Know Your Venue

There are a number of things to keep in mind when shooting a show. It pays off to come prepared.

Stage Configuration – Do you get a photo pit? or are you like everyone else? Things are fairly self explanatory if you get to be in the photo pit, but if you are like everyone else you either need to get there early, get yourself to the front or get a fast telephoto lens. It depends on how large of an area you have available if you’re going to be able to setup a tripod, shoot over the crowd and stand on something.
Lighting – Is there going to be enough available light just shoot? Hot-shoe flash can be a great investment, but it totally dependent on the venue. I have found if you shoot a concert with a regular flash it will illuminate all of the imperfections of the stage and all the dirt. You’re usually better off using the available light. You sometimes have no choice but to you use a hot-shoe flash if the venue doesn’t have lights that follow the band.
Your limitations – Some shows are going to have more laid back security. You might be able to get close on the side of the stage and shoot with a telephoto lens. Sometimes to get the shots I wanted to get I had to push the limit and go where I wasn’t permitted to get the right angle. Within reason, we don’t want to build a bad rep with the venue.