Jackson Free Press

If you've been to a live concert recently, you might have noticed the sea of cell phones photographing and videoing the big moments. Like it or not, cell phones are going to play a role in your music experience. The question is: When and how often should you use your personal device during a performance?

Some artists request that you don't do it at all. When I saw Jack White perform in Starkville on Jan. 27, a speaker came onstage and informed the audience that this was a live show, meant to be experienced with our own eyes and ears. Then, he respectfully asked that concertgoers put their phones away for the duration of the performance. He told us that professional photographers were taking shots that would be available for free the next day. Most of the audience complied, and it made for an enjoyable concert.

I also saw the Pink Floyd tribute "Bricks in the Wall" at Duling Hall Jan. 9. Down in front, one man took more photos and video than I thought a phone's memory could hold.

The band played along by photo-bombing the guy as he was taking selfies. Judging from the looks of everyone around him, no one else was amused.

I have news for the incessant cell-phone photographer at concerts: Your tons of photos will never be as good as you think they will be. If you're front and center and can get a decent shot of your favorite performer, take a shot or two, if the artist is cool with it. I think that's fine. I'm not above grabbing a snapshot or two myself during a concert.

Several years ago, I saw The Police play in New Orleans. I was far enough away that I could just barely make out the outline of Sting and company as they plowed through their greatest hits. During the encore, I decided to go with the crowd and shoot some video. When I got home, I eagerly played my homemade movie and discovered that it was a blob of sound and lights. You couldn't even make out the song that the band was playing.

Most of the time, I don't like the cell-phone pictures and video I take at shows. They aren't something that I use to remember the event, and no one else finds them interesting in the least. Even if an event is an amazing experience, the phone optics never quite replicate the moment.

The same thing goes for larger devices. Sure, expensive cameras may take better quality video, but they are often a distraction. When someone in front of me is shooting a video, I usually will find myself watching the concert through the little seven-inch window as opposed to watching the actual concert happening right in front of me. I bet I'm not the only one with that tendency.

Finally, there's the all-important concert selfie. I totally understand that you're stoked that you get to see a Shovels and Rope gig, but it's not all about you. Some people might want to simply enjoy the show. I'm always amused at people taking selfies at big arena concerts, especially with the flash.

Usually, when you take a flash photo during a live show, all you can see is bright, shiny faces and a small, blurry light behind them. Trust me, Bruno Mars isn't posing for your photo.

Rather than seeing everything through a camera, try to enjoy the experience in real time, be aware of your surroundings, and try to err on the side of etiquette and common courtesy while taking cell-phone photos during a show.