Vineet

Hello and welcome back to Photosynthesis, individual's podcast where we talk to some of the most creative minds in India about the art, the culture, the skill, the technique behind photography and videography. Today we're going to delve into event and concert photography with Adib Raza, a young but fairly prolific videographer who's covered all kinds of events. He's done lot of travel videography and photography, concerts, events, a lot of corporate work also. And we're going to go deep into the motivation, the skills involved in shooting concerts. Hi Adib!

 ADEEB RAZA

Hello, Vineet. How are you?

 Vineet

Welcome, welcome, welcome. Good to have you on the show.

 ADEEB RAZA

Thank you so much for having me here.

 Vineet

And man, your Insta profile is super impressive, the kind of stuff you've covered. And what's been your most memorable event that you've covered? Let's just start with that.

 Vineet

You can pick two.

 ADEEB RAZA

thank you. So first one is Marshmallow is India tour, which I covered in Delhi only. the second one will be a college fest called NG fest, which is in DTU. There's a college in Aroni DTU Delhi technical university. It was their regular yearly college fest kind of thing. So that was my favorite.

Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Okay.

 Vineet

Yes, you a wide range of One is Marshmallow and one College Fest. Why? Why are all these memorable?

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah, call it. The range, the grandness of that fest was like unbelievable. There's a college. There is one more college called IIIT. They hosted like their college first on a grand level, but in their competition, they hosted more grand on more grand level. So it was like a good platform for me to shoot there.

 Vineet

Any more?

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

when you say grand, so this is an interesting one, because people also to convey this. If someone an event, a lot of events want to convey themselves as, a very grand event. Right? That is also, that becomes your job as the photographer slash videographer for an event. Firstly, do you prefer the photo part or the video part?

 ADEEB RAZA

Okay.

 ADEEB RAZA

Mm -hmm. Yeah.

 ADEEB RAZA

So the main thing I is photography I like to capture the artist, their movement, their actions Video part is like not for me that much but You record I much So I can't process So it's useful for But photos are like my primary So I capture in events

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

So let's stick to the photos part then part of your job as the photographer as the event photographer becomes to show this as grand as huge as epic. What are the elements in that? How do you so what made you feel that this event is grand? Was it the audience size? Was it the number of things going on? What made you feel that this college event was grand and how do you convey that?

 ADEEB RAZA

so like we it into parts like first part is stage how grand the stage it is and the second is the list like the artist list the line up like what kind artist is in which genre mostly they rely or then Paula and the third is the audience like what type is

 Vineet

and

 ADEEB RAZA

In college festivals, the audience is mostly students so they have to have So they weird things like, last year we a festival, NSOT is Dwarka So it college festival, 3 days festival and our day's artist was Raftaar So there is a guy, Narpaddeep, my friend who flies FPV Like you know FPV right? The drone So he was flying his FPV

 Vineet

I'm

 ADEEB RAZA

so what happened was kids hit bottles

 Vineet

This my mother, seriously.

 ADEEB RAZA

So they that something was flying in something flying at a like everyone have but the FPB was not there yet. So he was 2 -3 times the kids hit the bottle and he was But when the song of the last some kid aimed and hit the bottle. And the bottle hit him. Now the FPB fell, the kid picked up, the can and took away. So like, even if 2 lakhs was there. Single FPB.

 Vineet

Wow!

 ADEEB RAZA

It catch it, it have GPS in FPV mostly We track it

 Vineet

Wow. And event insurance.

 ADEEB RAZA

so this also scene FPV custom so its insurance serial number they build on their own so these things are and the festivals like Zoma Land, Lollapalooza those festivals are mostly crowded, a subtle way of crowd like those who to also like those who to have fun way like those something not they come mostly couples come like

 Fun is that there brands and artists performing and they enjoy their time their drink then enjoy their food. with Another festival is food festival. Coca Cola and Swiggy is

So in festival, the area where they are the festival, like Kolkata or Delhi, the local food vendors or big chains approach and set their stalls there. Then the crowd goes to review the explore and their food. So all these things happen.

