The Importance of Movement
- Chris Day
- Dec 10, 2018
- 2 min read
My generally high level of social anxiety when it comes to getting in someone’s way was one of the largest hurdles I had to overcome when I began doing concert photography. At 6’2”, I am generally able to stand a few rows back from the stage and have an uninterrupted view of any show. However, when it comes to concert photography, being in the third or fourth row limits one’s access as a photographer to the best angles and frequently results in the bottom part of your photo being filled with heads, arms or a particularly tall hairdo. If you’re shooting in a venue that doesn’t have a photo pit, then you either must get to the front early and stake your claim on the ideal shooting spot or make your peace with having to push and shove your way to the front when the show starts. I typically go with the first option and deal with the sore feet of standing in the front to keep the best possible spot. However, through the struggle of getting to the front, I have taken some of my favorite photos over the last few months. Below are a few images I’ve taken from being up-front at local shows at High Dive and The Atlantic.
In addition to getting up front, movement during concerts is extremely important. I will admit that sometimes I can get stuck at the front of a show, and it is easier to stay where you are and ride it out. But if you can move from one side of the venue to the other, and really check out all the angles that are available to you, your photography will improve because of it. If ever photo from a show is a head-on look at a performer right at the mic then your photos become routine. However, if you can get to the side of the stage and show the band or performer from a viewpoint that most audience members wouldn’t think to look, then your photos will give each performance you cover an entirely new layer that viewers get to explore.
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