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Event Photography Tips

Listed here are three event photography tips that you can work like a pro and maybe put some extra cash in your pockets.

If you are known for having your camera with you and the fact that you enjoy taking pictures, sooner than later someone will make you the designated photographer of the event. These tips will help you live up to the title of event photographer. If you have a particular photography question about your event, you can contact me through the form below and I will e-mail you an answer.

 Event photography tips #1– Keep your distance

The important thing about photographing an event is to capture images that show that an event is happening. No portrait shots are necessary here. So, you want to frame your image in order to show as much of the festivities as possible as well as keep focused on the important things that are happening.

For example, if this is a birthday party, you may want to stand back in order to capture the cake, the candles being blown by the subject, as well as some of the people standing around. Of course your subject, the person blowing out the candles, should be shown as the most important element in the frame. One way of making your subject an important element, is to use a shallow depth of field and making the subject the sharpest part of the frame. But remember, that you also need to show other parts of the event in the frame. So don’t blur the background of too much.

Event photography tips #2– For Best Results, Don’t Use Your On Camera Flash

1. If you can possibly avoid the flash built into your camera, you will get the best results. If inside, try adjusting your white balance settings, as well a your ISO settings for a clearer image. You want your colors to look natural. Adjusting your white balance will keep help to keep your images from looking yellow or green, which happens with indoor lamps and lighting.


2. Using a tripod will afford you the opportunity to open up the aperture very wide to let in more light. Don’t try this without a tripod, all of your images will come out fuzzy or out of focus. If there is lots of action, a fast shutter speed is necessary.

3. Sometimes a flash is unavoidable. For example parties or other occasions where the lights are low. Try not to get too close to your subjects, in order not to get big flashes of light or what is called ‘hot spots’ or white outs in a particular area of the frame. If you can, connect a flash to your camera, instead of using the in camera flash that is directly on the camera. You will have more flexibility as far as directing and adjusting your lighting. If you are using a digital single lens reflex, (DSLR) camera, or a 35mm film camera, there is a place on the camera, called the hot shoe, to connect a portable flash. This option may not be available with a point and shoot camera. In which case, you may want to use a higher ISO setting as well as adjust your white balance setting to help with the lighting.

Event Photography Tips #3– Work The Event! Shoot From Many Angles and Perspectives

Move around the event. Remember you want the viewer of your images to know that an event is taking place. You want to capture as many of the happenings as possible, including the people and the place. Try getting down low, or getting up high to get the shot.Try stopping action by using a fast shutter speed, or showing motion by using a slow shutter speed, with the use of a tripod of course. You want to mix it up to keep the images from being boring.

The most important thing about event photography is that your photos must capture the overall happenings of the function. So fill your frames well be aware of your compositions!

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