i've recently been into photographing the rock shows I go too. I can't depart from my tri-x (i know i'm asking fo trouble) and I abhor using flash so that out of like 20 fames I probably have 4 that come out with something printable. anyone have any tips on taking pics of concerts? I know I'm gonna have to use a flash...any tips on how to use it without making pics come out blah. thanks

-- betty (betty@newdream.net), October 31, 2001

Answers

Betty, why not go to T-Max 3200? I think that would be much more in line with what you are looking for than using a flash. I know you said you did not want to depart from your Tri-X, BUT......?!

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), October 31, 2001.

You can push the Tri-X to 800ASA or even 1600 most of the 7o's concert photographs were taken with the Tri X at 800ASA. Since the concert lightning tends to be very bright and usually causes flares take the meter reading from the subject (ie Face)

-- dominik (mariodriedl@hotmail.com), November 01, 2001.

You get permission first? It makes it a whole lot easier, I have gone into clubs, worked with the lighting guy, find out when I'll get good shots, sometimes can shoot from the side of the stage. You will find that if you time it right, there is enough light for Tri-X at 800. If you do work with flash, see if you can put slaves on stage to makes it less obvious.

Amina Claudine Myers, Copyright 1998 Jeff Spirer

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), November 03, 2001.

hey guys, thanks for the responses. i don't like 3200 because it is too grainy. i'm going to try and experiment with flash but don't feel too confident using it so maybe I will take my trix at 800ASA...but what happens when you push the film this way? it loses quality doesn't it, but not that much so it isn't so effecting?

-- betty (betty@newdream.net), November 04, 2001.

Do you process your films? For scene/concert shootings, I can recommand Tetenal Emofin developer. It's a 2 baths developer which is incredibly good at controlling highligts. It's also fine grain and speed increasing.

I agree with you to stick to Tri X, not really because of the grain, but because it is very tolerant on exposure - In comparison T-grain emulsions (TMax, Delta) are very fussy on exposure. You could also try Fuji Neopan 1600: A traditional film. I never tested it with Emofin though, but I found a Web site which praised the combination (I can't remember the URL...).

Xavier

-- Xavier Colmant (xcolmant@powerir.com), November 05, 2001.

Betty: I, too would recommend a higher speed film, like Neopan 1600. One thing often overlooked is that flash has almost no effect at the distances most of us sit from the stage, and often the star or arena have rules about photography and/or the use of flash, not to mention big,ugly security personnel to enforce them. High speed film and unobtrusive is the way to go. If you can take one into the auditorium, a small, light monopod will help with camera movement, as long as it does not annoy the other concert goers. Actually, it is generally an either /or situation: you are there to commit GOOD photography, or to enjoy the concert. If you can get a photo assignment from someplace, that may open up more doors for you. CC

-- Carl Crosby (humminboid@aol.com), November 12, 2001.

I don't like 3200 speed film at 3200, but nothing destroys good stage shots like flash! My suggestion is (this assumes you develop your own film) shoot a roll of Delta 3200 at 1600, and process in Xtol 1:1 with the times at www.digitaltruth.com's dev chart- I've made 11x14s from 35mm negs that mix right in with my TX prints. Nice tonality, decent grain, good sharpness.

-- Eamonn Aiken (weatherbox@mac.com), December 04, 2001.

Huh

You don't like the grain of 3200 but use tri-x, which is a very old-fashioned film with a large grain? 1600 film has almost the same grain as tri-x, so I would recommend that

-- Reinier (rvlaam@xs4all.nl), December 21, 2001.

Rock and roll is dirty. 3200 @ 3200 and sometimes pushed to 6400 gives me all the dirt the subject has to offer. Of course I work in really dark punk clubs and also dislike the flash . I find that High speed films pushed in D76 give me all the raw graphic quality I need. If you can't give up tri-x your really going to have to push it to 1600 and in a dim club that means maybe a 2.8f at 1/6

-- mike hadley (mahadley@maine.rr.com), December 21, 2001.

sorry type-o. thats 2.8f at 1/60.

-- (mahadley@maine.rr.com), December 21, 2001.