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[Official] FAQs about Concert Photography (Questions Answered, Get Help, Learn More, Read Tutorials)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Want us to look at your shots? Ask for feedback in this thread ONLY please. Thanks.

CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIALS

Secrets of Killer Concert Photos Revealed
Daniel Boud's Concert Photography Masterclass
Steve Mirarchi's Guide to Concert, Stage, and Low-Light Photography
Concert Photography by Jon Sievert
So You Want To Shoot Concerts?: about photo contracts

Turning "pro": What to charge?

FUNDAMENTALS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Understanding exposure: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO

What's the difference between shutter priority, aperture priority, program mode, and manual?

What is metering? Spot metering, partial metering, center-weighted metering, and matrix metering, explained.

Why are my photos of moving subjects blurry?

What's the difference between full frame and a cropped sensor?

GROUP DISCUSSION TOPICS

What settings should I use? Part 1, Part 2, Daniel Boud (aka dreadfuldan) on settings.

Why are my photos all blown out / overexposed?

Why are my non-flash photos all blurry?

How do I get a photo pass?Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

What to write to a publicist if you don't have a publication backing you:
What to say?
How would you word this!?
Getting a pass?

Help! I can't find contact information for this artist!

How do I get my work into magazines? How do I establish myself?

First time in the photo pit: what should I do? Part 1, Part 2.

What camera and lenses to use? Part 1, Part 2.
What lenses to use with a D40 or D40x [the D40 body (as well as the D60 body) has no built-in AF motor, so be careful]

Can you recommend an inexpensive wide angle lens for me? I don't have any money to spend. Part 1, Part 2.

How do I deal with red stage lighting? I hate the red lights! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Should I use flash? What's the deal with flash? Why do so many people hate flash?

How do I improve my use of flash? The flash on my camera sucks! Part 1, Part 2, Past 3.
See also: Making flash not look like flash, and Strobist: the flash photography weblog.

How do I deal with lens flare?

Why didn't they let me shoot the show? Can I sneak my camera in? Security said I had a "professional" camera but it's not! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

What should I charge? I'm just getting started, should I give my shots away for free? See also: What to charge?

How do I put together a great portfolio?
See also Utata on what makes a great portfolio.

How do I deal with excessively noisy images?

What post-processing or Photoshopping do you do?

Nikon versus Canon: whose cameras are better at concert photography? Part 1, Part 2

How do I shoot a large festival like Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Festival, Glastonbury, ACL Fest, Rock Ness, V Fest? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Should I shoot in RAW? What are the benefits of RAW versus JPEG?

Sometimes things go wrong. What about utter failure? How have you failed when shooting a show? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Is Flickr your primary site for concert photography?

200 Quick Tips on Concert Photography.

Is there any benefit to joining an agency?

What's been your experience working with Getty, Retna, WireImage?

What earplugs to wear? Part 1 and Part 2

QUIT YOUR DAY JOB

How many of you are full time photographers and how many still have day jobs? 1

2

Did you go to photography or art school?
How do you make money doing this?

GET INSPIRED

Awesome concert photographers on Flickr.

Famous/historic concert photographers

INTERVIEWS WITH SOME GROUP MEMBERS

Chris Owyoung
Danny North [Warning, opens as PDF]
Daniel Boud
Originally posted at 1:09PM, 25 May 2007 PDT (permalink)
Kathryn Yu edited this topic 41 months ago.

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Fairytale Vegas  Pro User  says:

Thanks so much! This is really helpful.
Posted 61 months ago. (permalink)

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Lalitree  Pro User  says:

Great idea K!

