"No Name" Bar Bands and Lighting

Bands are great to photograph. Many popular groups have a big following. Unfortunately the cost just to attend a performance is much higher than I can often afford unless a magazine or the likes will pay for it. Because of this I often turn to smaller less known bands and singers normally found in bars and nightclubs.

Until they become more popular and might become backup bands for another popular groups, or get lucky and go on tour for them selves, they remain relatively unknown. With exception to a fancy venue with a recording contract, most of them are very good. I highly recommend finding them. While you're at it, bring your camera for some really wild photographs!

Do you remember other photographers talk about popular rock concerts being in low light? I can't help but chuckle! Professional bands and singers tour around with high quality sound and lighting systems. Unless you have photographed a lot of bar bands, you don't understand dark!

In the past I frequented a few bars to shoot various performances that played there. Most had what I called "no-name" bands. You know, the ones that haven't made it big yet but still love playing their instruments. Other bands were regional or filler bands trying to get some gas money between gigs. If you're lucky maybe they'll bring a couple accent colors and a spot lights add to the feeble bar lighting.

The first thing you should do is to get permission! This is important since some bands have an agreement with record companies that legally prevent any "professional" photography. Even if you look like a pro they might reject you so just look normal.

Very few bar bands have any type of record agreement so just find whoever is the head person and talk to them. It really makes smaller bands feel important if you had asked for permission to photograph them.

It is also important to get permission from someone in charge of the establish. Most don't care. With that done you can now get down with the job at hand.

Some bands jump around and others don't. As the band does their thing you might have to make several adjustments to determine the speed setting. In really dark bars I go one setting faster than a blurry picture, more if I can.

Most bars are dark, auto focusing is often not possible so you'll need to manually focus and that is not the easiest thing to do. The main reason that I find other photographers don't like to cover a bar band is the lack of money to be made and the amount of work needed to do.

You'll need to use manual settings all the way. You might have a hard time but just don't give up!

It's always nice to preset everything to a known value and that is often going to be wide open, unless a special requirement for a depth of field is needed.

If you have no idea what value to use, I have found this to help. Start by taking basic shots in some type of automatic setting and whatever mode you feel comfortable using. Look at what the camera suggests and then manually adjust accordingly. You might need to make the settings a little darker and correct for that in post. Do a little "chimping" to get closer to the final settings. Shoot a couple more and repeat the process. A couple tries later you should be all set.

Preset the focus. First, try focusing on a known, like a shiny belt buckle or a guitar fret board at the distance you want to use.

Many times I had to turn around and focus on a shiny object in the bar itself at the distance needed. Other times it was so dark that I just tried to look at my lens dial, then turn the distance dial for what I felt I was from the band. That can be difficult if your lens has not been manufactured correctly being some lenses have been known to be off.

As a former percussionist I'll remind you, don't forget the drummer! Many don't do this since there is often less light in the back area.

Remember when I mentioned focusing on a belt buckle or shiny part of a guitar, a similar thing goes for the drummer. Cymbals and posts work very well.

I have yet to see a performance that did not repeat an action during a song. Get ready and be set for the next round that you liked. Then wait, and wait, and wait for the correct time.

Photographers may not be permitted a lot of time at larger concerts. This is because the promoters often put a one or two song time limit on you being near the stage. Bars on the other hand, seldom care.

Get some type of permission from the bar and the band just in case there is a problem. As mentioned earlier, most of the bands welcome you photographing them. They often love it since someone is finally concerned about them. There is a good chance that a member or manager can let you photograph from somewhere on the sides or back of the stage. I can tell you that most smaller bands have wires to their microphones, amps, and guitars laying all over the floor. Be very careful to not walk on or trip on those things.

When you talk to the band, be sure to give them one of your business cards. It's always better to have them contact you, otherwise you will go crazy trying to keep up with different bands.

I have found that many bands don't really care and have never contacted me. The ones who do might, repeat might, could give you some advertisement. Who knows, they might want to use the photo for something. For the smaller bands, do not expect any sort of payment! You might trade for something but not much else.

Your trade can be for a sticker, CD, or as I favor, admittance to future shows should they ever make the big time.

So far only two have made it semi-big and you can guarantee that I reminded their manager of our small agreement. They're normally very nice to work with. I love being able to photograph band members in a more intimate setting.

It doesn't have to be a band either. For example, one person in my list that is a stand-up comedian.