BEST FILM STOCKS TO SHOOT AT CONCERTS

Capturing the energy and excitement of a concert on film is one of my favorite things to do! Shooting on 35mm film can add an extra layer of nostalgia and authenticity to the images I take at a show, but choosing the right film stock can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what the lighting will be like. In my experience shooting concerts, I have tried many different film stocks and I have picked out five of my favorites to talk about. In this blog post, I will discuss four different 35mm film stocks that are my go-to’s for concert photography!

KODAK T-MAX P3200

Kodak T-max P3200 is a high-speed panchromatic black and white film stock that can handle low-light situations with ease. It has a unique grain structure and produces rich blacks and bright whites that can add drama and mood to concert photos. Using Kodak T-max P3200 at a concert helps me to produce stunning images with plenty of detail, capturing the energy and excitement of the event without having to worry about difficult lighting conditions. The heavy grain structure adds a vintage feel and makes it perfect for giving your photos a grungy feel.

Uncle Ty performing at a BYU Surf Fundraiser in front of Bowls Superfoods, Provo, Utah

CINESTILL 800T

Cinestill 800T is a versatile film stock that is perfect for capturing fast-moving performers in low-light situations. It can produce vibrant color images with a retro feel, and is known for its halations. This can make the musicians look larger than life with a faint halo in certain lighting situations. Its fine grain structure can help produce sharp images with plenty of detail, but are most exciting to use in venues that have lots of different colored lighting. Using Cinestill 800T at a concert can add an extra layer of excitement and energy to the images, and it is one of my favorites to capture the mood and atmosphere of the event in a unique way.

Just Khakis playing at The Boardwalk, Orem, Utah

KODAK TRI-X 400

Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black and white film stock that has been used by generations of photographers. This film has a high-speed rating of ISO 400, making it suitable for low-light situations. Tri-X 400 produces a classic and timeless look, with rich blacks and bright whites that can add drama and mood to concert photos. This film is my favorite to experiment with, especially with more contemporary techniques like long exposure images of musicians. I also love pairing this film with a flash as it has such a beautiful fine grain with rich tones!

Shakey Graves performing at the Twilight Concert Series, SLC, Utah

KODAK PORTRA 400

Kodak Portra 400 is a versatile film stock that can handle a wide range of lighting situations. This film has an ISO rating of 400, making it fairly suitable for low-light conditions. Portra 400 produces warm and natural skin tones, making it a popular choice for portrait photography and in my opinion: concert photography. Its fine grain structure can help produce sharp images with plenty of detail, capturing the mood and atmosphere of a concert in a beautiful and authentic way. Although this film really can hold its own in low-light conditions, I think this film always turns out best in venues with lots of ambient lighting. This adds to the mood in such a great way, and the true to life colors do wonders!

Del Water Gap performing at The Shredder, Boise, Idaho

SO NOW WHAT?

Choosing the right film stock for concert photography can be daunting, but experimenting with different films has led me to find exciting and unexpected results. Kodak T-max P3200, Cinestill 800T, Kodak Tri-X 400, and Kodak Portra 400 are my favorite film stocks for capturing the energy and excitement of a concert on film. Each film has its unique qualities and can produce stunning images in their own way. With black & white and color film choices, you are all set to go and shoot your next concert, so go and have fun with it! I can’t wait to see what you create <3