[cdrider]

Got a new Pentax Optio SVi to replace my ageing Olympus m300 digital. I mainly use it for taking pictures when I go to gigs and found the Olympus a bit restricting and the flash too aggressive which resulted in pictures like this (not resized).

I haven't had time to practice with the Pentax much but it lets you alter pretty much everything like exposure and f-stops and all that "proper" stuff my old camera wouldn't let you touch.

With time being a factor - Thunder gig on Friday then BB King on 31 March - I'm after some tips on how to get some good shots. Do I need to be adjusting any settings or messing with white balance etc? As for position I aim to get fairly close, 4 - 5 rows back depending on elbow power on the day

cheers.

[Zone]

Yes! Don't get caught for one thing as you'll either have your camera confiscated and/or you and your mates will be shown the door But we'll take it as you're already aware of the risks, I've gotten into the NEC with a film SLR and a 200mm lens, just think carefully where you conceal it

Forget flash for one thing, usually you are going to be so far away from the stage that the only thing you will be illuminating are the backs of peoples heads, this also leads the camera to underexpose anything outside that area!
I'm tipping this is what happened to your very dark shot above, not to mention flash is also a good marker for the bouncers to come looking for you

Up the ISO on the camera to the highest and the F stop to the lowest/widest setting, this will give you the fastest shutter speed possible, sorry not familiar with your camera, suggest experiment and see.

Oh and enjoy the concert

[stevegreen]

Originally Posted by Zone

........just think carefully where you conceal it

Care to elaborate?

[cdrider]

thanks for that. Will def put your tips to use on exposure and fstops. Copied this page to my PDA so as not to forget!

The Optio is pretty small so will slip into a pocket. Only been stopped with a camera once so fingers crossed!

thanks again

[cdrider]

Well, after a stonking gig I've uploaded the pics I took after eliminating the absolute horrors. A few are a bit blurry but that's to be expected in a crowd

All comments and criticism very welcome

http://www.craigrider.co.uk/pictures...006/index.html

[mr jones]

amusingly one of my friends got forcebly removed from an artic monkeys gig last week by the management, dispite having a photographer pass

[dave_bass5]

.....but i did a bit of PP on your shot (ill take it down if you want me to)
all is not lost but next time try and make sure the camera is not exposing for the lights.
i just adjusted the levels, got rid of some shadows and used NeatImage to get rid of the noise.