Why Concert Photography is Like Flying Fighter Jets
- Nathan Thompson
- Jun 20, 2025
- 2 min read
You may be questioning my sanity, or heading to the comments to tell me about a family member I'm disrespecting, or you're doing both, but before you call in a wellness check or decorate the comments with your grandfather's military achievements, hear me out. While an F16 is a little more expensive than camera equipment, and concert photography doesn't subject your body to 9 G's of force, people who succeed in these practices follow the same framework: the OODA Loop.
The OODA Loop is a decision-making framework originally developed by John "Forty-Seconds" Boyd for use in the Air Force (Boyd's nickname stems from his long-standing bet that he could beat any fighter pilot in forty seconds or less, starting from a position of disadvantage). This framework insists that someone concerned in making a decision must first observe their situation, orient themselves within it, decide on a plan, and act on it. While fighter pilots are tasked with completing this loop in mere fractions of seconds, we photographers are given a little bit more time and flexibility to determine how best to capture a scene. Plus, if we muck up, we can just fix it in post, right?
I draw this parallel, as farfetched as it may seem, after finding myself overconfident during a recent concert shoot. I was shooting a band I know and love at a new venue, and I failed to observe and orient myself around the stage. In my panic, I ended up deciding that machine-gunning the shutter release, scrambling for angles, and praying for a 5-minute guitar solo were the actions I needed to yield the most positive results.
When the third song ended, I found myself with sweaty palms, quickly scrolling through a catalog of photos I wasn't satisfied with. I still got decent images, but I really wanted something spectacular to impress this band. Fortunately, they were stoked with the photos and I still got paid, but it was a humbling experience for me and it chipped away at the confidence I have in my work.
Even though we're not flying jets and dodging missiles, the practice of observing your environment and orienting yourself within it are crucial. For concerts, before that first chord hits, you better be familiar with the stage. Ask yourself simple questions like: "Where are the mics?" "What shots do I want to get?" "What stage elements will block my view?" "How many other photographers are there?" "Is there equipment onstage that has personal significance to the band?" "Where's the lighting/sound tech, and can I speak with them?" These questions will help you develop a plan so you aren't scrambling for shots when the band comes out. Those first 3 songs are over in a flash, but if you observe the venue and develop a loose plan, they'll feel a whole lot longer.
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