View Full Version : shooting a concert in low light


Chris Trainor
October 9th, 2004, 12:37 PM
as i get my feet wetter, i am needing some advice.

most of the shots i have ever used witht ths xl1s have been tripod mounted interviews with plenty of lights.

tonight i am going to shoot a concert in a dark club.

any suggestions on particular settings to get the best results?

thanks!

/xl1s newb

Giroud Francois
October 9th, 2004, 01:11 PM
depends the stage, but usually there is lots of light on scene.
the problem is it is very unenvenly distributed, and at worst it blinks or changes color.
for wide view , it cause most of the scene to be dark while some parts will be overexposed (reflection on metallic instrument, top of head burned, white cloth burned).
you need to work in manual mode for iris, use close view as much as possible and forget about white balance (corrected in post).
the worse is red lights that looks ok to the eyes but is terrible on video (all the picture become red with a neon glow effect).
a 20-30w light on camera could help, if it doesn't disturb the musicians.
stay as close to the scene as possible.

Chris Trainor
October 9th, 2004, 03:55 PM
dont think i can use a light on stage, and this isnt really a concert as much as a dingy club.

but i am gonna be shooting there often, so i am gonna need to start getting better educated with the low light stuff.

Karl Heiner
October 14th, 2004, 10:58 AM
hello chris,

please post your expirience, i also will video tape a rock band in a local bar under low light condition.
since i have my new canon xl1-s only for about 3 weeks i could need all info available.

thanks
karl

Wayne Orr
October 14th, 2004, 05:58 PM
Rehearsal?

Chris Hurd
October 14th, 2004, 06:11 PM
I second that motion, Wayne.

If there's no rehearsal, at least get in there for the sound check.