theme park close ups and small groups

[yellow ant]

Hi, any tips for taking photos of individuals and small groups at theme parks?

 

[The_Traveler]

do you know these people?

if not, there is a decent chance that, with beginners' skills at managing camera, you will annoy/offend/worry people and maybe get into some hassle with the subjects or the owners.

Lew Lorton Photography The process of Street Photography - Part 1 Fishing as Metaphor

 

[soufiej]

Why the qualification "at theme parks"? As the Traveler suggests, simply taking shots of folks stuffing two foot long coney dogs into their face might be bothersome to the stuffee (or would that be the "stuffer"?). Are you likely to encounter someone in the witness protection program? A politician accepting illegal campaign funds? You wouldn't want to go home via the emergency room.

Are you taking your shots under specific conditions; low light, bright daylight, mixed light (dusk and incandescent lighting), high dynamic range conditions, etc? While you're on the descending side of the roller coaster? While either party, you or the subject, are actually on the Tilt a Whirl? Are your shots likely to have a ten foot clown in the background? No, not your brother in law!

Each situation will have a different set of conditions which will require a different set of framing and camera requirements. (Put the tall people in the back of the group.) Think about the conditions you expect to encounter and try to be more specific in what you need assistance with.

 

[SquarePeg37 8]

Ignore this if I'm wrong but I assumed that the OP is going to an amusement park and wants tips on taking good pics of his/her group or family, not strangers.

Sorry OP, I don't have much to offer in that regard. Some ideas - make sure you have a zoom lens so you can get in close when needed and try to move away from the main paths when shooting group shots so you don't have a ton of people walking through and photo bombing and so you're not rudely blocking others from passing through. Try to include the location so you don't end up with a bunch of pics that could have been taken anywhere. Watch out for partial shade and squinting into the sun.

If you go on Flickr and search whatever theme park you're going to, you may find some inspiration for location and poses. Find a few that you like and determine what they have in common or what you like about them. Keep them in mind when you're there.

 

[Braineack]

Hi, any tips for taking photos of individuals and small groups at theme parks?

push the shutter button.

 

[soufiej]

Hi, any tips for taking photos of individuals and small groups at theme parks?

push the shutter button.

Won't do any good if you haven't taken the lens cap off.

 

[soufiej]

Or turned the darned thing "ON".

 

[yellow ant]

Thanks for replies, links and tips. It is for the theme park itself, running round and taking them of their customers, mainly families.

Day time and also night time photos, so going to be quite varied conditions! But its not professional standard they are looking for so that will help.

 

[weepete]

Fast shutter speed, between 1/125th and 1/250th (if they are on rides you may need faster). CWA metering and auto ISO. For groups make sure your depth of field is deep enough to cover the whole group.

 

[Designer]

Hi, any tips for taking photos of individuals and small groups at theme parks?

Try to isolate them from the background. Try to get all the faces equi-distant from the lens. Have them doing something. Get as much eye contact as you can. Use fill flash.

If you can do all of that consistently, they will be outstanding.

 

[James Baranski]

Hi, any tips for taking photos of individuals and small groups at theme parks?

push the shutter button.

Won't do any good if you haven't taken the lens cap off.

Hahah fixed that troll

 

[gsgary]

Hi, any tips for taking photos of individuals and small groups at theme parks?

push the shutter button.

What about focus

 

[Braineack]

Hi, any tips for taking photos of individuals and small groups at theme parks?

push the shutter button.

What about focus

that's an artistic decision, but most cameras focus when you push the shutter button. They make it really easy for you.

And I know this is really crazy: some cameras even have an lcd panel display that actually shows the picture you took allowing you to review it on the spot.

 

[mcap1972]

Start composing your group shot by selecting background.