Taking Command of Event Photography
Charisma goes a long way with photography, which is something I didn't realize I'd have to rely on when I decided photography was something I wanted to do for the long term
I was talking to someone the other day about the duties of event photography, or even just photography in general but particularly event photography. The duties include getting people interested in having their picture taken, finding a spot where the background isn't distracting, and making sure they look good. Candid photos offer a different set of challenges because you'll most likely be using a flash, especially if you're in a bar or some other kind of event space. People can't help noticing your presence and look right at you, which isn't what you want in a candid. So you have to balance your command of your subjects between getting them to do what you and also to act natural.
Charisma goes a long way with photography, which is something I didn't realize I'd have to rely on when I decided photography was something I wanted to do for the long term. I was most interested in capturing a beautiful image and not so interested in interacting with people. But I need to do both things equally well in order to do my job right. The person I was talking to complained that other photographers they had worked with didn't realize they needed to talk to their subjects more and get them to areas where a picture will look its best. The people being photographed don't know what your picture is going to look like, so you have to get them to be in a place for the best possible picture. Limiting foreground distractions and background distractions falls on the photographer. It's easy to forget that, especially when you're working with someone who has some fame surrounding them. It feels strange telling someone "could you move just 3 feet to your right?" when you know they carry some serious clout. But you have to do it for their benefit, just as much as your own.
"Can you take my picture over here?" many people ask. But sometimes "over here" looks good to the naked eye but will be distracting or bland on camera. Sometimes "over there" is much better. You have to be able to tell people "I don't think this spot looks great" without making it seem like they are the problem. I often say "the light is better over here" or something like that to ensure they know it's not them, it's the scenery, or the camera, that needs help.
They originally started to form up for a group shot in front of a big mirror. I politely asked them to move elsewhere and they were happy to do so.
Candid pictures is a totally different animal all together. I use my zoom lens so I can be relatively far away and take pictures of people talking hopefully without them ever knowing that's what I'm doing. But at events where I need to use my shorter lens and a flash, that can be tricky. It's impossible to hide the fact you're trying to take candid pictures when your flash is going off. Usually if people notice me trying to take candid pictures and go in to their go-to photo pose, I'll take the pose pictures, joke with them a bit, and then say something "I'm going to get a few candids of you all and then I'll be out of your hair." They'll usually laugh, and go back to talking, hopefully still smiling from our interaction, and I get my pictures just the way I want them.
Once comfortable with your presence, people will ignore you despite hovering around them with a flash going off.
The more confident you are talking with strangers, the better your pictures will be. The more closed off you are as a photographer, the more closed off the people you're trying to photograph will be. A quiet and shy photographer might come off as a creep. Many events I've shot, people are unaware the venue hired a photographer. So if you're skulking around taking pictures, people might get upset. You have to be willing to talk to people as soon as you take your lens cap off, otherwise, you won't get hired for that event again.
"Your Camera takes Beautiful Pictures!"
I'd like to think I play a large part in what goes in to the camera because I can tell you first hand that I take a lot of bad, bad pictures. I only share the ones I like.
After seeing my pictures I sometimes hear people say "your camera takes beautiful pictures!" I get what they're saying but I can't help but hear "if it wasn't for your camera your pictures would be bad." I agree, my camera has the capacity to capture a beautiful image, but I'd like to think I play a large part in what goes in to the camera because I can tell you first hand that I take a lot of bad, bad pictures. I only share the ones I like.
I'm going to do something risky - I'm going to show you a bad picture I've taken. I decided to go with a product shot since I don't want to make a person look bad. I recently did some product photography for a local pipe shop and it was a challenge photographing the pieces. Photographing glass is a tricky thing so it took a few bad shots in order to get to a good one.
This was my first test shot. As you can see, it's blown out and the focus is questionable. It's overall not appealing. I don't think anyone would look at this and say "your camera takes beautiful pictures!" They'd say "this is a bad photo" and the full blame would be on me. Rightly so.
This is an unedited version of what ended up being my final look for this piece of glass. It's an unremarkable image but you can see the improvement between the last picture and this one. Focus is there, exposure is perhaps a touch under but it's acceptable, and you can see the full piece unobstructed. Still, not an image you'd call beautiful.
This is the final edit of the above picture. Vibrant, detailed, and all you can see is the piece itself. The camera does maybe 1/4 of the work. It captures all you need to create a beautiful image, but it ultimately rests on the shoulders of the photographer to make it all happen. You can buy the most expensive camera on the market and still take terrible pictures.
If a chef makes you a delicious meal would you say "your oven makes a great dish!" A tool is only as useful as the person wielding it. I don't profess to be a prolific photographer but I do appreciate recognition when it comes. When someone says my camera takes nice pictures I can't help but feel insulted. I know they don't mean to be insulting, and I don't take a personally, but next time you want to compliment someone on their work, compliment them, not their tools.
A Freelancer's Holiday
Yesterday was Labor Day in the United States. A day where the labor force rests and we celebrate a job well done. But who actually rests on Labor Day?
Yesterday was Labor Day in the United States. A day where the labor force rests and we celebrate a job well done. But who actually rests on Labor Day? I took the train yesterday a few times, so MTA employees are still at it. I went to the supermarket, the coffee shop, I bought pizza, and even I worked as I photographed a show last night. I even spent the day editing pictures and searching for more work. So who stays home from work on Labor Day? From what I can tell, people with office jobs.
But that's not the point of today's post. The point is this - there is little time for "rest" when you work freelance. Every day I think "where's my next paycheck coming from?" This means I have to spend at least an hour or more searching for new work or keeping contacts fresh. A day without work isn't really a day off - it's just a day to find more work.
Rest and relaxation are important for any line of work but it can be hard to find when you're in freelance. You don't have a set schedule, there's no such thing as weekends or holidays, no sick days, no vacation time, it's all up to me. Sure, I could decide to not book a day, but why would I do that? I need contacts. Hell, I need money! I can't turn down a job because I want to rest. I don't know what or when the next job will be! Gotta keep working. Gotta keep it going.
Keeping the motor going has been the most important part of being a freelancer, to me, so far. Every day I try to take a step forward toward a successful career. Be it during the week, weekend, or even on a day like Labor Day, I have to do something to push forward, even if it's just a post on Instagram (check out my stuff at Instagram.com/sd_conrad) or writing on this very blog.
But all motors burn out unless properly maintained. You have to change your oil every few thousand miles. For me, maybe that oil change will happen today? Or tomorrow? Or next month? Who knows? I make my own schedule. Maybe today I'll go to the beach alone while all my friends are in a stuffy office. Or maybe I'll just lay in bed with my dog and finally finish reading Seveneves by Neal Stephenson. All I know is - freelancers don't know the word "holiday." Holiday, to us, is just another day on the grind.
What is this?
I am a freelance photographer and this blog is about my life as such. Sometimes I just need to vent. Sometimes I need to write down my thoughts to remind myself how I should be working. Other times I might just want to write about how I love my dog.
Why is this?
I believe it's important to get your thoughts out of your head sometimes. Some people write a journal for their own safe keeping. Other see therapists. I'm going to share my thoughts with the public. Feel free to communicate with me!