 Vineet

So, one is that these people are more organized. Now, I am like... December, am going to see Brian Adams spending 11 ,000 rupees. There is no chance I am going to take any trouble to him I can't Right, so I am going see him out.

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah, in terms of festivals.

 ADEEB RAZA

No, no. 11 ,000 is like, I think the basic charge. 11 ,000 if you're paying 11 ,000 for a festival, I think this is just a normal charge. Like it's not a VIP thing or kind of thing.

 Vineet

It's good?

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

This is the platinum. So basically they're starting from four all the way to up to right.

 ADEEB RAZA

So you must have purchased before. Right? Yes, so as the festival passes, it 50 ,000. Now Karan Naujla is on an India tour in Delhi. I think Delhi has announced 2 shows. Third is in progress. Both shows are sold out. It's so high.

 Vineet

Yeah, that's it.

 Vineet

I he the 15th floor already.

 Vineet

Yeah.

 Vineet

But now, at some point the audience crosses over that I have so money, I won't you. I'll have two drinks and I'll enjoy myself. You are spending 50 ,000 rupees, I own this bloody place. Who are you to You would have to do all kinds of things.

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah, like

 ADEEB RAZA

some people that they themselves superior and they paid money and they will whatever want so those things happen but mostly is management who figure out and security too so no thing bust out but college festivals how many kids will stop? college festivals barricading breaks down, college there is a mosh pit in do mosh pit? so they mosh pit

 I want an interesting fact. In Delhi, last October, was a Coca Cola festival. Post Festival. Siddha Moth Siddha Moth is a kind a masquerade. They make people do it That's their are.

 Vineet

Huh.

 Vineet

to work with good television.

 ADEEB RAZA

they said lets do a mosh pit and i was in the audience i was middle mosh pit

 Vineet

mean, tension and potential. But actually, aren't you in the mosh pit? Like, too close? Like, I would imagine, see, ideal mosh pit, when the artist is on top, above with a drone. Right. That's idea. But it's very difficult. Like, manage opportunity, it's very difficult.

 ADEEB RAZA

Ha, short, tug of war.

 ADEEB RAZA

Huh, yeah.

 It starts out Now who if the artist will point out that we will from here. That audience will not do But the other side is audience is already ready to start.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

People here 50 ,000 rupees. Who are you to that?

 ADEEB RAZA

It's to They can Anything happens You can't predict that it will well or whatever is planned. It can't Something will

 Vineet

So technically how do you manage? So in fact, I come back to There are still many facets left. Technically, I am in the the mos pit. Right, now that artist is little above your So all you can see is, maybe you are trying to his face. But what lens did you have? it a very wide angle?

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah.

 ADEEB RAZA

like in events we two lenses mostly all the photographers use one is wide lens whether it is a fisheye lens or like telephoto type of variable focal length lens or 16 -28mm wide lens which wide to mid range and the second one is 70 -200mm like close ups

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

One cake is for night concert.

 ADEEB RAZA

2 .8 is enough, our cameras can their ISO and lighting is also We don't have to shadow, we light according to the If the highlight is getting contrast is ready We shots, problem, we edit, possible we will clear the Or else it is, by the lights

 Vineet

One thing I missed now is if at concert photos 15 ago when ISO was not such a good thing, right? mean ISO capability of Grain, Grain was aesthetic Now they all Grain, Denoise, Adobe Lightroom Denoise, so remove it, clean it, something gets missed

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah.

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah

 ADEEB RAZA

I almost 1 lakh photos ISo When I Sony A7III, when you 4000, grains start in low light But still 1 lakh photos and enhanced in Adobe Lightroom Mostly I I 60 % and I very good results % My picture was clear, grains were

Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

 Vineet

In fact, we like that. We like that here on the photos. I want to see because one lakh, if I go about 25 ,000, this is completely. Yeah. So now coming back to the aesthetic part. One is how do you figure key?

