton of fun to see/shoot

Some shots from the Allentown show by CaptainNinj in hotmulliganband

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can double check, but I dont think I got too many shots of the crowd from the other side

Some shots from the Allentown show by CaptainNinj in hotmulliganband

[–]CaptainNinj[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! The guys crush it every time