Event Photography = Difficult

[MichaelHenson]

Especially when the subjects are 5 years and younger (besides the parents) in age!

I've considered working my way into that "birthday party/photojournalistic" niche and so, when my daughter was invited to a friend's party at the pumpkin patch, I offered my photographic services. Here are some of my results.

1.


2.


3.


4.


My critique:
1. Many of these are centered rather than taking into account the rule of thirds...I'll work on it.
2. There are some less than ideal backgrounds and foregrounds...I understand that I need to do a better job keeping those clear but in events such as this, timing is everything and with everyone running around (parents and children), keeping things technically perfect can be difficult.
3. Raccoon eyes. Some of my photos ended up having raccoon eyes...I know that I need to put in some time working with my flash (maybe even bounced on camera) to avoid raccoon eyes if at all possible...
4. Posing? What's that? In this case, I did one semi-posed photo...not even that really...Posing is something that may or may not fit in the context of child birthday party? I dunno...

Anyway, any thoughts, critiques, etc. are welcome!

 

[The_Traveler]

fake smiles
they were responding to the camera in a bad way, getting rigid, etc.
get lower
very cold bluish look

 

[tirediron]

I would have gone for a long lens (150-200mm) and tried to avoid being noticed quite so much. As Lew said, the children were reacting to you and the camera, which, while cute for a few shots, is NOT what you want for the majority of your images.

 

[MichaelHenson]

That's kind of what I figured too. It was harder for me to not interact as I know these youngsters personally... My 70-200 2.8 gets here tomorrow... That would have been perfect!

 

[Overread17 5]

My critique:
1. Many of these are centered rather than taking into account the rule of thirds...I'll work on it.

Two thoughts:
1) Remember that there is more to composition than the Rule of Thirds. That compositional theory is a good one and works a lot of the time, but read up and get a few more theories to work with as many times you can use different theories together or alone to get more creativity and more options.

2) Sometimes at events; especially one like this where there is far less predictability in the motion of the subjects; its better to shoot wider than you need. That way you've got the moment and space around it to crop during editing. It can make it easier to get the shot - whilst if you're always pushing to get right in you can end up clipping bits - and you can't replace those lost bits.

2. There are some less than ideal backgrounds and foregrounds...I understand that I need to do a better job keeping those clear but in events such as this, timing is everything and with everyone running around (parents and children), keeping things technically perfect can be difficult.

A good assessment; yes sometimes at live events you've just got to go with what you've got in front of you. Yeah it won't be "perfect" but then again the real world often isn't.

You might find that what works is to have two approaches. The first is candid shots, where you're getting them caught in the moment (much like you're trying to already); and the other is to setup a controlled/contained area where you can have parents and children brought to for a photo. This latter option lets you have a degree of control over things - yeah you won't get those candid moments, but on the flipside you'll get those solid photo shots. Can be tricky to organise and you might find an assistant helps a lot (esp if you're working with backdrops, lighting or other support material).

3. Raccoon eyes. Some of my photos ended up having raccoon eyes...I know that I need to put in some time working with my flash (maybe even bounced on camera) to avoid raccoon eyes if at all possible...

Yep expand on your flash use, consider:

1) Off camera flash bracket - lift the flash up and to the side so that the angle of light isn't dead straight in line with the lens - good for roaming around outside.

2) Bounce the flash when indoors (careful with this one - its a very nice theory but works better on some walls than others).

3) Softboxes - even a smaller one like the Lumiquest or Lumiquest 3 can be just that little bit of softness that helps, whilst still keeping you easily mobile with a single camera setup without needing an assistant and more complex, larger softboxes (which also start to get somewhat invasive at a party).







It sounds like you're doing some good thinking on this. Get more practice sessions in and keep assessing what you're doing. That's really one of the best ways to start working things out - you get to put theory into practice and also start finding out what does and doesn't work for you. What methods you can really carry off well and what others are solid theories but just don't work for you.

 

[MichaelHenson]

Thanks for the analysis! I have a small softbound on the way too... That might be the best flash option.

Also, I did shoot wider with cropping in mind. I like the idea of "fading into the background" with a longer lens. Thanks!

