Difference between revisions of "Photography for Concerts and Events"
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#There is an event that is being '''hosted or sponsored by KDHX''' that we would like to have covered for publicity, member education and entertainment. | #There is an event that is being '''hosted or sponsored by KDHX''' that we would like to have covered for publicity, member education and entertainment. | ||
#:'''Note''' - We ask that '''each participating photographer cover a couple of these events each year''', as they are a benefit to the station in our efforts to obtain more volunteers, members and donations. | #:'''Note''' - We ask that '''each participating photographer cover a couple of these events each year''', as they are a benefit to the station in our efforts to obtain more volunteers, members and donations. | ||
| − | # Tickets and photo passes are offered by a label or radio promoter | + | # Tickets and photo passes are offered by a label or radio promoter or the Music Director asks about listing a photographer with +1 and photo pass. These offers often come from publicity cos. who represent the supporting acts for these tours. You should always expect to cover all bands on the bill. As a courtesy, please make note to get sufficient coverage of the supporting act, since they are essentially your host for the evening. |
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==Guidelines for shooting photos== | ==Guidelines for shooting photos== | ||
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==Venue tips== | ==Venue tips== | ||
| − | KDHX volunteer photographers shoot in all sizes of venues, from tiny clubs like | + | KDHX volunteer photographers shoot in all sizes of venues, from tiny clubs like Squaters Cafe and the Focal Point, up to the cavernous spaces of the Fox Theatre and the Scottrade Center. The artists and bands who are featured may be local, regional or a national act. |
Some venues are very relaxed about their photo policy, while others are very strict and have many rules for photographers. Those with the strictest policies will be detailed below. | Some venues are very relaxed about their photo policy, while others are very strict and have many rules for photographers. Those with the strictest policies will be detailed below. | ||
Revision as of 20:43, 15 February 2018
Contents
Overview
Photography volunteers will work with the photography editor to produce and curate photographic content for KDHX.org. Assignments will include live musical performances, KDHX events, festivals, photo essays and more.
This page discusses the photographer's workflow when covering and delivering an assignment.
Please feel free to check out the KDHX photography archives: flickr.com/photos/881kdhx/albums.
Requests to shoot concerts, festivals and events
Photographers may submit an email to photography at kdhx.org with requests to cover specific shows.
Please include:
- the date of the show
- the name of the headlining band or artist
- the venue name
- copy of press release, if you have one (optional)
Approvals from the photo editor will be confirmed via email. Groups with large followings often receive multiple requests. All interested parties are noted and an assignment will be made during the month prior to the event date. 99% of all assignment decisions are based on a "first come, first served" principle, so early requests are recommended.
Approximately 7-10 days prior to a concert, an email request is sent to ask for tickets and a photo pass for the photographer. Often this request is sent to the artists' publicist, however there are several venues and/or producers in town that require that all requests are filtered through them.
Credentials will vary based on the show and producer of the event. We always request a spot on the guest list for the photographer, with a "+1" for a friend, and a photo pass. Different variations may result; i.e., photo pass and one ticket for photographer, photo pass only, etc.
Actual confirmation of tickets and/or photo passes is often obtained within a few days of the event. We are not always able to guarantee that we will be able to obtain entrance, but we will try our best.
Calls for Photographers
Calls for photographers will be issued periodically, which could mean one of two things:
- There is an event that is being hosted or sponsored by KDHX that we would like to have covered for publicity, member education and entertainment.
- Note - We ask that each participating photographer cover a couple of these events each year, as they are a benefit to the station in our efforts to obtain more volunteers, members and donations.
- Tickets and photo passes are offered by a label or radio promoter or the Music Director asks about listing a photographer with +1 and photo pass. These offers often come from publicity cos. who represent the supporting acts for these tours. You should always expect to cover all bands on the bill. As a courtesy, please make note to get sufficient coverage of the supporting act, since they are essentially your host for the evening.
Guidelines for shooting photos
KDHX takes great pride in the photographs that we publish at KDHX.org and, while scheduling hundreds of these events each year, is selective about the photos that are chosen and used in publication.
Although photographers are encouraged to be creative and to incorporate their own style, there are a few rules of thumb to take into consideration.
- Shoot with good, lens-removable type digital cameras. No point and shoots or cell phones.
- Do not use heavy filtering on the photos, i.e., shrink-wrapped, antiquing, postarization, etc.
- It is ok to change photos into black and white, crop them, perform color/light balance and corrections, etc.
- All rules of good composition and lighting apply.
- No watermarks, personal or station related.
- Avoid giving away free advertising; i.e., Starbucks cups, soda cans, etc.
- Note: Musical equipment is exempt and t-shirts almost impossible to avoid, but be mindful where you can.
Venue tips
KDHX volunteer photographers shoot in all sizes of venues, from tiny clubs like Squaters Cafe and the Focal Point, up to the cavernous spaces of the Fox Theatre and the Scottrade Center. The artists and bands who are featured may be local, regional or a national act.
Some venues are very relaxed about their photo policy, while others are very strict and have many rules for photographers. Those with the strictest policies will be detailed below.
Credential confirmation
There are several venues and/or producers in town that require that all requests go through them. Those exceptions are:
- - Pageant and Pagan Productions (inc. Duck Room at Blueberry Hill, Delmar Hall)
- - The Sheldon
- - Scottrade / Peabody
- - Live Nation
- - Fox Theater
- - The Touhill
- - New Music Circle
Requests for festivals are usually sent several months in advance and are submitted through a fill-in form on the festival website.
