Photography at Gigs

[rhythmaning]

There's a debate about photography at jazz gigs over on LondonJazz. A lot of people don't like it - understandably. It is a topic that has been on my list to write about for a while...

Here was my comment:

It is not professional v amateur photographers: it is people who show consideration to others in the audience against those who believe they have a right to disturb others.

I frequently take photographs at gigs. I believe I am sufficiently sensitive to the music to minimise disturbance to those around me: my camera's screen is switched off so there is no light pollution, the autofocus aid is switched off so there are no red dots illuminating musicians, I don't hold my camera above my head to get in the way of those behind me, nor do I stand (unless it's a standing gig!).

I don't take photographs in quiet passages with my SLR, I NEVER use flash (musicians hate it - it momentarily blinds them, dreadful if they are reading the music), I try to time my photograph to the beat and, most importantly, if I feel I will disturb anyone, I don't take don't take the picture. If it is apparent I am disturbing those around me, I stop.

If possible (ie small gigs!), I ask the musicians if they mind me taking pictures - I have only once been asked not to, because the musician in question wanted to control copyright of his image, and I happily complied.

Several musicians have told me how much they appreciate the photos I have taken: several have used them on their websites or CD covers.

I have frequently been disturbed at gigs by those given official sanction to take photographs - you may call them professional, but their attitude to the audience is one of disdain: they move around during numbers, get in people's way and make a lot of noise. They often appear uninterested in the music.

I could - maybe should - have added that if anyone asks me to stop, I do. It has only happened once. Years ago, using my old (non-digital, heavy, loud) SLR, I was taking pictures at a gig. The stranger next to me asked if I was actually going to take any - I had taken about 30, but she hadn't been aware of the shutter at all.

There is a certain hypocrisy about venues asking people not to take pictures and then letting "professional" photographers wander around taking pictures.

Comments

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

It did occur to me after I'd written the comment that makes up the bulk of this post that photography is pretty much of a no-no at classical concerts, although a very few people take pictures on their phones (apparent tourists during the Proms, I'd say!) - even I would baulk at taking pictures during a classical concert. (It had occurred to me to ask to take photos during rehearsals, but I have never actually done so!)

But with everyone armed with a mobile phone - and so a camera - it is also something that can be hard to stop.

[coughingbear]

I don't think I've ever seen even professional photographs being taken during a classical concert - before or after, or at rehearsal, but while the music is being played (or the ballet danced, or the opera sung) it would be absolutely forbidden. The BBC set-up at the Proms when they are filming can be a little visually obtrusive, but is of course silent.

I suppose promming feels a lot more informal, especially up in the gallery, so I can see that people might take pictures - I've taken some of the Hall, but only when the music wasn't playing!