 Vineet

this is speed, this aesthetic, this college fest, do convey this Second is the grand part which comes down to, how the emotion of the audience who was it? How do you capture that in a photo?

 ADEEB RAZA

Okay.

 ADEEB RAZA

So like the college fest we are doing, our motive is to the college, not just for for So in we white shots, show a picture like this, so that college students and artists are and also a good vibe. So this our college fest, so that get glimpse in in videos and photos.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

And the festivals we we it for the artists only. We focus on the artists and we use it Like establishing shots, wide shots of the stage. So mostly we focus

 Vineet

Okay, but artists also have an aesthetic sense. How I convey One thing is that I concert well. Right, which comes back to grand. have to show that it an epic scale. And that also happens that even if it's a small audience of you are using all tricks to make it look big. Right, that is a part of it. But do you...

 Do any history or homework before going for the event based on the artist.

 ADEEB RAZA

it depends on the artist's vibe how the artist performs take king king's performance is very energetic

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Yeah.

 Vineet

I am 44 now, I have no idea.

 ADEEB RAZA

Ok no problem, he is my favorite I have covered almost 4 of his concerts till now So he a devotee on stage, can he can't at place He A point and B point And he jumping, water jumping, etc. So our plan for is to follow him Follow him wherever he goes

Vineet

Yeah.

 ADEEB RAZA

And his actions shots very good Like he is his and jumping So his actions are very And his facial expression is very strong Like till now, the live performances I King's And the second one is if he slow, then Talvinder

Vineet

Thanks.

 ADEEB RAZA

I hope you have

 Vineet

I think it's a young man again 44 years old, I don't know.

 ADEEB RAZA

So like his is little soothing, he can stand and sing at Anubhjan is Anubhjan is mostly sitting there with his chair and guitar and mic So we them in center mostly We don't to tease we their placement Now they one place, so we can them So we make there mostly

that the artist should visible, the environment should visible with the audience, the shot be and then we try to the close -ups good because they are mostly still so we can try to do it, take one shot and it but we the action shots, the NSG people we to moment according to them

 Vineet

And energy, like how have you seen? So I was speaking to this concert photographer, Megan Cutty. Do know him? I met him at Magnetic Fields basically. He says that energy wise, what we try is to do is the 3rd 5th That in the two songs, they are still building energy. Then they are at their peak and after that maybe they get tired. Some artists are full energetic till Some tired. So if you to capture then...

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah.

 Vineet

Somewhere between the around half an hour mark is what he had mentioned.

 ADEEB RAZA

Like when 60 % of event is set of the artist then it at the peak. Like if you done 6 songs out then it will start at peak of It will definitely build that environment and vibe will in the audience, it hype. Then it its main songs. And mostly the artists that I seen, the end and the energy. Like their most favorite or most...

 popular songs are at end mostly artists do it at this time which I have observed so they at the end so it's not that at beginning we will keep it's okay, it's new, it's how much range can it then we decide to and after half set then we decide according to the actions announced

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

And how did you get here? So as we were discussing, so of course you do a lot of corporate work, right? Pays the bills, of course. Corporate work is interesting work is and also you had said that concerts are a season. Delhi for example, winter because summers are just too damn hot. Right? Not possible. So how did you get here?

 ADEEB RAZA

Mm

 Not possible.

 Vineet

I a photography season. Is it more out of a love for music? A love for events? How did you get here? Because concert photography is specialization. There corporate photographers. of product photographers. There of event photographers. But concert photographers. Like in my general experience. Right? So how did you get here?

 ADEEB RAZA

Great, obviously.

 ADEEB RAZA

So like starting photography, which all do, weddings, easy to access. I used my friend. I the journey of how I photography. It will start from understand. So like back in 2020, when lockdown was on.