Confirmation response from publicists is often received within a few days. Venues often wait until a few days before the event to issue these credentials, however the Pageant may advise as late as 5 p.m. the day of the event.
As soon as confirmation is received, you will receive an email notification from the photo editor, confirming that you have been granted credentials. Please reply and advise that you have received confirmation. Also, print the email and take it to the show with you, as it may help clear up any potential miscommunications on the night of the show.
Ticketing and Credentials
If there is a box office at the venue, you can usually pick up your photo pass there. Other venues will use a guest list, several guest lists as a matter of fact, so make sure that they check the appropriate one. Have your photo ID ready, as it may be required to receive your photo-pass. Any other scenarios will likely be detailed in your confirmation email.
You will also be issued a KDHX photographer badge. Please wear this badge whenever you are on assignment for KDHX. If you should lose your badge, please contact the photo editor right away.
Photo Release Forms
- If a band requires you to sign a photo release before shooting and you do not agree to its terms, then you should walk away and not go through with the shoot. Walking away is perfectly fine. You are not obligated to sign a release that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- If you do sign a release, please make sure that KDHX receives a copy. The easiest way to do this is to take a clear, well-lit photo of the release with your phone. If you receive a release prior to the day of the show, then email a copy to photography at kdhx.org.
Shooting the show
Again, rules for shooting will vary from venue to venue. Some will allow you freedom to roam and shoot at your leisure, while others may restrict you to a designated area and/or shooting just a few songs of each act or set. Please follow all rules or requests made by the venue while you are acting as a KDHX representative.
Be respectful to your fellow photographers and of the audience around you at all times. This is not just for their benefit, but also for the safety of your equipment! Try not to shoot the entire show from the same spot and give others a chance to shoot from your location. DO NOT use a flash while shooting.
Lighting
The lighting for shows at larger venues is usually very good, while smaller venues like the Firebird may have very limited lighting options; i.e., all red floods. Be prepared for the possibility of any low level lighting condition, as well as dramatic changes in the color and lighting throughout the performance.
If shooting at a venue with an overabundance of red lights, consider changing your photos into black and white in order to gain better control over the brightness and contrast of the scene.
Lens Suggestions
Lenses that are most suitable for shooting concerts include all types of lenses; from wide angle lenses to your favorite telephoto lens. If you have more than one lens, we recommend taking a couple for obtaining the best range of images. Be advised that many clubs will require an f/1.4 lens in order to capture an acceptable image. Low light is the biggest issue that you will encounter as a concert photographer.
Venue idiosyncrasies
Pageant and Pagan Productions
- Assignment Confirmation - Gaining access to these shows has become very difficult. For the most part, shows that are performed at the Pageant or produced by Pagan Productions will not yield entrance. There are often exceptions to this rule, so you may submit requests for shows at this venue. We will make every attempt to gain access.
The Sheldon
- Assignment Confirmation - A few days prior to the concert.
- Obtaining Press Passes - Usually asked to meet a Sheldon representative at a designated place and time who will escort you into the hall.
- Shooting the Show - You may only shoot from the back of the hall, so take an appropriate lens with you. First three songs of each band, act or possibly set. DO NOT shoot from outside of the designated area or time-frame.
The Ready Room
- Assignment Confirmation - varied as credentials are obtained from band's publicist in most cases.
- Obtaining Press Passes - entrance is usually granted via a guest list.
- Shooting the Show - for reasons unknown, the Ready Room at times will restrict you to shooting only the band that has provided credentials. In other words, if the credentials are obtained from the opening band you may not be allowed to shoot the headliner, and vice versa. The Photography Editor will try to find out the terms when obtaining credentials, however the policy seems to be that of the venue and not the bands or publicists.
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
- Assignment Confirmation - usually within 2-3 days of the show from Live Nation.
- Obtaining Press Passes - entrance is sometimes granted through the employee's gate. Live Nation advises that they do not provide tickets or +1's for their events, only press passes.
- Shooting the Show - most shows limit you to shooting the first three songs of each act. The venue provides a Green Room for the press which is air conditioned, has free beer and water and also has televisions showing the concert.
Submitting photos and article
Within 48 hours of the event please deliver your photos to the photography editor. Our goal is to publish the article within two days of an event.
Photo delivery
Choose the photos you would like to submit, zip them into a compressed file and deliver the link to the photographer editor. This can be done with whatever file transfer system you prefer, the link can be provided by email.
The standard number of photos expected are at least 12, more are preferred. If there are multiple bands on the bill, attempt to deliver at least six good photos of each band. There should be more photos of the headliner than of the other acts. When in doubt, send more and leave the editing to the photography editor.
Please clearly label all of the photos with the name of the band shown in the photos, i.e., BruiserQueen01
Publishing
When your photos are received, the photography editor will go to work editing photos and publishing. All of our photos are uploaded and housed on Flickr.
As soon as the photos are published, you will receive notification from the photography editor containing a link for the Flickr gallery.
A link to the photos is then posted on the KDHX Twitter account, as well as on the Twitter pages of the participating bands. The same is done on our Facebook page. Our Twitter account has 18,000 followers and our Facebook account has 28,000 followers.
