Multi-talented creator Jeremy Cohen (@jermcohen) says that early into his photography career he figured out the ultimate life hack: concert photography. "It was the perfect excuse to be up close with my favorite artists, front and center, taking in the music while also on the job." Cohen has since covered a number of different live music events, from intimate shows to massive festivals, and has developed a go-to lightweight kit to capture the energy, emotion and excitement of live music from the pit and backstage. We caught up with Coen to find out more about how he captures the high energy of a live show with just a Sony Alpha 1 camera and two Sony G Master primes in his bag.
Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
–Sony Alpha 1
–Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master
–Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master
–Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master
–Sony UHS-II G TOUGH Series 128GB Memory Card
–Sony LinkBuds S
Camera
Sony Alpha 1: The Sony Alpha 1 is the best camera I have ever bought. It has a 50.1-megapixel full-frame sensor, and that with its incredible auto focus makes it the perfect camera to capture fast-moving performers with incredible accuracy! The image quality, low-light performance and dynamic range are impressive. Basically all of the specs of the Alpha 1 make for a great camera to capture concert moments with stunning detail and clarity, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Photo by Jeremy Cohen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/1.4, ISO 3200
When you're photographing live music, I would recommend utilizing the Alpha 1’s high-speed burst mode for capturing those fleeting moments of excitement and energy, ensuring that you never miss a crucial shot. This has helped me capture those in-between moments where anything can happen.
Photo by Jeremy Cohen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/2500-sec., f/1.4, ISO 125
Lenses
Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master: The Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master prime lens is a must have lens. Its the most versatile prime lens in my opinion- I love it for both landscape and portraits, and feel like I can show up to just about any situation and will be able to shoot with it. For concert photography, the focal length allows for a wide field of view for capturing dynamic shots that encompass the entire stage or capture the energy of the crowd.
Photo by Jeremy Cohen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/1.4, ISO 160
Having the aperture wide open at f/1.4 enables excellent low-light performance, and can maintain fast shutter speeds and freeze the action even in dimly lit concert venues. It also creates a shallow depth of field, which can be utilized to isolate the subject from the background, emphasizing the performers and creating beautiful bokeh effects.
Photo by Jeremy Cohen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/2500-sec., f/1.4, ISO 1000
Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master OR Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master: I switch between these two as my go-to lenses. I usually bring one or the other when I'm trying to pack super light. These lenses provide a longer reach, allowing me to capture intimate moments on stage or focus on individual performers from a distance. They ensure outstanding low-light performance and crisp shots even in challenging lighting situations.
Photo by Jeremy Cohen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/3200-sec., f/1.6, ISO 640
Since the 85mm and 135mm are longer focal lengths, they compress the perspective, emphasizing the performer and creating visually pleasing backgrounds.
Photo by Jeremy Cohen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master. 1/200-sec., f/1.8, ISO 1000
Accessories
HEX Ranger Blackout Camo Sling V2 Bag: This bag can easily carry two lenses and miscellaneous items (batteries, filters, cards, chargers, etc.) The one catch is this bag can't carry my actual camera as well as lenses, but I don’t mind as I’m holding my camera anyway. I like to wear it as either a sling, or like a fanny pack depending on my mood. I really like using this bag because I can easily get through crowds/small spaces and it doesn’t give me any backpain compared to any standard heavy camera backpack. Less is more!
Extra Battery: The Sony battery life is incredible, but if you're shooting all day and lots of photos, I would highly recommend bringing 1-2 spare batteries. And not to sound like your mother, but make sure you charge them the night before!
Sony UHS-II G TOUGH Series 128GB Memory Card: This is the fastest and most reliable card I’ve used. Buying an expensive memory card isn’t the most exciting purchase, but it goes a long way.
Photo by Jeremy Cohen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/1.8, ISO 6400
Sedremm 82mm Star Filter: Sometimes I like to whip out this star filter to give my images a little extra UUMPH. Depending on the setting and type of artist performing, you’ll know whether or not it’ll make sense to use this filter. It's a small, cheap, nice thing to keep in my bag.
Anker 621 Magnetic Battery: Not having a portable charger on your in 2023 is a rookie move! This charger I use, you don’t even need to have a cord.
Sony LinkBuds S: Packing these in my kit is VERY IMPORTANT. When you’re up close photographing music, the bass in some music these days can ruin your hearing! Take preventive measures by putting in some sort of noise cancelling item or device - I like to use my Linkbuds since I always have them on me anyway.
Conclusion
Investing in the right gear is essential for concert photographers, and the Sony Alpha 1 camera, coupled with the Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master and Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master or Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master prime lenses, are my personal favorite combinations. The Sony Alpha 1's advanced features, high-speed performance, and exceptional image quality make it a top choice for capturing the dynamic and fast-paced nature of concerts (not even mentioning its incredible video capabilities by the way – that's for another article!)
The Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master lens provides versatility, while the Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master or Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master lens offers a longer reach and stunning background separation. With this gear in your bag, you'll be well-equipped to capture unforgettable moments and convey the excitement and energy of live performances through your photographs.
See more of Jeremy Cohen's work on Instagram @jermcohen.
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