Photographer captures concert with DSLR-mounted GoPro

lol... we don't always chose what we shoot. I'm actually a fan of the band... they do sound better than on GoPro audio, but if punk isn't your cup of tea, thats cool :)

Thankfully, there is freedom of choice so we don't all have to listen to what you like. Cool vid and photos.

If I am getting paid to do a job I could give to shits about anyone else. I wouldn't go out of my way to sabotage someone's shot but if you can't be bothered to get around me to get your own shot while I am working the floor and different angles it's your own fault if you miss something.

Do you have a Clue how big a GoPro really is?

@OniMirage: Of course you don't give "to" shits about anyone else. And that's why other photographers probably hate you. We all have to work together. When someone is lining up a shot and a stupid accessory pops up in front of their lens causing them to miss the shot that's YOUR fault.

I've seen people get flashes and mics taken out with one quick swipe of a 70-200 or even an elbow.

If you can't be bothered to have professional respect and courtesy in the pit then you don't belong there. In the professional circuit theres a pretty tight knit group. You pîss one off you pîss them all off.

Ask the photographer from Huffington Post who refused to take his mic off at Bonnaroo 3 years ago. He got blackballed. Hasn't been approved since. Ask anyone who shoots the festival circuit what happened to "Rat-tail".

So a GoPro gets in the way? But a 70-200, is of course tiny and discrete, right?

@TheSquire: Since you obviously have never been in a working photo pit let me break it down for you.

The 70-200 is mounted on the front of the camera. Since you're actively using it you are more aware of what it's doing. If you're shooting like you're supposed to (using the viewfinder, not live view), the camera/lens combo is the same level as your head. You have to shoot over people's heads sometimes. It's the nature of the game.

Now on the other hand, you have a GoPro/flash/mic on top of your camera. Now there's this useless thing that is extending above your camera. Making it harder for the people behind you to to shoot over you. You are constantly moving and every time you move you're either blocking another photographer or the same photographer who attempted to move to shoot around you in the first place.

The other thing about the 70-200 is that more often than not it requires you to shoot from further back in the pit. So it's not as likely to get in the way.

Another scenario, which is worse, is standing next to the photographer with the extraneous gear on his camera. The photographer switches to portrait mode. Boom. The useless gear pops into your frame. Or hits you on the head. Or knocks into your camera causing you to miss a shot. The photographer with the useless gear is looking through the viewfinder, oblivious to what his accessories are doing. Although by this time he probably has people yelling at him.

So before you go posting snarky retorts maybe you should think things through?

Been shooting concerts and festivals for several years now. For the most part there's an unspoken courtesy with the regulars. Everyone knows the 3 song limit but if you have a great spot, you should also rotate out so someone else can get a few shots from there. When you're changing position be aware of what others are shooting and duck or wait till they get the shot. Things like that.

Like JDThomas said, it's a small circle for the most part. I've met photographers who've been shooting festivals for decades. If you constantly get in people's way or shove them you'll get your comeuppance for sure.

@cmoney: Exactly. You know the drill.

Here's a good example. A VERY famous photographer showed up at a venue during SXSW. He made it a point to drop his name and he told us all, "I'm (famous photographer), I will run you over if you don't get out of my way". All of us locals and festival shooters had a good laugh and when we went in the pit we messed with him a bit.

The point is that, we respect each other, we help each other out. It doesn't matter who you're shooting for. It's about how you treat others.

If you want to stick a GoPro on your rig, that's cool, as long as you're not screwing other people over in the process. It appears that Pierre B wasn't inhibiting others and thanks for clearing that up. Cheers.

This is my first time checking comments here, this is really enjoyable. I agree it's sad that some people are just negative, but hey, makes me totally happy for all the positive emails and likes I've received.

The loud ones are always the sad, depressed and negative ones. Fact of life. :)

Because then it wouldn't be a video about a photographer taking pictures, from the point of view of the camera. It would instead be yet another concert video just like all the other concert videos on youtube.

Yes, here's an idea: use a better camera like a m43 rig. Go-pro has a look, and it's not one that is right for every situation. (I still don't get why they don't make a model with a rectilinear lens.) Plenty of light body/lens combos to choose from and the Panny models don't have a clip limit.

You're in a dark room with lots of bright coloured lights coming from all angles, so it can prevent glare/flare.

Also, at a lot of these concerts you're getting slammed around by the audience (mosh pit) and the hood helps protect your lens.