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Anonymous
Hey /p/hotographers.

How do you go about getting press passes for shows? I've tried emailing the opening bands, talking to them at shows and the like, but nothing is working. Its also hard, cause I live right in NYC, so anyone that plays there has a huge ego/head and thinks they can do better than a beginner/amateur photographer.

Any tips? How do you do it?

Pic related, took it at a local show at my friends apartment a few days ago. CC is welcome.
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>> Anonymous
I got started by going to venues I liked. I got to know people there, the bands that were there. One day I mentioned to the booking agent I was a photographer and I asked if I could shoot for fun sometime. I told him I would give him a CD and they could use them for promos or whatever. I went and shot the next day, had a CD for them the following day and by the end of the week I was hired as staff photographer for the place. It kicked ass.

Slowly but surely I started doing more and more shows, got asked by name from bands and customers who went there.

If you are looking to just get experience, find out which bands are playing and where, e-mail them and ask if you can shoot to expand your portfolio and they will get a free CD of all images. Or talk to owners of places, they won't all say no. I promise.

Shoot your friends or there friends playing, anywhere. Even if you don't have friends that play, getting someone to pretend playing guitar that looks good in portfolio/samples and will help get people wanting you to shoot them.
>> Anonymous
i would suggest blowing yourself.
>> Anonymous
>>299859
This man couldn't be anymore wrong.
You have to be a dick to the band, charge in when they are trying to practice (prier to this charge, you should stalk them for at least a month, make sure they don't have guns) then you should go ape shit, say you're going to an hero if you can't take pictures, or even shot the drummer in the foot.
That should work.
>> Anonymous
>>299866
Don't listen to this idiot.
Just go to the shows before they start (sneak in back stage), say you demand "a collective rumbling in america, I've lost my house." Automatically then you should get on your knees, poor the peach jam you brought with you, poor the bottle all over and shove the jar up your anus.
Then, take out your penis, and pee on a lady near by, making sure you aim for the eyes.
THEY WILL LOVE YOU!
>> Anonymous
>>299866
>>299870
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!
>> Anonymous
>>299870

>poor the peach jam you brought with you
>poor the bottle all over and shove the jar up your anus.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>299879
What's wrong with trolls these days?
>> Anonymous
>>299884
Nothing. I love them like I love your mother . . .
>> Anonymous
>>299884

The more incorrect sentences they make, the funnier the trolling.
>> Anonymous
Just know a band, OP. Everything falls into place from there.

If that doesn't work, both these approaches sound sensible:

>>299866
>>299870.

But whatever you do, don't do>>299859. That sort of shit will get you a restraining order and a stay in a mental hospital.

The picture is good and straightforward, but FFS don't strobe bands, especially directly, but either way don't. A longer focal length would've been better, too, I think, to eliminate the clutter up top and have a little more natural perspective, something like a 24 or 28. Crowds only work when stuff comes together visually; wait for the "decisive moment" etc. etc. The fucker in the middle at the top who looks like he's in the throes of either orgasm or taking a shit is the big problem.
>> Anonymous
>>299856

Yo, OP, how did the drums sound like?
>> Anonymous
>>299924
Like a Gretsch Catalina Club Mod
>> Anonymous
>>299866
>>299870

awesome posts. I can tell your in a band. cool guys. go get fucking drunk and take your fucking shirt off some more when you play. Apart from the one guy thats too fucking ashamed of his fat flaccid chest.

>>299919

lol your a fucking moron saying not to use a flash at gigs. bands love having their photos taken most of them have a fucking ego and want to be uber famous so want all the photos ppl can take of them. your also a bigger retard for calling them strobes. this is a new fad that a bunch of idiot teenage amateur photographers have picked up on.
>> Anonymous
The same way the band got the gig: make a press kit, be professional. Be easy to reach, have samples of your photos in your press kit, etc.
>> sage rage !3I4SJbCh8M
>>300140
hush, child. the grownups are talking.
>> ANTMY !qDIAcd3vJM
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Alight OP, first of all never talk to a band about getting a pass. Messaging a bands myspace or some shit will get you no where, because they have no control over it.

Photo passes are usually issued by tour. So you NEED to contact either the tour manager, or one of the bands public relations person. Email them with a polite message about why you want to take pictures, and ask what dates are available.

The most important thing to remember when requesting a photo pass is that you need to contact someone a month in advance. Record labels, or tour managers are busy people and usually wont read your email for a week or two.

good luck
pic related, its my next photo pass.

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>> Anonymous
>>300216

OP here, thanks for the advice, ill try it out. Have fun shooting ATL, I saw them a few months ago, they put on a great show.
>> Anonymous
btw, if you are at a big show, say where the bouncers hang in front of the crowd. near the huge speakers.

wear earplugs, that shit is loud