Upcoming Gig

benjo · 30 Dec 2010 at 03:12

Hey folks

Been asked to do some shots for a gig in Plymouth, a dubstep artist called Cookie Monsta (!). Quite a big artist in this genre of music, so I want to do it right!

The only lenses I have at the moment are the 18-55 IS and 50mm 1.8 so I'm thinking of hiring the Canon 15mm 2.8 fisheye. I only need it for one day, but lensesforhire.co.uk seem a bit expensive.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what lens to use, and a cheaper way of hiring one? (poor student)

edit:

In my drunken state, I've found a local company that hire out lenses in Plymouth so I've managed to get the 15mm Fisheye for £15 for 3 days, local pickup.

Wish me luck, Huge gig for me

Mr Jones · 30 Dec 2010 at 08:40

Cool dude, good one on getting a gig opportunity. I assume you've got a cropped body? If so, the 15mm would not have been my lens of choice as it'll be 24mm with wider field of view/circular distortion.

Depending on your style and distance to cookie, the wider angle may only serve to distract from the subject. I found 30-40mm and 85mm lenses to be brilliant when i did Biffy earlier this month. Always thought wide to be cols for it, never felt the need to use less than 18mm.

Have you done it before? If wide is your thing, then stick with the familiar

benjo · 30 Dec 2010 at 09:39

I did wonder about it on my cropped body, 30d.

I've not done club photography, I'm not even sure how much space I'll have at the venue.

Wanted a fisheye for the typical dj booth photos you see, but I guess I wont get that with 24mm now

I considered my choices and figured the 15mm 2.8 would be better for wider shots at the venue, my 18-55 wouldn't be great in low light. I think I'll end up taking my 50mm and the 15mm and hope for the best. I won't be back far enough to use anything over 50mm I don't think.

Would it be worth changing my order to the 8mm 3.5 Sigma?

Mr Jones · 30 Dec 2010 at 10:20

I'm not saying 24mm isn't good enough for a wide, just more distortion than what it's worth compared to other UWA. Can't comment on the sigma wider but your idea of wide mixed with the nifty isn't a bad idea if you are quick at lens changing. Word of warning, the nifty tends to hunt at low light, use a flashgun for focus assist if possible.

Photogirl · 30 Dec 2010 at 11:51

you will need to bounce flash off the ceiling and maybe use a slow shutter speed of 8ish to allow some of the lighting from the club through in the shot if i were you id maybe practise if theres a dj on before the one your shooting.

benjo · 23 Jan 2011 at 20:02

Did the gig last night.. Was such a good night, insane music! Here's a select shots

Managed to borrow an external flash.

Pretty pleased with them for my first try. Even better is that the promotor is paying me because he's so happy with them

Whole set is here if anyone wants to look http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29994&id=177574528944534&fbid=177652788936708

Derek W · 23 Jan 2011 at 20:16

nice work there. did the flash not bother the guys behind the decks much?

benjo · 23 Jan 2011 at 20:17

Derek W said:
nice work there. did the flash not bother the guys behind the decks much?

Nah, they had a strobe light going anyway so they probably didn't notice.

I'm mates with most of them and they said make yourself at home behind the decks so it worked out quite well

Derek W · 23 Jan 2011 at 20:25

benjo said:
I'm mates with most of them and they said make yourself at home behind the decks so it worked out quite well

I guess that helps in these situations then

Schizophonic · 23 Jan 2011 at 20:33

Some good shots you did there. Have you looked at other gig photography to 'borrow' any ideas just in case next time you asked to do more shots?

benjo · 23 Jan 2011 at 20:34

Schizophonic said:
Some good shots you did there. Have you looked at other gig photography to 'borrow' any ideas just in case next time you asked to do more shots?

They've already asked me to shoot the next gig in there, and that's in March.

I'm going to look for some more ideas, and use some more lenses I think

Flare · 23 Jan 2011 at 21:25

Nice shots benjo

TBH i was wondering how you afforded that lens being a student but i see you rented it, I think I will try renting some gear and see how I get on. The ckub i always go to has had a lot of good DJ's like Fresh, Borgore etc. so it would be quite good to start doing nights there more often

benjo · 23 Jan 2011 at 21:27

Flare said:
Nice shots benjo
TBH i was wondering how you afforded that lens being a student but i see you rented it, I think I will try renting some gear and see how I get on. The ckub i always go to has had a lot of good DJ's like Fresh, Borgore etc. so it would be quite good to start doing nights there more often

Yeh forgot to say I rented

Was only £17 for three days, and I'm being payed for the shoot so it covers the costs. The place I hired from is based in Plymouth too, so local pickup

Gonna hire more stuff for next time..

You should definitely get into gig photography. From my little experience, it's more about who you know than what you know

Flare · 23 Jan 2011 at 21:34

benjo said:
Yeh forgot to say I rented Was only £17 for three days, and I'm being payed for the shoot so it covers the costs. The place I hired from is based in Plymouth too, so local pickup Gonna hire more stuff for next time..

You should definitely get into gig photography. From my little experience, it's more about who you know than what you know

Haha. I really hadn't though of renting gear before now but if you can get such good gear for so cheap and get paid for it then ???? PROFIT

Out of interest who else was on the line up? I've just had a brilliant thought, one of my friends nows the organiser for a good club in Preston and he was saying that the photographer has broke her camera so they don't have one....Annie Mac is playing soon

Luckily i know quite a few people around Manchester so i might send a few messages out and see what i get back.

benjo · 23 Jan 2011 at 22:03

Flare said:
Haha. I really hadn't though of renting gear before now but if you can get such good gear for so cheap and get paid for it then ???? PROFIT

Out of interest who else was on the line up?

Cookie was the main act, and Small Time Krooks were supporting. STK's are my mates, theres about 6 of them that play DnB and Dubstep in and around Plymouth

Pretty new, but they're getting their name out there quickly.. especially with their first proper event being Cookie Monsta. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-Time-Krooks/177574528944534?ref=ts

Flare · 23 Jan 2011 at 22:11

Awesome, i'll definately check them out. Seeing a load of DJ's playing at once is always amazing, I take it you've heard of Dirtyphonics?
Mind if i add you on FB?

benjo · 23 Jan 2011 at 22:12

Go for it

Flare · 23 Jan 2011 at 22:22

Done. I have some gig pictures up but they are the one's where i was way too drunk to take pictures plus i was using the onboard flash and kit lens.

benjo · 24 Jan 2011 at 19:10

Just been speaking to the artists and they're making me part of the team. Paying me £100 a set

This couldnt have gone much better, well chuffed

Schizophonic · 24 Jan 2011 at 20:08

benjo said:
Just been speaking to the artists and they're making me part of the team. Paying me £100 a set This couldnt have gone much better, well chuffed

Thats good news. As this in your first outing keep on working hard and experimenting with those shots. Dont get caught up in the cycle that you need expensive kit to get the best result. Work on your technique, find what you like and what does work. Look at other gig photography to see what they do and try to adapt their style. You never know if you keep branding your name out there with these guys, maybe someone even bigger might see your photos and could offer you even more money!