 BetterPhoto Member |
How Can I Get A Press Pass? I go to a lot of concerts and at one I attended I brought my N80 but was I told that I couldn't use it. The other people in the crowd had point and shoot cameras and there were people beyond the barrier that had their SLRs so I would like to know how I can become one of those peopole beyond the barrier - do I need a press pass? And how do I obtain one?
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John A. Lind |
Matt, One of the likely reasons is an N80 with the proper lens and film can get imagery that those with P&S's can't. The guards don't know the difference between lenses and certainly don't know what film you're using. A concert, although open to a *paying* public, is actually a private event. The performers and concert promoters own image rights of the performance and location where it's held. They can allow or prohibit cameras "at will" including doing so selectively without having to explain any rationale about their decisions. At concerts with "name" performers (well-known at least regionally), getting a press pass to get past the barrier requires having a "name" as a concert photographer working for major publications, or as a "free lance" that is hired by major publications for specific concerts, and has photos routinely published by them (this includes major newspapers). Some publications have their own photography staff, and some hire "free lance" concert photographers to shoot specific concerts. Non-professionals are not going to get a press pass unless they personally know one of the performers and can wangle one that way. The competition among major professionals in getting press passes is very, very stiff. They often have problems getting them. The bigger the names of the performers, the bigger the problem gaining access. For major concerts with "big name" performers, there are many pros with excellent credentials competing for comparatively very few press passes. If you want to do concert photography at major concerts, you'll have to become a professional that gets hired as by a magazine or newspaper to shoot specific concerts. There's a good book about how to do concert photography and break into the business: _Concert_Photography_ by Jon Sievert. He's one of the "biggest names" in the business. Everything I've seen written about breaking into this type of work lays out essentially the same path: starting out small doing photographs of no-name locals at no-name local clubs. These photos are used to build a portfolio to demonstrate ability. Then, the photographer gradually works up from there if the photos are good enough. Expect a lot of tough competition. Good Luck,
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Carl Schulz |
John, The info you gave anwsered some questions I had but I have a couple more. For smaller events how would one get a press pass? Is it the venue youe need to contact, the even organizer or the acts? How far in advance should one begin the process of getting a pass? I found some places on the internet that sell press credentials. I assume they are useless in the real world.
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