FAQ

Here´s a collection of questions, we got. If you have more questions, that haven´t been answered here so far, feel free to comment/e-mail etc. and we´ll answer and add them here!

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What equipment do you use?

Jana: I started out with a Canon 30D and a 50 2,8 but now I use Canon 5D MK II with a Canon 24-70 2,8 and a Sigma 70-200 2,8 lenses.

Cornelia: My first cam was a Nikon D70, now I  have a D300, together with Tamron 28-75/2,8 (old), Tokina 28-70/2,8, Tokina 80-200/2,8 and Nikon 10,5/2,8 (Fisheye). Plus an external flash, CF Cards, Lumiquest and other stuff.


How do you get your photopasses?

Jana: We get passes for some gigs through www.music-photocalypse.net, but I am also involved with a serious number of online and print publications, so I get some passes through them as well.

Cornelia: Online mags, bands directly, venues...


What is your favourite band to shoot?

Jana: Amorphis! They’re EVERYONE’s favorite band to shoot, aren’t they? Lately I came to like shooting metalcore, though it’s quite a challenge.

Cornelia: Amorphis, yes! Though I´d add Behemoth there as well. Probably quite a lot of other bands, too. Always depends a bit on shooting conditions etc. Simply put, whenever a band is able to put emotion in their performance, does crazy stuff etc. it makes a great picture.

How long have you been photographing?

Jana:  3 years and counting.

Cornelia: I started quite some years ago, but when it comes to concert photography, in 2005, roughly. With proper equipment in 2006.

Do you live from photography?
Jana: I earn enough from photography to qualify as a pro (over 10 per cent of my income) but it’s sure a long way before I can live off it – and I am not sure I’d want to.
Cornelia: No, not at all. For me it´s rather combining two hobbies or should I call it passions?

Can I have pics in high resolution?
Yes you can. It’s gonna be different if you’re a band, label or magazine – so send us a message and we can discuss it further.

Can I buy prints somewhere?
Send us an email regarding this and we´re sure we can arrange something. We don’t sell through any stores and not all photos are for sale as prints due to restriction from the band or their management. So it’s a case-by-case basis here.

May I draw your photo(s)?

Sure thing, and we´re very flattered if you want to. But please send us a link to what turns out (check the contact section for e-mail adresses) – we´re really excited to see how it worked. Seriously. (and already got some really great stuff!)

Can you take pics of my band?
Sure! Please send us an email regarding this and we’ll discuss things further. (check contact page for adresses)


Why don´t you have pics of band XY?
Cos we have never been to their gig with a camera?
We surely have been to countless gigs so far, but unfortunately we can´t be everywhere. However...sooner or later we´re going to catch them all!

Can I use the pics on my Myspace/homepage/forum/streeteam/etc.?
Yes you can, but please link back to www.music-photocalypse.net if you do and it would still be nice if you sent us an email and told us you’d want to use the pics. So that we know where they go – we’re curious.

May I use pictures as wallpaper, collage/postcard?
Jana: It depends.I love collages and wallpapers myself, I have seen both good and bad ones. If I like your previous work I will let you use my photos, but please ask me first.


 I want to start concert photography, can you tell me which cam/lenses to use?
Jana: I am not one of those people who tell you you can take good photos with any camera. Sports and concert photography are the areas where this doesn’t apply, sorry. You’ll need a good camera which can handle very high ISOs gracefully and you’ll need a good zoom with large aperture, like 2,8. So it’s going to cost you at least 3000 Euros if you’re serious about what you’re planning to do.

Cornelia:Agreed...depends on what exactly you´re planning to do. If it´s more less just for the fun of it,  you´ll surely get away with cheaper equipment. However, if you can´t afford the expensive lenses right away, start with a 50/1,8 – cheap, but sharp and great for bad light conditions and then decide which lenses you need apart from that. However...2,8 is a must if you ask me. As for the camera... depends on your budget of course. Canon 450D or Nikon D80/90 something like this. And in the end...the best equipment is worth nothing, if you don´t know how to use it, so shoot, shoot, shoot and learn!
Start in smaller clubs, work for locals bands, try stuff..etc.
In the end everyone has to find out for him/herself, there is no general "how to"...

How do I get this whole thing started?
Get a good camera, and start taking photos at gigs where cameras are allowed. Then you can try to get a freelance relationship with some local or international music website – or start your own. Shoot, shoot, shoot...practice as much as you can and get to know your camera!
Basically, there´s not real "recipe" on how to do it.

How are many shots wrongly processed and what do you look for to fix it up?
Jana: I don't think there is such a thing as wrong postprocessing. I myself often end up with halos, overexposing, underexposing or an HDR-ish look, and it's a pretty much conscious decision even though I know it's not technically good.
There are two things that I MIGHT consider as wrong though - airbrushing the skin waaay to much ( in this case solution's simple - try to know when to say no) And second, the postrocessing should suit the subject. Cross-processing is good as it is, but not applied to a picture of a funeral.


 I'd like to know some things about the post processing of the photos.

Jana:Hmmm, nothing unusual here. I use only Lightroom these days and do color correction, levels, curves and tints. I don't manipulate any parts of the photos separately. I also add vignetting in most shots. I take it way further with my studio shots though, but I’d need to write a whole article about what I do – it takes up to 20 hours of postpro work per picture for non-concert shots.


I would like to know everything about your  philosophy. How do you define a great concert picture? How your ideas about "the good concert photography" was transformed with the years? What ethical rules do you think must have any concert photographer? If I didn't ask a question about something in this direction, but you would like to tell about it - please feel free to describe it all, it has a great interest for me. And thank you inadvance!
Jana:I don't think I have philosophy whatsoever - it applies more to studio and conceptual shooting. When I go to a gig I have no idea what I will encounter and what will be possible to do... I guess what I do try to achieve is to glorify the artist. Transformation occurs whenever I learn something new and want to try it.