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Simple tricks for taking incredible concert shots on any phone.

Simple tricks for taking incredible concert shots on any phone.
Matthew T
iD Mobile Employee
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Got tickets to see your favourite band or artist? We bet you can’t wait to catch them in action and rock your friends’ social feeds with some epic shots. But gigs aren’t the easiest places to snap photos on your phone. As when the lights go down, it can make pics look blurry and blown out.

So, we’ve put together this guide that’ll help you take amazing concert photos you’ll actually want to share. Plus, we’ve highlighted some of the best phones for capturing awesome live music moments — from the front row all the way to the back!

 

Quick tips for any smartphone.

 

 

No matter what phone you have, there are a few simple tricks which can make a big difference right away:

  • Control the lights: Don’t just point and shoot. Tap your screen to focus on the artist and slide your finger down to lower the exposure. This will make sure those bright stage lights don’t turn your musical hero into a glowing blob.

  • Avoid digital zoom: It can be tempting to zoom in when you’re nowhere near the stage. But this often makes things grainy, so it’s better to just take a wide shot that you can crop later. Got a phone with a proper optical telephoto lens? It should keep things looking sharp even when zoomed in.

  • Use burst mode: If your phone has a burst mode, turn it on and hold down the camera button to take lots of pics in quick succession. It’s great for capturing unexpected, high-energy moments and gives you more choice to find that one perfect shot.

  • Capture the atmosphere: It’s cool getting close-ups of the artist you’re seeing. But try to take photos that capture the energy of the concert too. Have the crowd in the foreground and get some of the stage setup in there.

  • Keep your phone stable: To stop stage lights from looking streaky and ruining your good work, you’ll want to minimise camera shake as much as possible. That’s why you should use both hands when taking your shots, even if they’re portrait pics.

  • Clean your phone’s lens: This is an obvious one. But pocket lint and greasy fingerprints (gigs get pretty sweaty, after all) can add a murky filter you definitely don’t want. Just give the lens a quick wipe on your t-shirt or hoodie before you start shooting.

 

Upgrade your view: the best phones for concerts.

 

 

Many of today’s smartphones have pro-grade cameras. They’re literally like having a DSLR that fits in your pocket. So, if you’re a serious gig-goer with an old, sub-par phone — you should think about upgrading to something that’ll make your shots shine. Here are a few of our faves:

  • iPhone 16 Pro: Apple’s latest and greatest phone has a 5x optical zoom telephoto lens, which lets you get closer to the action without losing detail. And with its Camera Control button, you can slide your finger to quickly toggle through lenses and make other on-the-fly adjustments. You’ll never miss a big moment!

  • Google Pixel 9: The Pixel uses the power of Ai to not only keep images looking sharp, but to help you edit too. Someone’s hand in the way of an otherwise perfect shot? There’s a tool that can make it disappear like magic.

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraIf you usually go for seats at the back, this mighty mobile’s 100x space zoom ensures crystal-clear pics from super far away. It’s packing plenty of Ai smarts too, which boost low-light performance and reduce noise so your snaps look vibrant and crisp.

 

The big debate: capture the moment or live in it?

 

 

A sea of smartphones is a common sight at most gigs. And it can be pretty annoying when someone in front blocks your view with their device’s screen. But with the cost of gig tickets these days, it’s also understandable why you’d want to capture and relive a show you’ve paid so much to see. Here’s a look from each side:

  • Living in the moment: It’s not often that we get a break from screens. So, for some people, gigs are an opportunity to get away from their tech and feel fully present without any distractions.

  • Capturing the memory: On the other hand, memories fade with time. And today’s smartphones make it so easy to record a quick video of your favourite song or snap a pic you can share on Insta.

  • Find a balance: Or, you could just take a few stunning photos (using our tips) during the first couple of songs. Then, put your phone away and enjoy the rest of the show.

 

Rock on!

 

We hope our guide helps you capture some really cool pics at your next gig. Who have you got tickets to see this summer? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’ve got some extra photography tips we missed, we’d love to hear about them too…

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