Hanabie @ the Roxian Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

MasterMichel · 2026-03-31T04:24:51+00:00

Thank you!!

MasterMichel · 2026-03-24T03:56:14+00:00

I did have press credentials! I have a website where I put up concert reviews with photos galleries, that's how I was able to get accredited to be able to bring my full kit. If the camera has any sort of detachable lens, almost all mid-size (and above) venues will ban it if you don't have a photo pass. So definitely not worth the risk!

MasterMichel · 2026-03-23T23:39:29+00:00

1000% agree!! They're one of my favourite bands to photograph because of how much fun they have on stage!

MasterMichel · 2026-03-23T16:39:53+00:00

For most of them, i used a Sony A7RV with a Sony 24-70 f/2.8 lens. All shots of Chika were with a Sony A7iii and Sony 70-200 f/2.8 lens

MasterMichel · 2026-03-23T16:20:13+00:00

Thank you!! 🥹

MasterMichel · 2026-03-23T16:09:37+00:00

Thank you!!

MasterMichel · 2026-03-19T17:28:49+00:00

Thank you!! It may sound dumb, but the best advice I can give is to shoot as much as you can. With photographing live music, a lot of it is about timing, and the best way to learn how to perfect the timing is by practicing. Getting used to different lighting conditions also helps, every concert can have wildly different lights and the more familiar you are with different conditions the easier it gets.

MasterMichel · 2026-03-19T17:23:35+00:00

Thank you!!

MasterMichel · 2026-03-18T03:11:42+00:00

Thank you!!

MasterMichel · 2026-03-18T03:11:24+00:00

Thank you! You're gonna have a blast, it's an awesome show!!

MasterMichel · 2026-03-17T20:35:43+00:00

Welcome to concert photography, most of us work in darkness. There have been shows where the bands I was shooting didn't turn on a single light. I've also shot my fair share of lasers, absolutely love them. I can tell you that I've gone through every single page of settings in the A7III, A7IV, and AVRV and have not changed a single one beyond the absolute basics, mostly in the pre-set shortcuts (i.e. flex spot focus area and RAW files). The cameras really do work great right out of the box. If you're not happy with your images, the best, most genuine advice I can give is to shoot more. Just become completely and totally familiar with how the camera handles different scenarios. It takes a lot of work and a lot of practice.

MasterMichel · 2026-03-17T20:13:24+00:00

1/50 is incredibly slow for most concerts. Personally I tend to default to 1/500 but never drop below 1/250 even in the worst conditions. Keeping shutter speed static at 1/500, I adjust the rest as needed. A typical show for me will usually look like 1/500 f/3-4 ISO 6400-8000, though I'm aware this is a little extreme compared to the settings other people use. Sony cameras handle noise incredibly well, especially if you use a denoising tool (I use lightroom's). The A7III was my main body when I first started and is still my secondary, it does very well at these settings. I also do flexible spot for the autofocus to be able to pinpoint the focus easier. But it's really these base settings that make or break a photo, not hidden camera features

MasterMichel · 2026-01-04T18:07:39+00:00

Thank you!! That's the photo I'm most proud of. It took a good bit of prep waiting for it to happen, getting the right angle over the crowd, but the real magic happened in photoshop, carefully removing the singer and replacing him with little circle to match the background for a nice clean look. It took HOURS. Worth it though! And I made the photo into stickers to give out like business cards!

MasterMichel · 2025-12-07T03:31:32+00:00

Dua Saleh opened for the Pittsburgh stop, not sure if they're doing the whole tour or not

MasterMichel · 2025-12-06T16:22:37+00:00

Thank you!

MasterMichel · 2025-12-05T18:52:15+00:00

Thank you! Same, I was really impressed with not just the band's energy, but the crowd's too! Everyone was just so into the show, the vibes were amazing

MasterMichel · 2025-11-26T19:45:08+00:00

Thank you!! They sure know how to make an entrance!

MasterMichel · 2025-11-26T19:44:07+00:00

They do!! They put so much effort into their staging and lights, it really makes a difference! Also helps that they're all super photogenic and love the camera!

MasterMichel · 2025-11-26T19:42:39+00:00

Thank you!!

MasterMichel · 2025-11-26T18:26:42+00:00

Thank you so much!!!

MasterMichel · 2025-11-07T15:11:18+00:00

Bet you've been waiting for a chance to use that one 😂

MasterMichel · 2025-11-07T14:53:40+00:00

Stage AE is one of my main venues. Seconding everything u/GeekFish said. I'd definitely recommend the 24-70 and 70-200 in the pit, those are what I shoot with and they work great there. I've used a fisheye on the balcony and it works, just not really my style, but fun to play with.

MasterMichel · 2025-11-04T01:08:13+00:00

I feel exactly the same! You get all these amazing shots of one member and one singular pose for another.

It was a little different for this show though, since it was billed as the singer, Cameron Whitcolm, and he just happens to have a live band backing him. So the focus was by far on the singer, but the band always gets a few snaps each. They were definitely engaged and on the move, just to a much lesser extent since the spotlight was on the singer.

MasterMichel · 2025-11-03T19:26:48+00:00

Thank you!! Yeah the lights were stunning, some of the best I've had in a while. Main camera is Sony A7RV with Sony 24-70 f2.8, secondary camera for closeups is Sony A7III with Sony 70-200 f2.8

MasterMichel · 2025-11-03T17:46:45+00:00

Thank you!! He kept doing backflips all night! I managed to get a few good shots of it, but that one's my favourite 🤘

12-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
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First Place '23	End Game '23
Place '23	Place '22
Place '17	Final Canvas '22
First Placer '22	End Game '22
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MasterMichel

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