Fans are revolutionizing music photography with digital cameras, iPhones and social networking sites. But has the art of the image suffered? Today: two photographers from different generations, Bob Gruen and Elizabeth Weinberg, explain how they have responded to this revolution. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.
Blog: John Schaefer on concert photography
Blog: John Schaefer on concert photography
Comments [5]
Great show today. Very insightful and interesting on how these artists got started and how they approach their work.
While the availability of images from cellphones and P&S cameras has made it harder for me to money selling my images to outlets that are just looking for some photo of the event to slap on an article, those places that really value quality work will always be interested in a beautiful image no matter who is behind the lens.
In the end as long as people still have some idea of what a good photograph is, the increased availability of images won't hurt the art at all (even if it does hurt my bank account from time to time).
Regarding advantage - As a "professional" music photographer, I'd like to think that will almost always have the advantages of access, quality equipment and photographic technique.
I always wear earplugs.
Don't forget a good pair of earplugs... when you have access to the front of the stage, you are right up against the amplifers and speakers.
An advantage the pros have is that they are there to take pictures so they can ignore the show and focus only on getting the perfect shot. A fan wouldn't do that, especially considering how much tickets cost.
I felt like a thief or something trying to get my (then) new Sony Cybershot H20 into the last U2 show at the Meadowlands, hoping no one would give me grief at the security check on the way in.
Well I needn't have worried; everyone at the show was shooting or streaming the whole thing to the world beyond.
Thanks to the super zoom on my new little camera, I got some great shots of Bono and the boys.
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