 Vineet

As an assistant, this is otherwise right.

 Vineet

wait, lockdown. You are the fourth person in a row who photography in a

 ADEEB RAZA

My uncle must have you

 Vineet

Yes, a maternity photographer, Muskaan said the same. One hand model said the same. So yeah, you're the fifth person in a row.

 ADEEB RAZA

What?

 Okay?

 Okay.

 So lockdown was, photography I since 2016, I had a small Redmi Note 3 So I used capture it, the were I a shot Then it used to a pic start, I edited nice color, upload it there So it was going on like this, posted photo in full leaves, little more, all these things

 Vineet

Good.

 ADEEB RAZA

So when the lockdown started, I much work to I mostly Instagram, watching and exploring I connected I found a lot of photographers. So I thought photography is also a career. Like Phoolpatti or Limited. There are things to So I following

 I started them and started to When there was I was they were free too So they used to FFA, free for all Like where they used and audience used to that you edit and post And then we decide that who's best picture is good So I used to too Slowly people connecting Then they live sessions Like the crack at 10

 So 4 -5 am there was a live session going live session there were only 3 -5 people, like anything was on, just talking, pulling his leg, his ball, anything was going on So I used that, and I was age wise, I was like yes I to have so I it very interesting, so I started regularly, started good, like below Then there was Guneet Paji

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA (

He my comments and he complimented and offered me to his The audience also yes, bring Jiddi. So once I the live session, the comments were just opposite to Like the time, he was like...

 Vineet

I missed it.

 ADEEB RAZA

He is so free in what happened here? He is anything. Then he understood that he asked I think my was 17 or 16. Then he that this is the one Then my 12th is over. Then I told that I to photography. Because I any other option. I was interested I told him. Then my father said...

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

Delhi is ok but I will Delhi to Sir at that you there photography only or go educational purpose only not that you and try I said ok then I Delhi, there was an institute in I joined that joining that there was also a lot of studio lighting and

 I introduced them to and there a where teachers were changing months This was scene So I ideas there but the here, the one that I connections on back in lockdown time So I started exploring like I started them So I to strengthen with them I them and they offered me that if want to then a live experience

 You come with us Then I assisting them, learning Then in December I purchased my camera, kit, everything So then as I to assist them, I started with them Like in team Now gradually weddings got Then fashion came, were connections of Then fashion got tried, tried product Gradually connections were and became fully strong

 Vineet

was great.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

Skill was like regular, getting experience and skill was little bigger. Then my own independent context also happened. Now I started working on my own projects. Then I used to hire only. Kind of thinking that I a project, let's do it together, the video. So these things happened.

 So mostly, was on Then I an offer that there a King's concert, a college fest, Sushant University Gurgaon So I capture that I said let's see what is this concert, I photos of that confetti is fireworks are photos are very grand I said let's try this too I went there and like

 That point was that bro, event is the one who does fun for me. He makes me that photography, this is what have to do. Then slowly connections there, like I other photographers. Some media people talked ENC that I to concert events.

 So you tell them that this is portfolio. In the beginning, there was a lot of competition in events and concerts. There many people who were covering everything. Now if a new artist comes, a big artist who is first time, then they capture everyone. But there limited slots. So what to do is to your portfolio or connection in

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

you have things for like on barter collaboration so my first short event was paid but after i did unpaid events just to build a portfolio then when that portfolio was made i started instagram

 Vineet

where you reach out to them and that I send you and you will to

 ADEEB RAZA

Those who thought this new, then they also that this guy Like he good He working They were watching me live. I around shots. I am trying, I am them. Then they offered me that you this concert like So I lot of concerts at that time. Like leading. Photography. I photography.

 Slowly I connected with the and that I got to about photographer, videographer Through them I started like brand deals There are many brands like fashion brands, liquor brands, stalls They also their coverage like Marshmallow, which is a brand of Myntra So Myntra has a booth there

Now he wants a reel on where he how marshmallows and how much response he got. So we for brands too sometimes.

