I like both flash and no flash. I've heard from the shooters that "it bother's the performers..." Ya gotta be kidding? I don't use on-camera flash. With all the stage lighting, strobes from the show, the freakin' big noise, pot smoking, booze guzzlin', screaming adoring fans, and the perfomers leaping around like primitive man in the movie '2001: A Space Odyssey'... flash... distracts the performers? What a prima donna attitude! You'd think they were muzzle flashes from AK-47s! Incoming! Take cover! No... take a powder divas and rock stars... I'm not there for them, they are there for us! We. Pay. Them.
Now, if not used well, I believe flash can destroy the dynamics of the photographic moment. Learn how to use the little light bazookas, and you'll have a whole new photographic universe appear to your open mind. And, I prefer to shoot without flash. But, gelled flash, dialed down, and some well-timed rear-sync shots (yes, it's slow...) can show give some absolutely fantastic shots with great feeling and emotional energy. Who wants to only see frozen performers that are "stuck" in position like some bad episode from an old Sci-Fi Channel TV show? Besides, some of my more interesting and great shots are "happy mistakes."
In rock photography, I don't see any reason to follow the "unwritten rules." Photoshop the hell out of them if you feel so inclined! Get Topaz Labs Adjust, because it's great for rock shots. And while your forking out the money, get a great noise reduction program.
I don't set my ISO so high that it scorches the sensor! I love the movement, and I love the graininess. When I see a band perform, I don't see crystal clear scenes in my mind's eye. I see motion, I see multi-colored high-freq energy that emanates from the performer's spirit's, and I see lots of it! I want to show their energy, their emotion, and their artisty. They bare their soul's to us. I respectfully submit that flash can help us feel connected to the performers. I prefer not using the flashes, but, if I have to, I light 'em up with the photon torpedos!
I use flash. In fact, the more the merrier! I blame Joe McNally, and David Hobby for this... I don't shoot the big shows, just the up-and-coming regional bands. I have five of my "lil fren's" and I use Justin Clamps, and light stands, and if I can, place them pretty far away, always gelled. I don't want them to look flashed. Get the Rosco Roscolux Swatchbooks... My fire team of Nikon SB-800 and SB-900 flashes are popped with a Nikon SU-800. Sometimes the background's at the venues are so uninteresting, that I change them up with the little gelled wonders. When Pocketwizard releases their version for Nikon, I'll drop some serious bucks into them.
So, walk in and setup like you've shot bands for 30 years. Make up a fake business card if you don't have a business, and give it to the sound and lighting dude and the venue management. Give the card to the leader of the band. I show them my "artistry" on my iPhone and the Flickr app. As long as my stands or tripods don't interfere, almost no one stops me! Many times the in-house lighting is horrible, so I bang away with those gelled puppies! I shoot 500-700 pics per band, and I'm pleased if I get 20-40 good ones. Even better if I get 10 outstanding shots. Are my shots great? All up to the beholder. Art or not, I have great fun, and the band's love them! Give your best shots and prints to the venue owners, and they'll love what you do! And they'll let ya get away with photographic murder...
As far as rules, I know of only three in photography... Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO... No other rules need apply.
Why make a "rule?" NO FLASH...? Meh... I've haven't been told once to "get those flashes outta my face!" It could happen, but it hasn't yet, and if it does, I'll shoot without, or not at all, if I feel so inclined. I'm always respectful, but when they see their shots, they smile... What can be better than that?
TC,
Michael
Take a look at The People Now at http://www.myspace.com/thepeoplenow
Also please look at Rock 'n Roll on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelgphotography/sets/72157624809653030/show/
Copyright (C) 2010 Michael G. Hesley
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