 

[Designer]

Anyway, any thoughts, critiques, etc. are welcome!

#1 One child looking straight at the camera might be o.k., but there are others in the shot whose faces are not turned toward the camera, so not good.

#2 Posed group is cherished by the parents, but doesn't make a very good photograph.

#3 Child doing something is a good idea, but you didn't get his face.

#4 Doing something (eating) does not always make for a good picture. In this case, you've captured some very bland expressions, open mouth showing food, and somebody in the background.

 

[MichaelHenson]

Anyway, any thoughts, critiques, etc. are welcome!

#1 One child looking straight at the camera might be o.k., but there are others in the shot whose faces are not turned toward the camera, so not good.

#2 Posed group is cherished by the parents, but doesn't make a very good photograph.

#3 Child doing something is a good idea, but you didn't get his face.

#4 Doing something (eating) does not always make for a good picture. In this case, you've captured some very bland expressions, open mouth showing food, and somebody in the background.

Right. I was disappointed with a TON of them. I guess something I'm questioning is, for this style, how should one balance the "best photos" with the fast moving and difficult nature of the shooting environment?

 

[Vince.1551]

Don't worry Cartier-Bresson did the same with some of his photos ;-)


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[MichaelHenson]

Don't worry Cartier-Bresson did the same with some of his photos ;-)


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Exactly... That's what I've been going for the whole time and if anyone says anything I'll just say it's Bresson style.

 

[Vince.1551]

Don't worry Cartier-Bresson did the same with some of his photos ;-)


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Exactly... That's what I've been going for the whole time and if anyone says anything I'll just say it's Bresson style.

Cool.

As I've mentioned in another thread, if Bresson posted a photo here for C&C could you imagine the feedback he'll get lol


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[Gary A.]

Anyway, any thoughts, critiques, etc. are welcome!

#1 One child looking straight at the camera might be o.k., but there are others in the shot whose faces are not turned toward the camera, so not good.

#2 Posed group is cherished by the parents, but doesn't make a very good photograph.

#3 Child doing something is a good idea, but you didn't get his face.

#4 Doing something (eating) does not always make for a good picture. In this case, you've captured some very bland expressions, open mouth showing food, and somebody in the background.

Right. I was disappointed with a TON of them. I guess something I'm questioning is, for this style, how should one balance the "best photos" with the fast moving and difficult nature of the shooting environment?

That is all part of the learning and growing process. Next party you try something different, et cetera ... until you are higher on the learning curve.

The problem most don't understand is that family and photography just don't mix. In order for you to capture the moments you desire in a fashion/style which says more than "snapshot", you really have to focus on your subjects ... the moment you really focus on photography is the moment you miss out and start neglecting your own kids. Once your skills and experience are improved ... you can kinda keep the photography part running in the background and then quickly focus in and capture a moment ... then go back to family time ... without having to sweat. But for most of us, it takes a helluva lot of time behind the viewfinder to attain that level of expertise and focus.

Bubbles:

 

[The_Traveler]

Stalking around with a camera and big lens influences the scene.
One learns to be inconspicuous and not draw attention.
Don't stare through the lens, composing.
Frame and adjust at your waist, pick up the camera, shoot the shot, drop the camera and look away.
Don't get into the party, don't talk a lot.
Just be there and shoot the pictures.
I look for lots of documentary shots interspersed with the occasional great shot.
Too many great shots is disruptive to seeing the pictures.

There is no way to emphasize how important having and using your experience and being able to visualize shots a second or so before they happen is to doing this successfully.

 

[D-B-J]

Definitely a lot of good info in here. I shot my first real event only a few weeks ago, and I definitely learned some things. Candids? You NEED to have atleast a 70-200 (and I wish I had a 300 2.8 at my disposal) so you can distance yourself and still isolate your subjects. You also need to have your head on a swivel. Anticipate moments. Capture them. Have the camera ready a minute before you need it to be. Pre-focus where you know something good might happen. Stand in a corner quietly while you shoot. Move around. Stay on the edges. Nod if someone notices you, but that's it. Subtlety and anticipation are key, and I think those abilities only come with... Time and practice.

Jake