 Vineet

So how it is working, are effectively, Myntra has hired you for this project. Right. But you obviously then have full permit. So you are doing paid work then you are doing building your portfolio.

 ADEEB RAZA

Mostly we focus on the Myntra event Mintra is our focus If the starts at 3pm and the artist comes on stage at 7pm Then we will mostly focus on Mintra's stall Mintra's activities, audience etc. will When the artist comes on stage 7pm We artist's for

 Vineet

you

 ADEEB RAZA

Because Miltra will All the audience will away and come to their fences, their barricades, all that. That's it Then we of our artists, of And if case, if some of our is still the booth, then we a shot in we artist or show and our booth. So all those things happen. First, we cover

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

One the brand, another the production team, and management team. There many things to cover in Many sectors come.

 Vineet

But for example, I the name because I don't know them. But if any brand engages you, I need one team I my photo, I my time lapse, I video, I have How you handle that?

 ADEEB RAZA

So like mostly brands say that we single because their is constant like we 10 -15 events in so they team to they that much budget So what hire is that one person hired who did photo and video too So now we are limited now there a little competition, we to show better and different

 So we integrate from our end. So what I mostly do is I hyperlapse, timelapse, 360, drone, photo and video.

 Yeah. So.

 Vineet

How? No, I you I have to dig into this. So hyperlapse, time lapse from your A7III, from your camera. So stitching it together later, basically. So I have up my camera here Time lapse is Right. So do you use two cameras or do you just have one?

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah.

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah, at the the process.

 ADEEB RAZA

Sometimes two cameras, sometimes single camera only.

 Vineet

So, hyperlapse is done. hyperlapse, I motion, otherwise time lapse.

 ADEEB RAZA

So it's different, the same but little movement.

 Vineet

So, you have it You FPV at the time and you are

 ADEEB RAZA

FPV is I have started now, I have to my Mostly drones. Drone is stable. Don't have to Just 4 -5 shots Fillers. As in filler. Then I a top shot of booth or event. Then it's done. Don't to do Then comes the photo part.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

In the photo part, it candid, like if there is an at if the product is watching or trying, so those things are candid. Then we some poses like if there Red Bull can, then the Red Bull can and some hooting, or some action shots and shoot it. All these scenes taken Now 360? 360 is also much. One switch, two shots.

 Like if the booth is too crowded then 60, take a roundabout and finish it. After we edit.

Vineet

Hmm.

 So basically, bag of equipment that you are carrying with you which is your camera, 2 lenses, 3 -4 batteries, SD card case, then comes your FPV or drone, I am guessing and your speed lights, ring light also guess, ring light is

 ADEEB RAZA

I use panel I a small LED panel, it very compact so there is issue

 Vineet

Yeah, ring light. Yeah. And tripod, of course.

 ADEEB RAZA

single tripod mostly, tripod, gimbal, camera, lenses, 60mm is available then 60mm, if drone is available then drone, so that's

 Vineet

Hmm.

 So, don't This is a big problem. First all, you are of course, big camera bag at a concert where people are not carrying around stuff, right? You are probably the only one with a big front heavy case. So everyone can see that it equipment. Have you worried about

 ADEEB RAZA

Next week, it could.

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah.

 ADEEB RAZA

So like incidents have in the past that bags have disappeared from our events Mostly my bags have with equipments Because what happens? Cameras in India

 Vineet

Insurance?

 Vineet

We also trying for our own events that we do, for our own corporate shoots that we do. Can't it?

 ADEEB RAZA

I don't have as far as know. I anyone that I a camera insurance.

 Vineet

I ask my guests on that insurance, someone says yes, yes, yes, I have it, yes, give But yeah, we have spoken to so many third party agents, we have spoken to directly to the companies, create it, we will all the data, you create the product for we will pay, we will Nothing. They are like, no, we don't the industry.

