Event Photographers...? - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

05/18/2010 10:37:05 AM · #1

I did a little research on the net looking for Event Photographers in hope of finding anything...anybody new, bringing something slightly creative or different to the party.

Does anyone here have any links to a few people that kick butt at this type of photography? I assume there's gotta be someone out there doing it with style...?

Cheers - S

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

05/18/2010 10:53:16 AM · #2

Looking for inspiration? I don't know offhand, but I'm curious what sort of events you are referring to.

Message edited by author 2010-05-18 10:54:10.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

05/18/2010 10:55:43 AM · #3

Steve head over to FM.com and look at the Wedding section, lots of creative guys there using off camera at events.

Matt

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

05/18/2010 11:06:12 AM · #4

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Looking for inspiration? I don't know offhand, but I'm curious what sort of events you are referring to.

Corporate events/parties...fund raisers, done at Night Clubs...or Lounges, to be exact. Not weddings because the energy is different at the corporate stuff.

Matt - Thanks but I'm not sure where I'm looking on the FM site...?

Message edited by author 2010-05-18 11:08:26.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

05/18/2010 11:09:58 AM · #5

I'd be interested in what you find. I've been asked to shoot events for the YMCA. It's not an area of expertise for me, though they have been very happy with what I have done for them sofar. (And they are paying next to nothing.)

I shot a charity run last year and found participants were very eager to ham it up for me as they were jogging past. It resulted in some fun shots. And, like I usually do, I got down for a very low perspective.

Actually, they had hired a "pro" for this event, and they liked what I did better.

Message edited by author 2010-05-18 11:15:59.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

05/18/2010 11:28:46 AM · #6

More specifically...indoors with a flash, or using the ambient light.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

05/18/2010 11:36:55 AM · #7

Originally posted by pawdrix:

More specifically...indoors with a flash, or using the ambient light.

Ah, I understand what you are looking for now. I'll be paying attention to hopefully pick up some tips myself.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/18/2010 12:21:30 PM · #8

i'm not necessarily 'doing it with style' along the lines of applying a noveau gauche wedding photography style to corporate events...

however, i do a lot more than walk-around-eye-level-documentations of events (which is typical of most "pros" like what spiff experienced). mostly, my clients are interested in my delivering a catalog of multi-purpose images with sustainable shelf-life, in addition to the standard grip-and-grin & posed shots.

here's an overview (be sure to look at the things to consider. while style and pizazz is nice, content and value are king.

here's a museum event i shot last year.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/18/2010 01:01:40 PM · #9

Cool. I like the Museum set. Glad you used both a mix of flash and a good deal of ambient light shots, as well.

What do you use as a flash modifier? Also, do you use an extension chord off the hot-shoe so, the light isn't to direct? It's a pain...holding out your arm but the effect is good.

Message edited by author 2010-05-18 13:02:24.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

05/18/2010 01:14:25 PM · #10

Originally posted by pawdrix:

for the most part i'm using a fong-o-sphere ;-)

i haven't done the hotshoe cable, but i'm not ruling it out. for the most part, i'm shooting with two bodies, one with a 16-35 and one with a 24-70 (that's the one that carries the strobe). i typically lock it down at 1/125 and f/5.6 at whatever iso gives me the background and shadow detail i want (usually 400-800). the main thing i want to avoid is images that look like white balloons on a string against a black background...which is pretty easy to do when caucasians where dark suits and white shirts. if there's enough light, i might try grabbing some handheld shots with the 70-200.

you want to balance getting the shots you have to get of the people that you have to have with getting stuff that no one else typically looks for.

here's another video from another event i shot this spring. it's also really helpful if you have someone leading you around, pointing out the people they really want shot.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/18/2010 01:25:09 PM · #11

Originally posted by pawdrix:

That's why flash brackets are popular. They move the flash off axis from the lens, which eliminates red-eye and puts the shadow low, behind the subject.

When you mix light sources, there are two things to consider; the light level and also the color of the light sources. The flash is going to be 5500K, but the ambient light can be just about anywhere. It's usually easier to correct the flash to match the color of the ambient light. Sometimes, the effect of mixing the two sources can be pleasant, and that makes it easier.