Below is a curated selection of tools, guides, and communities that are useful for photographers at any stage.
1. Free Lightroom Presets
Post-processing plays a major role in live music photography. Free Lightroom presets can help speed up your workflow and offer new stylistic starting points for your edits.
Useful free preset packs include:
- Photography Tonight free Lightroom presets
- Gerasy Movailona free concert presets
- Matty Vogel free concert presets
- How to Become a Rockstar Photographer free Lightroom presets
These presets work best as a base, allowing you to adjust contrast, color, and exposure to suit your own style.
2. Online Tutorials for Camera Settings
Getting your camera settings right is essential for sharp and well-exposed concert photos. These guides explain how to approach shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and autofocus in challenging lighting conditions.
Recommended reads:
- Choosing the right camera settings for concert photography
- Concert photography settings for beginners by How to Become a Rockstar Photographer
- Must know camera settings for concert photography
These resources are particularly useful for photographers shooting their first shows or adapting to a new camera system.
3. Concert Photography References and Inspiration
Studying strong concert photography is one of the best ways to develop your eye. Seeing how others frame performers, handle lighting, and capture atmosphere can spark new ideas.
Good reference lists include:
- 30 Amazing Examples of Concert Photography by The Photo Argus
- Top music and event photographers of all time
Use these as inspiration and focus on techniques rather than comparison.
4. Communities and Forums
Learning from other photographers can accelerate progress far faster than working alone. Online communities are useful for asking questions, sharing work, and learning from real-world experience.
Helpful spaces include:
These forums often cover topics like pit etiquette, venue rules, and dealing with difficult lighting setups.
5. Free Online Portfolio Builders
Having a place to showcase your work is essential when applying for photo passes or reaching out to publications.
Free portfolio platforms worth exploring:
Both options allow you to present your work cleanly without needing web development skills.
6. Facebook Groups
Facebook groups remain a useful place to connect with photographers worldwide, share experiences, and keep up with industry discussions.
Recommended groups:
With these free resources at your disposal, improving as a concert photographer becomes far more accessible. Practice often, learn from others, and enjoy capturing live music as it happens.
