Tag Archives: Events

Tip of the day: Events

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Michael Willems

When shooting “camera-aware” pictures at events, here’s a tip: Shoot every picture twice. You should tell your subjects “we’ll do it twice”, and then do two shots. Why? People blink. But not twice. You may get focus wrong in one … Continue reading →

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Back to basics

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Michael Willems

You know that as an event shooter, I use TTL (through-the-lens flash metering, using a preflash) very widely. Much as it is sometimes hard to predict, it is the only thing you can use when things are moving quickly. Like … Continue reading →

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Graduation season

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Michael Willems

It’s graduation season. Right? So many parents are out to shoot their kids’ ceremony. High School, Grade School, Music School, University: important moments in a life; milestones that really deserve to be photographed. And understandably, you ask “how”. So in … Continue reading →

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The order of things

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Michael Willems

When I shoot an event, in difficult light, here is how I start: Camera on manual; 1/30th second at f/5.6, ISO400; Flash aimed 45 degrees up, behind me. I check if that gives me a reading of -2 stops on … Continue reading →

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Shooting events

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Michael Willems

A corporate shoot the other evening, with an assistant/second shooter. A music school shoot all weekend. Many more shoots coming up: lots to do, and lots of fun. I like shooting indoors events, because with training, it is simple to … Continue reading →

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The horror.. the horror…

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Michael Willems

…of walking into a venue where you have to shoot, only to discover that the ceiling is about 1,000 ft high and the walls are black, and there is zero light. My strategy? In this order, I: Reduce Shutter to … Continue reading →

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Establish

Posted on January 3, 2011 by Michael Willems

(EDIT): When shooting an event, always shoot a “B-roll” of images, as movie people would call it. In your case, as a still photographer you use your B-roll to help establish “where, why, who, what, and maybe even “when”. So … Continue reading →

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TTL: 10 Problems, 20 Strategies

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Michael Willems

I shot an event yesterday that prompts me to give you some TTL management strategies. This is a long post – one that you may want to bookmark or even print and carry in your bag. TTL Management Strategies? Huh? … Continue reading →

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Event lenses

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Michael Willems

What lens to use at an event? I hear this question all the time, and it is a good question.Especially with “events” happening all over, during the next week or so. In my upcoming “Events Photography” workshop I’ll talk about … Continue reading →

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Storytime

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Michael Willems

When you shoot an event, say a party, remember to tell a story. That means you also shoot, in addition to the “grip and grin” happy faces, the following background shots: Where? – an “establishing shot” What? Is it a … Continue reading →

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