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Dierks Bentley performs at the Island Resort Casino

Although I love photographing concerts I have given up trying to get my digital SLR into such events to get some decent pics. It’s always a crap shoot as to whether they are going to let you bring one in or not. Now on the other hand they never have a problem with small point and shoot cameras so the simple solution is to go with the flow.

His show employed a lot of overhead and cross lighting which created some nice scenes.

Although I could get much better quality images from a digital SLR the best camera is the one you have with you so I have instead found some ways to eek half way decent images from a standard point and shoot camera. First of all you need to turn off that flash. It isn’t going to do diddly squat in giving you enough light in a concert situation. Then you want to tell the camera that it doesn’t have to capture the scene as if it were outside in broad daylight.

Even from row 18 you can get some interesting images if you wait for the right lighting.

To do that find the exposure compensation control. It’s usually labeled as EV on the camera. Once you find it turn it down almost as far as it will go, somewhere around -1.5 to -1.75 will usually do. You also need to turn up the ISO to something higher than normal. Most current point and shoots will give acceptable results at ISO 800. Anything higher will probably be too noisy, but it depends on the particular camera being used.

Another example of some interesting cross lighting.

Now take some images and see if you are getting a fast enough shutter speed to stop most of the action. I find somewhere around 1/60th to 1/80th will usually work well enough. Without a faster lens and higher ISO this is about as good as you can expect. Sure, you will get some images that didn’t turn out, but after awhile you will start to see what scenes provide enough light to capture some decent images. Wait for those and you will come away with a decent set.

Dierks invited everyone to come on down which provided an opportunity to get some close up shots.

Of course the closer you can get the better, but that is not always an option. Learn to work with the opportunities you have and you should come away with some lasting memories.

Angles like this that include lighting and performers are always interesting.

For your next concert try the exposure compensation adjustment and see if you can come away with some memorable images.

All images we’re shot with a your basic point and shoot. A Canon SD1200IS. More images from the Dierks Bentley concert can be found in my Dierks Bentley – Island Resort Casino gallery.