Shooting Events - Sample Images

This past week I shot a breakfast awards event, recognizing volunteers, put on by the city where I live. I used a D300/17-55mm (with some flash) and a D200/80-200mm (no flash). Here is my approach to shooting events. How about you? Shot the D300 at ISO 1600 and the D200 at ISO 800, my max for these two cameras.

In this case I tried to show the speaker, the awards, and the audience. I look for unusual angles.

Okay, boring registration table, but it is part of "documenting" the event. Actually, it had quite of few "Likes" on a city Facebook page because the woman smiling is a popular head of a local charity.

I like to catch the important people in casual mode. Here a city staff member, and two members of the city council.

Straight-on shots of people speaking the podium can be boring, so again, I look for different angles.

In this case a low angle while speaking, with the flag in the background.

Caught the mayor and a city councilman chatting between awards. Okay, some candid interest here.

It is hard to avoid this type of award photos, but I sometimes take another one after asking them to "look at each other and chat." It gives variety. Getting the right background can be difficult because you rarely control it. This is the mayor and a member of the city council.

Audience shots give a feel for the event. I had several, just one shown here.

80-200mm here. This candid got the most "Likes" on a Facebook page. She is a popular member of the City Council, and leader of a local charity.

Perhaps look for a few pretty faces. A city staff member in this case.  Also 80-200.  Hand held at 1/45 sec, whew, barely acceptable!  Could have used VR.

Anyway, comments welcome. It was fun, and they got a better set of photos than if someone had done it with a P&S (or a cell phone).

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JohnE
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