How to Keep the Music Alive in Photographs

Music and photography are not mutually exclusive. In fact, concert photography began in the fifties with Rock & Roll and became increasingly popular with The Beatles and Rolling Stones.

There are specialized photographers who follow the musicians and make documentaries based on their career. Among them, Gered Mankowitz and Ethan Russell conquered the world with their series of pictures featuring Rolling Stones and Jim Morrison. But music isn’t just about rock concerts, it is also about musicians, instruments, orchestras, and atmosphere. A classic guitar on an empty beach can sound divine while also creating a mood and telling a story.

In short, music and photography work very well together if you follow some simple rules.

Concert photography

Concerts are organized music events with special rules. At times you are not allowed to photograph at all, while other times permit you only use a non-professional camera. There are artists who accept photographers only during the first three songs. Sometimes only registered photojournalists are allowed to take pictures. If you don’t obey the rules you will be asked to leave the concert. These rules are non-negotiable because there are contracts and a lot of money at stake.

Also, with loud music and colorful lights, taking pictures at concerts is hard work. A good tripod is a must, as well as being prepared to find a place near the stage. Knowing how the band likes to use the stage is a bonus (for example, knowing where each musician likes to be and finding a position near the most famous one).

Instruments

Instruments give a clue about the type of music you photograph. Electric or classic, harps or traditional drums, every instrument has its own role and beauty. Try to take some detail photographs, featuring the instruments and the musicians’ hands. A tense hand on strings can be artistic and more relevant than the entire orchestra. You can also include music sheets, microphones, stands, amplifiers, and anything you consider to add value to your photographs.

Instruments also hold a historic part. A Stradivarius violin will definitely be a good subject. Joe Satriani’s guitars are also very interesting. The old instruments of a Bavarian local orchestra speak a lot about their traditions and culture.

Take time to understand music beyond its sounds. There are many stories to tell.

Mood

Music performance is an ensemble of many arts. From music to costumes, from technical equipment to lights, from scene to the building which hosts the event, everything involved in a music performance can be a good photographic subject. It is really important to catch the mood, to speak about musicians as well as about their audience. You have to photograph not only people and tools, but also social classes, fashion styles, and historical documents. For example, Vienna’s New Year Concert is much more than an orchestra on a stage.

People

Portraits of musicians appear in magazines and exhibitions. The more famous they are, the higher the price is. But, music is not about famous people. Good music and famous musicians aren’t always connected. Pop culture made this very clear. Even if this might not bring you too much money, a photograph of an unknown fado singer, full of emotions and spirit, will be more appealing to an art trained eye. Musicians are very expressive, their faces and their hands can fill a frame. You can see their passion and effort in their eyes and gestures. Try to look for artistic pictures and not just some souvenirs.

Music is a good subject for photography. Full of energy, drama, and wonder, it brings a special atmosphere and some very difficult frames. Even if it’s not easy to make a good composition in a concert hall or at a musical event with strict rules, music in photography will always be appealing and fascinating.

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