 ADEEB RAZA

Please forward if you have I will it

 ADEEB RAZA

I don't what will will do? How will I

 Vineet

And how do you wear it? Because it's expensive equipment, very delicate equipment. And yeah, like Target is such a big wearable case. So second, then next question I add, for example, drone usage. There are a lot of photographers roaming around Multiple. It also happens that, okay, there drone guy, so take a shot for too. I'll pay you something. split it. something that. It happens. They are

 ADEEB RAZA

Like it happens, if I go somewhere I drone and someone is drone If I known, I tell him that me one or two If you to pay something, tell me, in general he some young work But mostly what happens is that share Because he the whole data to his management directly Like whoever to hire him If I one or two videos, then he

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

Mm.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

Data breach and all that comes in, next time they will hire you, you clicked from There is everywhere here. Everyone has to their betters, that it's good for me. So those things are there, but you friend, I get it. If I capturing an artist, I have stage access. And someone my known is on stage. Who from backstage or from the back shot of without any...

 Vineet

Hmm.

 Vineet

So typically when you go for a big concert, let's say in Marshmellow, for example, let's take the biggest. That will a very big concert. I'm guessing like 30 -40 ,000 people will there. So how many photographers are there on average at an event like this?

 ADEEB RAZA

Yeah around around yeah.

 ADEEB RAZA

Like I said earlier photographers will management, production, main production team, artist's own team if he brings it, like marshmallow will his own art, photographer bring it. So that will be Then some interns or what can I say?

 Vineet

Hmm. Hmm.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

so out to and ask for entry or access

 Vineet

Plus typically if I the Adams team that I A7C2 and to shoot and make will they

 ADEEB RAZA

I don't know. Mostly artists set their team They have with If you reach out to them, they feel that they create then they test it If they like it, then a regular basis. If there a concert then you do it.

 Vineet

Thank

 ADEEB RAZA

So these things also happen. If you were how many photographers are in an event, then their limit is there.

 Vineet

I guess all this will 100

 ADEEB RAZA

Around 100 people will even small event, 50 people will there Because everyone capture, everyone to build a There is there is that pit area there Like this is your the stage there is a console area, the distance between it is full of photographers, it photographers only No one access there Either stage manager will access or artist manager or us, no one else will there

 Vineet

So, hair film has a very competitive space, so I was wrong there.

 Vineet

Yeah.

 ADEEB RAZA

and we passes

 Vineet

I was helping out with organizing Jet hotel in Bangalore. We the pit with the photographer. We partying. Are you now?

 ADEEB RAZA

They are allowed to They don't even what's going on there They have it, it's set up, it's fine Now our work has started Now we will just roam in Someone is running, someone jumping back, someone is up Anything It keeps there And there are also some fights in that too access that no one has a band, AAA So you in here? Security is also outside It has me too

Vineet

Yeah.

 Vineet

Hmm.

 ADEEB RAZA

I shooting but I access card was for day 1 So last song was Prateek Kohar's went to the stage and saw the security guy and he had a day 1 band, why not day 2 band? He his manager and asked where is your day 2 band? I I didn't it today but I am officially He no no, come back, he on console

 My friend was from the same team I told him to him from team he He said yes, Timare But he didn't He said that he saying but I you to from here

 Vineet

He is also working on own. What can he He to follow But done, I think at that point, very interesting conversation. Thank you so much for joining us, Adib. I to learn And so many practical aspects of covering events and all. We had discussed your corporate work, but we couldn't Because this is too much. There was so much to ask. Let's wrap this up. Done. So thank you so much for joining us, Adib.

 ADEEB RAZA

Yes.

 ADEEB RAZA

Thank you so much.

 ADEEB RAZA

follow next time maybe next time so yeah okay thank you so much for giving this opportunity thank you individual team

 Vineet

And thank you everyone for tuning in and we will see you next time.

 ADEEB RAZA

Thank you.