Found a few more:

Should I shoot in RAW?
More Canon v. Nikon
First time in a photo pit?
It's my first time shooting a show, help!
Should I use flash? (more)
Posted 61 months ago. (permalink)

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dreadfuldan  Pro User  says:

Very handy.
Posted 61 months ago. (permalink)

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bob_sanderson  Pro User  says:

Great idea.
Posted 61 months ago. (permalink)

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PaulvanDijk says:

nice! some good advice there, thanks. and...more please :)
Posted 61 months ago. (permalink)

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Tyson of Habein Studio says:

if there is a way to make this a sticky topic (stays at top of board) then it would likely save some time.
Posted 61 months ago. (permalink)

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Laura | Fotografía is a group administrator Laura | Fotografía says:

great idea! Thanks for sharing the links. I will put this in the announcement area at the top... unfortunately there isn't a sticky option for the actual message section... flickr doesn't make it easy to keep the group organized on the admin end of things.
Originally posted 61 months ago. (permalink)
Laura | Fotografía (a group admin) edited this topic 61 months ago.

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Thanks, guys.

I added some more links (thanks, Lalitree!), too.
Posted 61 months ago. (permalink)

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aaaphotosdotorg says:

maybe add my link of possibly helpful advice?

AAAphotos.org/faq.htm
Posted 61 months ago. (permalink)

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Owen Garfield Richards says:

Just thought I'd say thanks for this, this is a great idea. I'm going to stay up late reading through all this info tonight.
Posted 60 months ago. (permalink)

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jameshamiltonphotography says:

but this cuts out all of the questions... :)
Posted 60 months ago. (permalink)

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Jl sarenas (Juvy) says:

why this is extremely convienient! thank you!
Posted 59 months ago. (permalink)

Minh Ngu [deleted] says:

Fantastic links and info. . . . .
Posted 56 months ago. (permalink)

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solveigh says:

Sounds great!
I'm trying all this tonite...
Posted 55 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Added a few more links.
Posted 55 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

We do have it on the front page in an admin note, but you're right, it's not at the top of the list or called out in any way on the group discussion pages...Oh, well.
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

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TwoThumbsFresh  Pro User  says:

Hey, not sure if it's worthy of being in here - but I started a thread covering tips/moans to help bands, venues, security etc...

100 Top Tips for Bands, Venues, Security
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

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Valerio Berdini | liveon35mm.com says:

Wow!!! Thanks a lot, very Helpful.

On my side, there are concert photography tips on any article I have been posting on liveon35mm

Ciao
Valerio
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

andreas fotos [deleted] says:

Nice of someone to share their tips.
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

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Kieran Ross says:

Should I be pleased my thread has made it into the FAQ?! Makes me feel like the idiot newb :p Anyway I have updated the link so it actually goes through to the right photos. As I had deleted the set with them in while I re-edited them (which has worked out great after all that advice)

Hopefully some people will gain some useful advice though, through my cock up :)
Originally posted 54 months ago. (permalink)
Kieran Ross edited this topic 54 months ago.

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

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Litost.  Pro User  says:

bump
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Thanks! :)
Posted 52 months ago. (permalink)

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Kieran Ross says:

Bumped for great justice and all that.
Posted 52 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 52 months ago. (permalink)

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PhotographN.com  Pro User  says:

here's a new one that I found:

howtobecomeaphotographerblog.com/

hope it's okay to post it here!
Posted 52 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

I'm trying to keep this post limited to discussions on Flickr or articles written by other people specifically about concert photography. That blog seems really new and generic so far.
Posted 52 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 51 months ago. (permalink)

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Laura | Fotografía is a group administrator Laura | Fotografía says:

Top
Posted 51 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 51 months ago. (permalink)

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Rock Photo Star says:

Hi, Kathryn. Yes, howtobecomeaphotographerblog.com just started in Feb. However, I will be keeping it updated, currently about a post a week but will try to increase that.

Current posts are foundational and though seeming generic and obvious, as I mentioned, I would be a wealthy person if I got a dollar for every photographer, including concert photographer that didn't practice the basics I mentioned in looking like a professional.

Moreover, as soon as I figure out the software, I will be adding videos going over my gear for concert photography and answering other questions.

