Typical Event Shoot

What do I bring for a typical event shoot?

The minimum I can. Which for yesterday’s event, a political meet-and-greet in Orléans, was:

  • A camera (1Dx Mk2)
  • A prime 35mm/1.5 lens
  • a 70-200mm/2.8 lens
  • A 580EX flash
  • Spare batteries, spare flash

Normally a spare camera too.

So what is the reasoning?

Bounce the flash (in TTL mode) off the ceiling behind you when using the 35mm lens. This means you can light, and you can add modelling – like here:

Matt Luloff, Candidate MP, Camera Set to 1/60 sec, f/4, 200 ISO.

35mm is ideal for events. Consistent geometry, consistent photos. An wide enough to take crowd shots:

When speeches are part of the event, you use the 70-200mm lens. Without the flash this time. You can go close up:

Or a little wider:

These were taken at 1/80 sec, f/2.8, 800 ISO. Set to the lowest f-number, slightly faster shutter because of the long (stabilized) lens, and then ISO to match.

And you can get fun shots:

How many photos did I take in the hour and a half I was at the event?

75, out of which I chose 60 to share. Avoid the temptation to take 600 photos – all will be the same and it’s just extra work.

Day 13

The rest of my self portraits are posted elsewhere, but here’s day 13. At some stage I will re-post all of them here. Day 13 is “making do”. Sleep, shower, shave, etc, TV, sleep, repeat. What else is there to do?

Covid day 13: Making Do.

For today’s portrait I use a prop. And the camera is set to f/16, 100 IUSO, 1/250 sec. The light is a single speedlight fitted with a Honl Photo 1/4″ speed grid. Took about 30 seconds to do this portrait. Now the rest of the day…

Store, School, Gallery, Shop!

Big news — in a few weeks, I am opening my new mall studio/school/store/gallery on Orléans, Ottawa, Ontario. Based in Place d’Orléans mall, this shop will have me in it much of the time and will do the things outlined in its web site, www.michaelwillemsphoto.com.

The opening is August 15, but as you can see, it’s almost ready for business. If you are in or near Ottawa, give me a call!