Shoot Less and Get Out of the Way. Shooting Live Bar Music
June 23, 2015Protog Shoot Notes: The Music Next Door featuring The Soul Proprietors performing live at Backstage
Shooting at a small location has it’s challenges. Unlike my previous shoot with the live choir singing and the loud shutter on my A7R, the bar and loud music environment has other challenges.
Being up front where the band was, it would be impossible to shoot without blocking the view of the audience. On the plus side, I’m able to get right close, even stick a fisheye right in the front of the lead singer for a quick couple shots. Most importantly, being up close with a wide angle helps the viewers feel like they’re there in the front of the action.
There’s a fine balance that needs to be struck between the time I need to get up and close to the band to get the good shots … and the time I need to duck and get out of the way. Perfect photos at the cost of ruining part of the experience for the audience is something professional photographers dread.
I noticed some room for improvement in my shooting style in this crowded space. I think I’ll adjust my shooting style to wait for the more energetic songs or parts of songs and jump in, get the shot and disappear. And I have to play down my perfectionistic tendencies to overshoot to make sure I get the best shot.
Part of the experience of enjoying live music is seeing the musicians perform. So it’s a reminder to stay professional. Shoot less and then get out of the way.
The Soul Proprietors performed live at Backstage, an iconic music venue in Central, with a set list including four originals and various covers of the Beatles, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink-182 and Green Day. They are multi skilled musicians and their performances include the musicians using a variety of instruments. One memorable moment was Adrian O’Sullivan singing in Chinese - he’s the Irish guy with the red hair. Sadly, it was the last performance with Adrian as he’s leaving Hong Kong.
Soul Proprietors on Facebook
www.facebook.com/soulproshk
See the rest of the photos at Josh Takes Photos Facebook Album Here