Gwen Stefani at Arco Arena. More images in slideshow at
conclusion of this article.
If you love the imagery that comes with a live music venue, you should enjoy this week’s profile of one of Sacramento’s renowned music and concert photographers. Kevin Graft has been photographing local area music venues for almost 30 years. If you are a big fan of rock music, and you frequent live performances on a regular basis, there is a good chance you are familiar with Kevin and his work. Camera-in-hand, or not, he is a fan of the genre as well.
Live performance photography is not the easiest form of art to capture successfully. It can be quite difficult to say the least. Action can be fast, lighting can be extremely limited, and wedging yourself into the perfect vantage point can often seem impossible. Possessing good technical skills, proper equipment, and the ability to adapt to the environment can improve your efforts tremendously.
Kevin recently broke his leg in a snowboarding accident, so I was able to take advantage of his diminished mobility and have him share a little Q&A with us. His interview follows:
At what point in your life did you realize photography would become a big part of your future?
It was at the end of my second year of college. I started out studying Electrical Engineering, but after two years I decided that my head didn't think that way. I was already doing a lot of photography, so I just started aiming my college studies even more in that direction.
I remember running into you at quite a few concerts in the mid 80’s. What was the first concert you documented with a camera, and did you have credentials?
The first concert I took a camera to was Scorpions and Iron Maiden at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. I was 14 or 15...I think it was 1982. I didn't have credentials. This was back when you could still take a camera into concerts. It ended up being a crushing experience. I barely knew how to use the camera and it had a case on it. My dad set the camera for me, and every time I put the case on and off, it changed the shutter speed. By the end of the night I was taking 30 seconds exposures. When I got the pictures back, there was nothing but light streaks. Boy was I bummed. Later on, it seemed to influence my images. I have always been turned on by lots of wild color and movement in my images.
What brief words of advice could you offer someone who is getting started in photographing live music venues?
Number one, is to own a fast lens. Aperture 2.8 or faster. Also, introduce yourself to people like band members and venue staff. They will make your life easier.
Scenario: Big concert at the Arco Arena tonight. You have your Photo Pass, unlimited access, and you have just walked through the gate into the arena. Describe the equipment you are carrying.
My main camera is a Canon EOS 1Dmk2. My main concert lens is the 70-200 2.8 IS. My second lens is the 24-70. I also bring a fish eye lens. You never know when you can make use of it. I also always have a second or third body with me. I usually shoot with two bodies, but I've been known to shoot with three if the conditions call for it.
Who are your favorite photographers, living and/or dead?
Chip Simons -- wild use of colors and fish eyes. Philipe Halsman. He did a lot of wacky work with Picaso.
Ross Halfin. Biggest rock photog in the world, still shoots for every big band there is. Cut his teeth in the late 70's touring the USA with UFO. Built his career being the main photog for Iron Maiden and later Metallica.
You have obviously been to many music venues. If you were to put your camera down and suggest one show everyone should see as a fan, who would it be and why?
In the past 5 years, hands down, I would say Green Day. For a couple of punks from the Bay Area, they have become the greatest arena rock act. They bring the big show, lights, visuals, props and they make the crowd part of the show; Bringing 5-10 people on stage at different points. Their average show is two and a half hours and they are never boring. A close second, this year, would be KISS. They have finally re-captured their crown as a great live act.
Is there any style or type of photography that you haven’t tried but would like to try?
No, I've done just about everything in the last 25 years. All I really want to do is just travel to exotic far away places -- and maybe capture a few images while I'm there.
What is one of the strangest things you have witnessed at a music venue?
Strangest -- probably the turf war that started on the field at Day on the Green with Metallica. People started tearing up the outfield [turf] and throwing it. One of the coolest things was seeing a guy that was in a wheel chair end up crowd surfing at a Papa Roach show at the Empire. Both him and the chair were surfing separately. The worst thing was watching a flying M-80 explode about 6 inches from someone's ear at a day on the green...knocked them flat and probably destroyed their eardrum.
What are three general suggestions (physical or technical) that could improve results for someone photographing a low-light music venue?
Pray that there is some sort of decent light to work with. Use the fastest shutter speed possible with the amount of light you have. Use a fast ISO. I live at 1600. People like to complain about [image] noise which I believe to be absolutely idiotic. Noise is nothing more than film grain, which I've dealt since day one of my photography.
Ok last question… What makes a good photographer in your opinion?
A good photographer, to me, is someone that sees past the norm and uses their skill to capture that vision.
Some of Kevin Graft's many clients include 98 Rock, Flash 92.1, and KWOD 106.5.
For more info: See more of Kevin Graft's photos at RokFoto.com.
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