First attempt at festival photography

Not in the same league as cabstar's shots, but I had a good time, and reckon I did a better job than most of the people waving mobile phones all over the place.
Things I learnt:
1. People get in the way a lot.
2. Stage equipment/mics get in the way a lot.
3. Lighting can be all over the show.

All shot with 55-300mm wide open mostly at 300mm. In hindsight, I may have been better off taking my 70-200mm f/2.8

Newton Faulkner






Seth Lakeman






The Levellers












Festivals are also great for people watching, of which I need to spend more time on.

Bubble girl

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Pentax K-3, Pentax K-5.
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6, Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8
Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR, Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8
Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA 50mm f/1.8, Pentax D-FA 100MM f/2.8 Macro WR, Pentax DA*300mm f/4.0

I like them first shot I really like the composition. The levellers first shot is the weakest of the set technically it's fine it's just nothing moment I would have left that out.

Most guitarist are right handed so always try to stand left of the stage to get a good shot of the guitar. If you are on the right hand side of the stage shoot in portrait mode as the guitar is narrower so suits the portrait mode better. Hope that helps your next shoot


But well done, shooting from the crowd is always difficult, if I know I'm shooting from the crowd I take one of those little plastic steps to stand on.

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PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography

Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released

Thanks for the advice cabstar Unfortunately, The left hand side was far to busy with people to get shots from. I was stood behind the wheelchair section, which at least gave me some clear space to the stage.

All wider shots ended up like this:



Pretty unavoidable when stood in the crowd.

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Pentax K-3, Pentax K-5.
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6, Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8
Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR, Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8
Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA 50mm f/1.8, Pentax D-FA 100MM f/2.8 Macro WR, Pentax DA*300mm f/4.0

I shot this from the back of Leeds arena a show I attended as a punter




I stood to the left of the soundboard, by being further back reduces the clutter a little too. It's not the best of shots. It shows what can be done from the crowd

Here's a shot from the right hand side of the stage showing how much difference portrait mode makes

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PPG Wedding photography Flickr
Concert photography

Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released