Tuska Festival
June 29
Since the head photographer couldn’t make it on the last day of the festival, I was given the opportunity to step in and replace him last day of Tuska Festival. Most of the main shots had already been captured, so my main task was to get some shots of highlights and “good vibes”.
Conditions were far from ideal — strong winds and a clear blue sky made shooting difficult. I was working with a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K mounted on a DJI RS2 gimbal, using a speed-boosted Sigma 18–35mm f/2.8 lens, same lightweight setup I usually run with. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any ND filters with me.
I’ve written before about the downsides of shooting in harsh light without ND filters, and I ran into the same challenge again this time.
I filmed some footage of the bands Polaris and Lorna Shore, experimenting with a variety of shots and dynamic camera moves. I only wish I’d brought a tighter lens. In my opinion, the 70–200mm range is optimal for concerts, even in low-light conditions—depending on the camera sensor.
The final footage came out a bit flat and washed out — not quite the look I usually aim for. I tend to prefer a shallower depth and more contrast in my images.
So far, I haven’t received any feedback or criticism on the shots — at least not yet. Maybe it’s not as bad as I think, but right after that shoot, I finally bought some ND filters. Hopefully, they’ll save me the trouble next time.
Thanks Feelm Creative for the gig, and thanks Andrew O’Connor from Lorna Shore for the guest tickets.
Some of the concerts were broadcast live on national television and streaming services. You can check them out using the following link: https://areena.yle.fi/1-74636386 or https://youtu.be/GWGwZ8QRwK0?si=ZQDEgSKMv_Ue3p2Z
