When someone gets into nightclub, nightlife, and concert photography, knowing and using the right nightclub photography settings is a big deal. As a ‘newbie’, no one wants to take bad photos because as a photographer, you won’t want to be embarrassed by showing your subjects a horrible shot! So, understanding what settings to use for particular shots is very important. What shutter speed? What aperture? What ISO? Over expose or under expose? There are so many questions and you only have a few seconds to adjust your camera between shots in a nightclub night when the party starts.
I will be discussing many different camera settings for different situations in the Ultimate Nightclub Photography Guide that will improve your photos immediately. Right now, however, I want to focus on something much more fundamental, and really, much more important than knowing a few different shutter, aperture, and ISO combinations. I want to emphasize that you really need to know your camera inside and out. In other words, truly master all the functions, features, and menus of your camera. Honestly, I know many photographers who are only weekend warriors and they cannot handle a camera as quickly and gracefully as a professional. If you don’t use your camera often, you’re not going to be able to make on the fly changes in different settings fast enough. As a result, you’re likely not going to get a good variety of shots because you’ll probably stick to the camera settings you’ve grown used to, and if you’re slow, you’re going to miss some great photo opportunities while you’re fiddling with your camera!
The point is, knowing what nightclub photography settings to use for different shots is one thing, but more important than that is knowing your camera like the back of your hand. Unless you shoot very often, I doubt you could tell me, instinctively, what direction to ‘turn the knob’ to increase shutter speed, widen your aperture, or lower your ISO. These are extreme basics you need to know when shooting in a dynamic environment like a nightclub.
Start handling your camera everyday. Even if you don’t have a shoot, make sure you practice, practice, and practice. Also, when’s the last time you’ve read your camera’s manual? You might be amazed at the things you will learn about your camera that you never knew, or be pleasantly reminded about certain features you used to use but forgot about for some reason. Once you know your camera very well, you will have a lot of confidence to experiment with different nightclub photography settings on the go.
2011-01-1 22:19:30
Good information. I just purchased your book, but I watched a lot of your TV series on YouTube. I am just breaking into this arena. In fact, I shot my first set on the 28th. It was difficult for two reasons.
1. There were not a lot of people there.
2. The lighting was so dark it was hard to find the focus points
To tackle the first I tried to get pics with not only the club’s ambient, but with other people in the background as well. That was an easy challenge.
The second was more difficult. I have three bodies (canon of course – sorry Doug Williams) Canon 50D, 5D (orig) and the 5D Mark II on the way. I shot with the 50D for the better handling of noise at higher ISO levels. I also used my 24-70mm 2.8L + 580EX II. I think it went well and I will get better, but I had the most difficult time focusing on my subjects. It was too dark to see anything. I shot manual focus the entire night. I tried to use the distance on the lens but I got inconsistent results.
Do you have any tips for overcoming this challenge?
Some shots can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27975&id=132304500138411&ref=mf
Any advice, tips, critiques will be appreciated…
– Will
2011-01-1 22:19:30
Hey Will,
Happy New Year! Please email your questions to the email(s) provided to you with the guide and we’ll get back to you on your questions!
Myles
2011-01-4 22:19:30
Myles,
Thanks. I sent the email to the address in the manual. I have not received the physical copy of the book yet, I used the online version, I am assuming it is the same email address that is in the online version.
– Will
2011-01-4 22:19:30
Hey Will,
Ray got your email and replied. Our email addresses were included with the download materials and presets.
I’m not sure what you mean about a physical copy of the book. It is an e-book.
Hope Ray answered your questions.
Myles
2011-02-17 22:19:30
Hey Will,
Try using a penlight with your left hand, placing it right under the lens. This way, you have an external light to assist the autofocus of your camera.
Regards,
Sam
2011-02-17 22:19:30
Hi Myles,
Great website you got here. I got a lot of infos i can use for night club photography.
Thanks!
Kind Regards,
Sam
2011-03-5 22:19:30
You’re welcome!
2011-05-3 22:19:30
i have a stupid question. i have a conon 50d and im still learning now to use it and i dont have an external flash. what settings should i put my camera on?
and this will b my first time taking pics at a club so i want to seem proffesional