As far as the pros go, I like the idea of professional photographers snapping off a few shots at the start of a show and then retreating for the rest. I have far more patience for what they do than I do for amateurs desperate to document every single second of a set.

i am actually not anti-photographer at all. i have been pretty active at that in the past. but yeah, it’s exactly as you described: a mix of amateurs who aren’t thinking beyond their own shutter and then the asshole pros. i love concert photography and am by no means arguing we do away with it. i guess the bottom line would be: pictures of a show are about #723823 on my list of most important things to be done at a concert. but yet the behavior of those doing the photography would make it seem like THEY are all that matters. clearly the folks who actually like the music and are there for that reason should take priority.

Speaking as someone who loves photography just about as much as she loves music…. I have mixed emotions concerning your judgement of photographers. Unfortunately, the digital age has brought to surface a mass of those who take photographs unlike the few of us who were taking film photographs back in the day. There is a flood of “picture takers” and this has left those who photograph for passion the minority.

As a photographer, I too get annoyed with those who are inconsiderate to others around them enjoying the music. After all, that is why we are all there. The photographer’s goal is to capture that moment for others to enjoy who may not have been there…. but all to many times, their motivation is selfish. You are correct in saying that all they care about it “getting the shot”. These are the picture takers. Not the photographers. True photographers (and in MY opinion those who photograph MUSIC) will take in the show and watch for those vital moments that make the concert special and most and foremost, should be considerate of those around… and that includes the band themselves!

I’m sorry that you’ve had to deal with the obnoxious flash at a show (which, again in my opinion, should only be used at a show if absolutely necessary as a result of very poor light) or had to deal with the photographer who feels his badge or pass gives him/her more rights than you… That does give us true passionate photographers a bad name. I enjoy watching a photographer who can capture a show without you even realizing that they are there….

And to add to the comment made above about more people watching an event through a camera then actually WATCHING… well, unfortunately, I’ve been doing that pretty much my whole life. I view pretty much everything I care about through the eye of the lens…. :/ BUT, I love capturing life and my reasons for doing so are for no other reason than to make a moment last forever….

I guess the digital age has made picture taking so much easier than it has been for people in the past!

I couldn’t agree with you more on points 7 and 10. If a band doesn’t want to introduce themselves why are they up on stage? Why not stay in the practice room/basement. Really, if the cats got their tongue the easiest way to say who they are is to get their logo or band name NICE and BIG on the bass drum. Easy.

As for ear plugs. I had some specially made by an ear doctor who poured a heap of wax down my ear and they reduced the sound 25db across the board and they fit snug. They set me back $AU180 at the time, but considering I had them for about 15 years it was money well spent. I still have tinnitus but it could be really worse if it wasn’t for them and I need to get some more made. The foam ones are ok, but I find take all the ‘top’ out of the sound.