Lighting Often Toughest Note At Concert

October 10, 1986|By Ed Harn.

Q--What are the particular problems in shooting pictures at a rock concert?

A--The main problem is the spotlighting used for this type of event. It produces both very high contrast and uneven and constantly changing levels of illumination; consequently, exposure calculation can tend to be hit or miss. One method that could produce an acceptable result is to scan the field of view with the meter, avoiding any light sources, and note the extremes of exposures indicated and set the exposure between them. If all this seems too complicated, one way I found to get good exposure is to set the camera at 1/60 with your lens set the widest aperture (lowest f-stop number). Also, remember that you will probably also be using a long lens, so be very careful to brace your camera and lens as well as possible. As far as what film to use, I suggest a high ASA; 400 or even 1000 would help to get the correct exposure.

Q--How can I take pictures in the rain so that the falling rain will show up in the picture?

A--There are two necessary considerations. One is to use a fast enough shutter speed to prevent the rain being too blurred to record on the film, and the other is to ensure that there is a quite bold tonal difference between the rain and the background. This can often be achieved by backlighting, and it is possible to use a flash to illuminate the rain in the foreground. It is also important to make sure that your camera equipment is well protected from the rain.

Q--When taking pictures of flowers growing in the wild I often find that when I stoop down far enough to get the whole bloom sharp, the background also becomes too defined and distracting. Is there anything I can do?

A--The simplest solution is to use a small, plain-colored piece of cardboard as a background, placed some distance behind the flower but in front of other plants or details. This will create a smooth, even tone and will not appear out of place if its tone and color are chosen to compliment the setting. An alternative could be to use backlighting or a shading device to subdue the background details.