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Point, Click and Shoot! Taking Association Pictures in a Snap.
Posted on September 03, 2010 by Priscilla Rodriguez
In our last post, we shared some creative ways to use your event photos. Today, I want to share with you some tips on capturing excellent pictures if your budget does not allow for a professional photographer. I have learned that photography is an unspoken language. You don’t have to film a movie to tell a story; your thoughts can be conveyed in a snap—simply by freezing an action or capturing an expression. Photography is about capturing a moment in time. These photo stories can truly capture the essence of your organization.
If you are interested in doing some photography, here are few things that can help keep photography simple and fun.
1. The first rule in photography is…don’t take the fun out of it!
Relax. Don’t think about it too much, walk around a room and just shoot. Don’t think about angles, lighting or what your subject is wearing. Just shoot. All those other things will come later.
2. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Digital cameras give you the ability to shoot as many pictures as you like without spending any money. Experiment with all the settings and options your camera offers. You can’t hurt your camera, and you never know what will “develop.”
3. Did someone say experiment?
Look into some of different accessories you can add to your camera. Photography doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a variety of tripods you can purchase starting at $10. You can also purchase used items (lenses, flashes, etc.) on eBay, or http://www.keh.com/—great prices for used equipment in great condition.
4. Don’t be shy.
Get up-close and personal. Don’t be afraid to get close to your subject. Also, unless you need to see what a person is wearing, zoom in. Your subjects’ clothing should not be a part of the message you’re trying to convey. Zoom into their faces, and if possible, add their hands to the picture; most people “talk” with their hands.
5. Don’t announce yourself.
Try to keep your camera below eye level, as to not bring attention to yourself. You want to capture your subjects in a relaxed state, in conversation with others, reading posters or giving speeches. This is a great opportunity to show emotion.
6. Let’s get technical.
Built-in flashes are great, but keep in mind that they will generally illuminate up to 10 ft. In low-lit rooms, increase your film speed to 800 or higher. Use lower speeds for outdoors. The higher your film speed, the more grain you will have in your photo. You many have to experiment with shutter speeds, film and flashes until you get the right combination. Tripods and self-timers are also useful in low-lit situations; they eliminate camera shake.
7. Look Out!
Take note of your subjects’ surroundings. You don’t want branches sticking out from behind someone’s head that may look like antlers. Keep the light behind you, not your subject, unless you’re aiming for a sunset mood.
These are a few basic photography points to keep in mind when shooting for a conference or for yourself. Shooting your own events can help your association save a lot of money, and it really is a lot of fun (plus you get to meet the members!).
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