In the moment; Photographing The iHeartRadio Music Festival

The only way I can really describe “being there” would be – total chaos.

Either you have FANS around you or you have PHOTOGRAPHERS around you.  Take your pick (no pun intended).  It can be pretty stressful shooting a concert.  In this example, the iHeartRadio Music Festival (2nd night), the pit (the area in front of/around the stage) was blocked off due to some added production this night.  This meant that anyone who was going to be in the pit that night is now in the first row essentially.  No good.  Too tight, too pressed against the ticketholders.  ( The most critical working person in this equation, in that area, would be the cameraman who is making the broadcast.  A still photographer often hasn’t a leg to stand on when it’s him or a cameraman who is shooting for the broadcast fyi).
Like I say all the time, don’t come back with excuses come back with pictures…   You gotta sometimes fight your way to “the shot” and this is a great example of that.

My photo at nearly the same moment.

So here’s the scene…  You can see me but the girl is blocking you from seeing my arm and camera.  Basically since I was close enough, wanted to avoid the monitor, and to catch Steven looking down, I extended my arm all the way out and fired upward.  It happens very fast; you have to make sure your settings are good to go – as well to know your focus is going to lock without you looking through the viewfinder.  Again this happens real fast!  Of note here is Kevin Mazur, a well known entertainment photographer and Director of the movie Sellebrity.  Take note of approximately how many smartphones are in the frame as well…

Same idea here.  Enrique Iglesias on stage with Pitbull.  Great moment when the confetti bomb goes off…

My shot a moment later…

So here we have virtually the same thing.  I have a more comfortable shooting position in this shot.  Still a ton of photographers as well as a gigapan set up on a tripod.  Look at all the smartphones again…It’s definitely a thrill shooting concerts like this but it’s also very very challenging.  You gotta get your shots quickly, steer clear of endless obstacles, and keep going…

A HUGE thank you to Jen Creason for taking these…  She shot them from her seat!!!  What a tremendous surprise it was when I got these!  Nobody ever takes photos of ME at these shows lol