Event Photography Questions

[tukaniray]

So, I know there are a few of you guys who shoot events here and there.

I have also done a few events, but I don't feel like I capture the event in the way I am thinking. My mind is fighting the camera. Events from Corporate to fun Talent shows.

I do indeed get some nice clear photos and the main subject(s) is lit well.

But, what are the settings, on average, that you would recommend for events?

What I have been using:
D80 or D90 (Or sometimes both)
Use a Nikon 28-70mm 2.8
Nikon 35mm 2.8
Nikon 28 - 105mm 3.5-4.5
Tamron 18-170 3.5-6.3 (Real far away and if the light is strong enough)
SB-800 Flash
Gary Fong Clear or Cloud (sometimes)
The provided diffuser from the SB-800
Depending on lighting, the orange correction gel to manual white balance to real orange tungsten lighting at events.

I shoot somewhere in the 40-60 shutter range, ISO between 250 - 650 (Try to not go to high with these particular cameras) and manual the WB.

I find I get either really nice clear subjects and some black fall off on the BG or I get everything lit pretty nicely, but a tad blurry.

Err ... I do get about 55-60% of the shots real well (enough for the client to be happy) ... but I feel I can do so much better with some guidance.

Please some guidance.

-Ray-

[rab3rd]

photo examples?

[tukaniray]

Oh ... yeah I guess that would be helpful ... lol ...

Okay hold on ... I will grab some.

-Ray-

[tukaniray]

Okay Example Photos:

These aren't too bad ... but I know I am still missing something. I feel it's missing. I have researched many other photographers and lots of great photos. I want to definitely get to that level. But to do that I really do want some opinions and help to better build my ability, in this aspect.

I am also getting into strobe portrait photographer more as well .... but that is another aspect I am practicing to better in.

These are all out of camera ... no processing ... yet ...

Corporate Event





Talent Show





Live Band




-Ray-

[tukaniray]

I am either doing real well or no one has any tips to give ... I hope it neither ... I would like to become better as a photographer. And I feel C&C from you all here help with that.

-Ray-

[rab3rd]

The best shot of this series is the guy singing. Why? Because you caught the emotion. Faces, faces, faces. Forget about full body shots unless its required to tell the story. Get closer, its about the eyes and expression. Anyone can take a PnS and take sanp shots of people standing and speaking or singing. You task is to capture emotion, thats what these pictures are missing, this of course is my Hackstraordinairy opinion...

[kronos2818]

Well here are my .02 cents,
1. Capture the emotions and their eyes.
2. Drag your shutter a little more, So you get less of that flash effect, and more amdiant light.
3. Move your flash away from the camera.

Hope this helps.

[rab3rd]

Example, you didnt need anymore than this to tell the story and while its not the most expressive photo I think this is better. Wait for the moment, I am sure at some point this guy was "feeling" the song. Thats the picture you want.

[ngoduyviet]

Before you get all the above advice, get your technical skill down first. Practice to get proper exposure, learn to bounce to avoid your shots looking like snapshots. Then learn to isolate your subject(s), framing, angle, watch for background, flash to ambient balance etc. Shooting events is hard, and will take a long time to get right.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Some of it is timing, several shots would have been better for you if they were shot a second or two before or after what you captured, and as said above get your technical skills down better. Also add a fast lens in the 70mm+ range and then you won't need to pretty much duplicate the 28-70 range with two lenses even if it is a 105 or so prime.

[tukaniray]

Sweet. Thanks guys.

Yeah, I understand that catching the moment at an event ... is definitely a talent to work on.

I will try to stay away from the WS. I guess since I am also a camera operator and video editor, I always look for the WS first then then aim for the close-up details. I need to get out of that mindset for photography.

Lets see ... I did drag the shutter on a few shots, but thanks viet, I do see what you mean about getting out of the "Snapshot" look.

Yes I am trying to do more gigs to buy better glass. I do have an account with the Photog rental shop here, but I was given this gig a bit late for me to reserve a fast tele-zoom.

Rob, Sem, Viet and Paul - Thank you all. I will be working on this on my next event I work. Probably be next week.

Maybe I need to book more gigs during the day outside to better work my technique. And not worry about lighting for the moment. lol.

-Ray-

[michel.cedric]

Mixed Mojo's advice should be printed and included in the box with every new DSLR sold today, maybe it would stop some people who buy these cameras from thinking they are now automatically pro photographers. Of course, it could not be included in the owners manual, as the new "professional wedding photographers" never read that.