Thanks for the mention PhotographN.com
Posted 51 months ago. (permalink)

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Ramsey // www.shoottothrill.co.uk says:

Bump.
Posted 51 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 51 months ago. (permalink)

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Bryan Kremkau | SkaPunkPhotos.com  Pro User  says:

bump
Posted 51 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 50 months ago. (permalink)

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Litost.  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 50 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 50 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

. .
Posted 50 months ago. (permalink)

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letsmakeart  Pro User  says:

"howtobecomeaphotographerblog.com"

You are almost inspiring me to start

howtopickmemorableandusefuldomainnames.com
Posted 50 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 50 months ago. (permalink)

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Litost.  Pro User  says:

..
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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stellar112  Pro User  says:

thank you so much kathryn!!
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

..
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

...
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

....
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 49 months ago. (permalink)

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Litost.  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 48 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.,.,.,
Posted 48 months ago. (permalink)

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Andy Parker - Avangelist Photography  Pro User  says:

I would love to find a blog written by somebody who actually uses Nikon Kit.
Posted 48 months ago. (permalink)

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dreadfuldan  Pro User  says:

Danny and Cybele use Nikon. I'm sure you could find many more too.
Posted 48 months ago. (permalink)

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ishotyourband  Pro User  says:

i think Todd uses nikon,, right?
Posted 48 months ago. (permalink)

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Todd | ishootshows.com is a group administrator Todd | ishootshows.com  Pro User  says:

Yes, I do actually use Nikon ;-)

The Gear Guide on my page lists all the toys.

Bryan of skapunkphoto just picked up a D300 recently, and I know Carsten of Front Rows Pits and Pavements shoots with a D3, as I do. Lots more out there, too, I'm sure.

Todd | ishootshows.com/
Originally posted 48 months ago. (permalink)
Todd | ishootshows.com (a group admin) edited this topic 48 months ago.

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Shotlivephoto  Pro User  says:

I shoot with a D2x and a D200. Moving to a D3 after the book project.
I recently have been using a Sony A700 and a Sony A200 for book purposes, but my main concert gear is mostly Nikon and has been since before digital.

Alan Hess
www.alanhessphotography.com
Posted 48 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 48 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.... ....
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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antzpantz says:

I was going to suggest putting this as a sticky, but there are two things:

1) It's already in the stickies.
2) No one really looks at stickies. :-(


So... good on you for keeping this up there. :-)
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

:)
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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macsfstop  Pro User  says:

wow. definitely a new favorite group. thanks for putting in so much time here to help us new folks ;)
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

You're welcome!
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Todd | ishootshows.com is a group administrator Todd | ishootshows.com  Pro User  says:

I shoot shows.
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

.
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Valerio Berdini | liveon35mm.com says:

is it just me not understanding why all Kathryn messages are just dot and commas?
Originally posted 47 months ago. (permalink)
Todd | ishootshows.com (a group admin) edited this topic 47 months ago.

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Todd | ishootshows.com is a group administrator Todd | ishootshows.com  Pro User  says:

She's writing in morse code.
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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cadd  Pro User  says:

it's a secret code that only us elitists can decipher ;)
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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-Chad Fahnestock Fotography- says:

You don't understand what she's saying here liveon35mm?

I think her posts in here are borderline brilliant.
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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StephenMcleod  Pro User  says:

"How do I shoot a large festival like Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, ACL Fest, Rock Ness, V-Fest? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4"

part 1 was a topic started by me.

I had an issue with Flickr admins which meant every group post I made has been deleted. You might wanna update it to remove that link, since Flickr have deleted the entire topic.
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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cadd  Pro User  says:

we told you not to mess with the Scientologists, Stephen

laughs then realises that may have been why you got deleted, coughs into hand and walks away nervously
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Todd | ishootshows.com is a group administrator Todd | ishootshows.com  Pro User  says:

Thanks, Stephen, I just noticed it before reading this thread. It's taken care of.
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Laura | Fotografía is a group administrator Laura | Fotografía says:

So.....why did flickr delete the topic? or is it super top secret and you're not allow to talk about it....
Originally posted 47 months ago. (permalink)
Laura | Fotografía (a group admin) edited this topic 47 months ago.

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StephenMcleod  Pro User  says:

Longgg (and ridiculous) story:

In some topic that was full of nonsense and sillyness, I posted a link to "Greatest HDR Image ever" - which was a rickroll - ie, it took you to the video of Rick Astley singing "never gonna give you up" - you had to click the ok button like 40 times to close it.

