Dimitry Mak is a New York City-based photographer specializing in live music and portraits. With his work featured on album covers, band merch, and in major publications, he’s become known for getting the concert hero shots that make a statement. We came across one of his images of groundbreaking Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning songwriter and performing artist Cyndi Lauper at Madison Square Garden that he was able to capture from the back of the arena with his Sony Alpha 7R IV and Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. Keep reading as he explains the story behind an image so epic that the "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" singer even shared it herself.
Product Preview – In This Article You’ll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7R IV
–Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II
Adapting In Real Time To Get The Shot
This photo was taken at the world’s most famous arena – Madison Square Garden – during Cyndi Lauper’s farewell tour. This was her last hometown show, making it a particularly special night.
When I photograph concerts, I usually have a few “hero shots” in mind, but one of the most exciting parts of concert photography is its unpredictability. Unlike portrait photography, where you have full control over lighting, direction, and the subject’s positioning, concerts are entirely unpredictable. Stage production, lighting, and even an artist’s movements are constantly changing, which means you have to adapt in real time.
I always go in with a vision, but sometimes you have to throw it out and problem-solve on the spot. That challenge – working with what’s given and capturing something unique in the moment – is exactly what I love about concert photography.
The Perfect Lens For Concert Photography
I made this with my Sony Alpha 7R IV and the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II. In concert photography, flexibility is key because you never know where you’ll be shooting from. Sometimes, publicists won’t tell you this information until you actually pick up your credentials at the venue, so you have to be prepared for anything.
I’ve photographed at MSG before and was positioned right up against the stage, but this time, when I arrived, I was told that Cyndi was only allowing photos from the soundboard – which is all the way in the back of the arena. Without the reach of the 70-200mm, there’s no way I would’ve been able to get this image. That lens saved me.
“Without the reach of the 70-200mm, there’s no way I would’ve been able to get this image. That lens saved me.” – Concert photographer Dimitry Mak
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On top of that, shooting with the A7R IV’s 61MP sensor gave me even more flexibility—allowing me to crop in post while still maintaining sharpness and detail. That extra resolution made a huge difference in getting the final composition just right.
Using Distance To Show Scale
I took this photo at 1/350-sec., f/2.8, ISO 640. Because I was positioned so far back, I used that distance to my advantage to showcase the scale of the stage while capturing Cyndi in an iconic pose that almost mimics her album cover. The second I took the shot, I knew it was something special.
There was no tripod involved – I was working purely handheld. And with concert lighting, you’re always at the mercy of the production. You have to anticipate the right moments and be ready to capture them instantly.
The Timeless Look Of Black & White
A lot of my concert photos are in black and white because I love the timeless, classic look it gives. It creates a sense of ambiguity—you can look at the image 20 years from now and still wonder when it was taken. I like that approach. My editing is almost exclusively done in Lightroom, keeping the process simple but intentional.
Normally, when photographing for an outlet, the images will be published on their website/print and/or Instagram. Sometimes, the artist might do a collab post, but that’s usually where it ends. This time, though, Cyndi loved the photo so much that she shared it on her Facebook, which was incredible considering there were dozens of photographers covering her farewell tour that night. The fact that she chose mine made it even more special.
After that, I reached out to her team and asked if she’d be willing to sign a print. They told me she’d love to once she got back from tour. True to her word, the day she returned, her team got in touch, and she signed it for me.
That’s rare in concert photography – after we shoot a show, we usually don’t get the chance to connect with the artist. Even if we print an image, there’s often no real way to get it to them. But this was different. Cyndi kept her word, and it turned into a truly special moment.
See more of Dimitry Mak’s work on Instagram @dimitrymakphoto and at dimitrymak.co.
