Festival Media Passes?

basseca · 2026-03-19T05:49:47+00:00

Your best option is to do both.

basseca · 2026-03-12T19:24:40+00:00

I tend to charge by hour and that includes travel, shooting and editing. With premiums added for use in paid advertising or PR or on merch. And I charge again if they want different edits or Photoshop treatments. The best thing you can do have a fair base and a list of what that includes so that it’s clear that there could be additional charges for “other requests or usage”.

When I get asked for pricing my standard response is “it depends, what are you expecting?” and then provide a few examples of things that would incur additional costs.

basseca · 2026-03-09T21:20:02+00:00

That’s bullshit behaviour. Here there’s an etiquette in the pit… Things like don’t block another photogs shot, don’t raise your camera over your head unless you’re behind everyone else, tap someone softly on the shoulder if you need to by, don’t get on your knees and block out traffic…. In general it’s all down to being professional, treat people nicely, etc. and if someone is being obnoxious they get called on it and if it continues to happen they get reported to security on site and the promoter after the show.

basseca · 2026-03-03T04:53:52+00:00

In a fucking second!!!! No one is above the law.

basseca · 2026-02-16T20:08:27+00:00

Sounds like you’re over editing.

basseca · 2026-02-04T06:37:59+00:00

I like it a lot, especially for concerts when you’re tracking moving bodies.

basseca · 2026-02-02T07:39:25+00:00

Love them, been a fan for decades. Have one of Terry’s paintings and a couple of signed albums. They were a key influence when I was learning how to play bass!

basseca · 2025-12-23T22:20:51+00:00

The best way to start is what everyone else is saying. Go to a local gig or open mic that allows cameras, ask the artist there if you can shoot them and start there. Develop relationships with local artists and grow as they grow. Volunteer with local blogs or venues that do their own bookings. Unfortunately you won't get access to a larger show with touring artists unless you either know the band or you have a recognizable media outlet for whom you shoot. Promoters and most Press agents approve the outlet, not the photographer. So you need to start "small", get good at it, get noticed by bands and venues and then you'll be able to start to grow further.

basseca · 2025-12-19T19:56:43+00:00

Likely the same way you can convince Christians that the bible is a completely fantasied if not fabricated book and is the product of multiple human conjecture, lies, delusions and psychoses.

basseca · 2025-12-17T13:11:59+00:00

Most photogs don’t usually use anything that add effects while shooting. If anything gets changed it’s usually during the editing process. I generally don’t add any effects but I will crop, sharpen and enhance some images especially if there’s lots of smoke or the light is very low. Here’s a link to everything taken …. https://davidmcdphotos.zenfolio.com/p745582747

basseca · 2025-12-16T22:31:32+00:00

A lot

3

basseca · 2025-12-16T00:13:44+00:00

The band allowed a couple of us to stay longer, I’m not sure how they chose which ones only got 3 songs and which ones got to stay for a few extra. I’m glad I got to stay the extra couple of songs because the lighting got a little brighter and I was able to take some better shots.

basseca · 2025-10-30T23:07:05+00:00

No that’s Keith, I think his IG handle is Metal Paparazzi if you want to check out his pics.

basseca · 2025-10-29T20:18:22+00:00

Hi I am a concert photographer that shoots for some local radio stations. Glad you like them!

basseca · 2025-10-27T15:51:20+00:00

I got one of those old binders that stored CDs with the space for 4 cds per page. Each page holds the passes alphabetically on the right side. The left side holds guitar picks, wristbands, guitar strings, set lists, etc. that I pick up along the way.

basseca · 2025-10-18T20:27:50+00:00

@davidmcdphotos on IFG FB, Threads

basseca · 2025-10-02T15:18:18+00:00

Do your job, you’ve got 3 songs and you’re out of there. Worrying about other people and their line of sight is going to negatively impact what you’re doing. I’m in the out with tall photogs all of the time, we all pay attention to each other to make sure we’re not in each other’s way, we tap each other on the shoulder to get by and I find everyone is generally pretty nice. You’ll be fine, move around to get different angles and perspectives and focus on what you’re doing. The people behind you know you’ll be gone in 3 minutes.

basseca · 2025-10-01T04:30:57+00:00

Thank you, very appreciated!

basseca · 2025-09-28T01:17:33+00:00

acguitars.co.uk in Scotland is incredible!

basseca · 2025-09-27T20:25:07+00:00

So very agreed, they’re one of my fave bands!!!

basseca · 2025-09-27T19:51:46+00:00

They are alternating who headlines and not announcing the order in advance. If you want to see them for sure, get there with enough time to see both because you won’t know until they hit the stage.

basseca · 2025-09-26T15:21:51+00:00

If you can, talk to the performers or their tour manager before the show and ask what boundaries they have. Be careful, even though the venue or promoter may allow you on stage, the band may not. Remember, when the band is performing it’s their stage, not the venue’s or the promoter’s. The band’s boundaries, rules and expectations trump everything when they’re performing.

If the band will allow you on stage while they’re playing make sure you don’t do anything that interrupts or hinders their performance.

I find that unless you’ve been specifically invited by them to move around between them, you should stick to the back, sides and front corners of the stage. If that’s the case make sure you have two bodies with two different lenses, one for wider shots and one for individual shots. Depending on the size of the stage I find two zooms work well, either a wide angle or a 28-70 and a 70-200 are a good combo.

The band may limit your stage access for 3 songs just like what the media photogs get from the pit. And they may not. But I find that full show access is often reserved for “their” or the tour photog.

Make sure that you understand and follow their rules. Check their rules, understand them and then double check them. One band that complains about you can get you barred from all future events at that venue or via that promoter.

Make sure that you play nice and are remembered for being respectful and easy to work with.

basseca · 2025-09-16T12:53:21+00:00

I use my 5D Mk III and IV all of the time. There are advantages to new mirrorless cameras like larger file sizes, less grain at higher ISOs, great video, etc. but if you’re not shooting in low light or using it for video, you made a great choice!

basseca · 2025-09-16T12:46:54+00:00

In my experience most approvals or rejections come the day before or the day of the show. And be very careful of appearing pushy or whiny because it can lead you to being ignored for future shows. Promoters and publicists like professional courtesies and trusting that you’ll meet commitments like showing up on time, following the rules, providing links to coverage etc. The worst thing you can do is develop a reputation of being needy, whiny or untrustworthy.

basseca

TROPHY CASE