Great party photo idea. - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/19/2007 03:31:58 PM · #1

My girlfriend hosted a huge feast this weekend to show her Scottish mates what thanksgiving is all about. For a bit of a laugh I set up my camera on a tripod with a couple of flashes in one of the rooms so people could take photos of themselves. I had everything pre-focused and exposed, and everything taped down so it wouldn't move, and marked a box on the floor where people would be in the picture.

I was a little concerned initially that nobody would go for it, as everyone seemed a little sceptical; but after a while everyone really got in to the swing of things, hunting out props and even the most camera shy seemed to be having a great time.

Some of my favourites are below although there are more here if anyone wants to see.

If you are having or going to a party soon I would definitely recommend it, it was a great laugh.

Phil

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/19/2007 03:38:31 PM · #2

Cool idea. Did you give them a remote or something? Could they chimp?

KarenNfld

11/19/2007 03:47:32 PM · #3

What a fabulous idea!! I flicked through them all, some fun shots there.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

11/19/2007 03:48:07 PM · #4

Unfortunately I haven't got a remote so I just had it set on the countdown timer. They could chimp tho having a monitor/tv set up would probably have been safer for all camera gear involved.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

11/19/2007 03:48:18 PM · #5

That's a great idea! It makes me want to have a party so I can try it too. Sort of like a "Speaker's Corner" thing where people can be as goofy as they want, even close the door.

:-)

travis_cooper

Pentax K10D

Pentax SMC- DA * 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM

11/19/2007 04:02:11 PM · #6

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, what does chimp mean?

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/19/2007 04:06:09 PM · #7

Originally posted by travis_cooper:

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, what does chimp mean?

Chimping

liberty

Canon EOS-50D

11/19/2007 04:07:53 PM · #8

what a great idea, and for the shy ones, they probably felt better doing it!! I don't have time to look now, but I will! definatley!!!!

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/19/2007 04:25:50 PM · #9

They look like they had so much fun! What a great idea :)

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

11/19/2007 04:40:41 PM · #10

David Attie did a series called Russian Self Portraits, fun and liberating experience to have your subjects take their own shots.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/20/2007 08:58:16 AM · #11

Originally posted by virtuamike:

David Attie did a series called Russian Self Portraits,

I found a few from that series through google, they are awesome. I love how serious all his subjects are.

Originally posted by virtuamike:

fun and liberating experience to have your subjects take their own shots.

Yeah it was great, and in some ways a learning experience to. Was interesting to see how people reacted to the camera without the pressure of a photographer behind it; and how they posed themselves without expecting to be told by me what to do. The fact that everyone soon started hunting out random props was interesting too, as I doubt I would have gone from the fairly standard poses early on, to this absolute gem:

, if I was doing a more formal photo shoot.

Bebe

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/20/2007 09:13:01 AM · #12

Very clever idea! I may use this this Christmas. I'm impressed with the images you got.

Creature

Nikon D70s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

11/20/2007 09:23:48 AM · #13

That is a good idea ... some cute shots in there. I might have to try something like that at my next party -- plus I have a remote. Did you get anything more risquÃ© as the night wore on that you're just not showing us? hehe (seriously... party + alcohol + unattended camera in a separate room can lead to some interesting surprises on one's memory card!)