It fitted with the tone of the thread, but someone objected - reported me, and some Flickr admin pressed the big red button deleting all of my posts.

I complained, and Flickr said I was right, and gave me a big sack of free stuff like longer pro account, free business cards, etc.

There have been rumours of it being done because I have lots of anti-Scientology protest photos, but that's just speculation, I'm sure...
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Laura | Fotografía is a group administrator Laura | Fotografía says:

weird.... although the rick roll bit was funny....don't try it here though, you've been warned...;o) we can all find him on youtube on our own lol
Posted 47 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Please read me!
Posted 45 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

I am full of useful info!
Posted 45 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

You can learn a lot from reading the FAQs!
Posted 45 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Feel free to add new questions to existing threads!
Posted 45 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

A lot of interesting topics have already been covered!
Posted 45 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

The FAQs cover a variety of topics!
Posted 45 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Take advantage of the collective knowledge of this group's members.
Posted 45 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

There's lot of advice and tips for "newbies" and "experts" alike!
Posted 44 months ago. (permalink)

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gig-shots.com  Pro User  says:

Did you know if you delete your "bump" messages the topic stays bumped? ;o)
Posted 44 months ago. (permalink)

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Roger Krueger says:

So I'm sitting here thinking I should tell them about the deleted-bump thing, and when I scroll to the bottom I see gig-shots beat me to it by a half-hour on a thread that's been being bumped for 10 months. Too funny.
Posted 44 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Nice to know. Thanks, guys.
Posted 44 months ago. (permalink)

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eystein.aarseth  Pro User  says:

Hm, shouldn't the FAQ contain something about earplugs? It might not be discussed often, but it ought to be here, IMHO.
(Links to this thread and that thread, for example?)
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

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Black Shadow Photography says:

Earplugs are a must! Mine stay in my camera bag and are used regularly.

The ones I use are www.vater.com/newproducts/product.cfm?M=287 and they work very well.
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

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Kathryn Yu  Pro User  says:

Thanks, I will add.
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

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Ché Ballard says:

"Mine stay in my camera bag and are used regularly."

I forgot mine last time and had to resort to stuffing balled up tissue into my lugs. It worked and looked super cool in the process, too :\
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

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Stop The Clocks | sachinkhona  Pro User  says:

Kathryn you are a legend

This page is awesome!
Posted 40 months ago. (permalink)

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macsfstop  Pro User  says:

Bumpity bumper!
Such a great resource here... thanks contributors!
Posted 39 months ago. (permalink)

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hybrid756 says:

I am going to move into this thread! Thanks to everyone involved.
Posted 38 months ago. (permalink)

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Chris | the other Chris says:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Am67-Sew7k&feature=haxa_popt... EEEEK bumpity bump
Posted 35 months ago. (permalink)

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Chris[topher] Lin  Pro User  says:

Chris Owyoung, this article is great!
blog.photoshelter.com/corp/2009/07/how-to-take-the-worlds...
Posted 35 months ago. (permalink)

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strummers2505  Pro User  says:

Ok I have a question - don't jump on me if the answer's here somewhere!!

At the minute I'm still learning and shoot a lot from the crowd without any official agreements (mostly with a point and shoot btw), just to build up experience and aI anjoy doing it.

So my question is - what rights do I have for the photos I've taken in this way? With regards to selling/publishing/licencing them.

Am I completely restricted or completely free as no agreement was signed? I keep swinging my opinion between the 2! I'm in the UK if that makes any difference.
Posted 34 months ago. (permalink)

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eystein.aarseth  Pro User  says:

strummers2505, see this thread in Photographer's Rights for some UK-specific advice.
Posted 34 months ago. (permalink)

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dylanhauge  Pro User  says:

New to the group (Hello).

Just wanted to inform the link at the top is b0rked.

Updated:
Secrets of Killer Concert Photos Revealed
Posted 28 months ago. (permalink)

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CarolAnn Photos  Pro User  says:

Well worth a bump methinks (mainly so I can find it later when I'm not on a SLOW ancient netbook......)
Posted 16 months ago. (permalink)

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