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Getting the Best Shot

You could have the most elaborate die cuts, stickers, stamps and rub ons, but if your photos stink, then your entire scrapbook layout will be compromised.

I know this from experience because I wanted desperately to construct a layout to showcase my memorabilia from a summer concert I attended featuring the Goo Goo Dolls. It was an evening concert that took place outdoors, and while I had a decent seat and cameras were permitted, I came away with pitiful looking shots.

The biggest issues that face concertgoers trying to shoot the main act are lighting and resolution. It is nearly impossible to capture decent photos of your favorite band on stage without a DSLR camera, especially if you are shooting in a large venue. Unfortunately, I was shooting with a small point-and-shoot version which did not come equipped with the features needed to take clear images from my seat (which was rather far from the stage) in low-light situations.

To get the best shot when shooting in a low-light situation set your camera’s ISO at 1600. Doing so will eliminate the pixelated effect. Next, make sure you have a decent zoom. This is especially important if you don’t have front-row seats. In addition, it helps if your camera comes equipped with image stabilization. You need it when you are shooting from the middle of a mosh pit 20 rows back from the stage.

Shutter speed is also an issue when shooting concerts. You risk blurring your images if you use a shutter speed less than 1/50 second. Consider shooting at slower speeds, such as 1/30 or even 1/15 of a second. In addition, you’ll want to use your camera’s manual mode and adjust your camera’s aperture. When shooting decent concert photos to include in a scrapbook layout, you want the aperture set wide open, to let in as much light as possible.

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About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.