Concerts

OMNI Creative Filter for Concert Photography with Skylar Watkins

OMNI Creative Filter for Concert Photography with Skylar Watkins

OMNI Filter for Concert Photography

Photographer and concert enthusiast Skylar Watkins shares her tips for creating unique concert photography with the OMNI Filter.


Idk about y’all, but I’ve been missing live music SO MUCH. I went from going to 3-4 concerts a week (at least), to absolutely nothing for the last 6 months. Because I’ve been missing shows, I thought I’d write a blog post showing how I use my Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter Kit when I photograph concerts.

Courtney Barnett - Canon 6D, Canon 24-70 2.8, ISO 1600, f2.8, 1/200 with OMNI Filter

I absolutely love using prisms in my concert photography. It can add something completely unexpected to your photos, and makes your photos stand out. Here are some tips for using the Lensbaby Omni system while shooting live music.


"Generally, when you’re shooting a concert, you have the first 3 songs to get your photos."


Drug Church - Canon 6D, Canon 24-70 2.8, ISO 1250, f2.8, 1/200 with OMNI Filter

Generally, when you’re shooting a concert, you have the first 3 songs to get your photos. I usually divide my time by song. For one song I’ll shoot completely normally, without any prisms or filters, then in the next song I’ll use a specific filter or attachment, and for the next song, I’ll switch and use a new one. This allows me to get a good range of effects within the photos I’m taking.

Fredo Disco - Canon 6D, Canon 24-70 2.8, ISO 1600, f2.8, 1/250 with OMNI Filter

Because of the fast-paced nature of shows, I usually use the Omni attachments handheld instead of mounting them to my camera. This gives me more flexibility to quickly change which crystal or attachment I’m using in the moment and also lets me slide the attachments right into my pocket instead of having to carry a big with me in the photo pit.

Greyson Chance - Canon 6D, Canon 24-70 2.8, ISO 2000, f2.8, 1/200 with OMNI Filter

React and adapt. The lighting can change really quick joy at a show. A lot of things reformers are moving constantly too. You might only have a second to get that amazing shot. Staying alert is one of the most important things. You have to be ready to add your prism into a shot (or take it out) really quickly.

Have Mercy - Canon 6D, Canon 24-70 2.8, ISO 2500, f2.8, 1/250 with OMNI Filter

Hopefully these tips were helpful, and hopefully we’ll all have a chance to get back to it soon!


Motion City Soundtrack - Canon 6D, Canon 24-70 2.8, ISO 1250, f2.8, 1/250 with OMNI Filter
Selfish Things - Canon 6D, Canon 24-70 2.8, ISO 1250, f2.8, 1/250 with OMNI Filter

Skylar Watkins

Skylar Watkins is a cinematographer and photographer based in Philadelphia, PA. Although she’s known as The Sad Punk, Skylar has photographed a variety of musicians across genres. She’s also the editor-in-chief of Sad Punk Press. Her other photographic work focuses on fashion and portraiture, both on location and in studio.
 
Website: www.skylarwatkins.com 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesadpunk_ 
Facebook www.facebook.com/skylarwatkinsmedia 

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