Workshop Details
This is our most complete, totally immersive music photography workshop. You’ll spend four days learning, shooting pictures, and having a blast with music and portrait photographer David Bergman at an intimate music festival in beautiful Bristol, Rhode Island. Our friend Pat McGee hosts this event every year for some of his biggest fans, and you will have all access, giving you the unique opportunity to photograph the events while taking your photo skills to new heights.
Intimate Photo Workshops
The skills you learn can be applied to many types of photography beyond music. Every day is different, but a typical day might start with a review of our images from the night before.
Then we’ll go to the next venue, a rooftop restaurant with a gorgeous view. Before everyone arrives, we’ll learn all the ways to deal with harsh sunlight, or we’ll put up small Speedlites to turn a grey sky into a blue one.
When the musicians start to play, you’ll have all access to make pictures from every angle imaginable with David by your side the entire time. After the show, we’ll go back to our editing room and spend some time learning about portrait lighting, only to be joined by one of the musicians so we can make some exclusive images of them.
It’s a long day so far, but we’re not done yet! We’ll go to another venue for the nighttime concert where we’ll pre-light the stage and audience with colored gels, followed by the actual concert. Of course throughout the day we’ll make sure to enjoy some good food and drinks together.
The workshop begins the day before the festival so we have plenty of instruction time before the craziness begins. Some of the topics that will be covered throughout the four days include:
- Scouting the venue / doing your homework
- Getting the right exposure every single frame
- Making unique images that separate you from everyone else
- Using multiple Speedlites to create your own light
- Setting up remote cameras
- How to work with the crew, musicians and the fans
- Portrait lighting
- Editing and post-processing
- What’s the best camera gear to shoot concerts? / Can you use a point and shoot?
- The Business of photography / copyright / can you make money shooting concerts?
- How do you legitimately get photo passes?
- And many more…
This experience is limited to 10-15 participants and the class will be tailored to each photographer’s skill level – from beginner to advanced professional.
Top Photo Gear Available
Use top-of-the-line photo gear thanks to partnerhsips with companies including Canon, Adorama, and Tenba.
Shoot from the Pit have partnered with Canon and will have some of their top-of-the-line cameras and lenses available for use during the workshop.
You may not have a Canon camera available at all times so bring your own camera – especially if you’d like to get better at using it.
A DSLR is preferred, and the minimum requirement is that your camera can go into manual exposure mode. Camera phones won’t cut it.
All Experience Levels
Photographers of all skill levels are welcome from beginner to advanced professional.
Pat McGee OSM FAQs
- Do I need to buy a separate festival ticket?
Yes. The price of the photo workshop is an “add-on” to the cost of the festival. You must purchase your event ticket(s) and are responsible for your lodging, meals, and transportation. Go to the OSM site for more information about the festival and to purchase your tickets.
- When should I arrive and depart?
We will begin at noon on Saturday, September 29 as participants will have a day of instruction before the music festival starts on Sunday. The last concert is Tuesday night, October 2nd and usually goes into the late evening so make sure you get as much sleep as you can before arriving in Rhode Island! We will have a short wrap-up on Wednesday morning and will be done by 11am.
- What about lodging, meals, and transportation?
You are responsible for your own lodging, meals, and transportation. The closest airports are Providence or Boston. We highly recommend staying at the Bristol Harbor Inn, as there is a discounted group rate for those attending the festival. Go to the OSM site for more info. If the hotel is sold out, there are other hotels and airbnb choices in the area.
- Do I get to shoot all the shows? Will I get to hang out with Pat and the other musicians?
Yes! This is an intimate festival and you will get to photograph everything. Some of the events might be superseded by instruction time, but don’t worry – we will be very busy learning and photographing. Your head will be spinning by the time you go home.
- Do I need to bring my own camera?
We have partnered with Canon and will have some of their top-of-the-line cameras, lenses, and flashes available to use during the workshop, but you may not have access to a Canon camera at all times. So bring your own camera or two if you have it – especially if you’d like to get better at using it. A DSLR is preferred, but the minimum requirement is that your camera can go into manual exposure mode. Camera phones won’t cut it.
- Do I need to be an experienced photographer?
No, all skill levels are welcome. We will have separate sessions set aside for our beginners so we can work on the basics if needed.
Since some of the events will take place where alcohol is being served, this event is 21+ only.
- What’s your refund policy?
Due to the exclusive nature and small size of this workshop, it is 100% non-refundable. At the end of the day, we are human beings, so if you have a major issue, contact us for assistance.
Workshop attendees will receive additional emails from Shoot From The Pit with schedule and meet up info about two weeks before the trip. So keep an eye on your inbox. If you haven’t received an email, check your “junk/spam folder” or contact us for assistance.
For specific questions regarding the festival, visit the OSM site.
Student Testimonials
“This will go down in my books as a bucket list moment I never thought I would have! Thanks again for a great opportunity and experience.”
– Sue S.
“I learned a ton and the whole experience kicked my creative juices into overtime. The workshop was incredibly well rounded and was a great learning environment!”
– Steve B.
“Wonderful and very educational in the perfect setting for this training. You were an excellent host and are always so easy to speak to. Thank you for the experience!”
– Jeff P.
