Thoughts on MFT/DSLR/lens usage during a Commencement

So the DSLRs and 18-55mm kit lens were out in droves today for a very large commencement.  Most popular cameras in use would be basic/old DSLRs (most likely crop with 18-55 type kit lens).  I saw one person with a higher end Canon and most likely 70-200 white lens.  Plenty of smartphone, P&S, and even tablet camera usage.  Not sure if I saw any MFT at all, pretty sure I saw at least 1 NEX.

I had no idea about the geography, settings, arrangements, or *anything* and it was extremely crowded with minimized mobility due to heightened security at crowded public events, etc.  I am still trying to improve my photography, but my first thought would be...ok I have no idea what to expect, I know it'll be sunny...in fact most likely too sunny (was right about that).  So my 24-105L would definitely get me the best captures right as there is no need for primes?  Well we may never know because I didn't bring it.  I kept a 40mm f2.8 pancake on a 6D in a sling bag, and a 45mm 1.8 on my E-PM2 + VF-3.

This is where I ended up sitting.  This is a 90mm equivalent focal length...wider would just show more people to the left and right.

Kinda far right?  If you use your loupe you might see the graduates up in front!  So a 24-105L would have done nothing if I'm stuck here.  And not sure what people are going to do with smartphones or tablets from here.  And a great white telephoto setup still would be mostly garbage as you wouldn't shoot anything good from this vantage point anyhow nor would it be really feasible.

Was really hot and sunny and a bit boring so I decided to just take some shots to document what it was like to sit in the crowd with the E-PM2 + 45mm usually with my favorite subject being my daughter.

Straining to see anything worthwhile under the shade of a commencement schedule

Quick snapshot under the shade of a tree

And finally...I sneak all the way to the front to try to capture at least *some* usable commencement 'walk' picture.  The 8fps + VF-3 helped out here.  Not having a large camera with a big white also helped, and being familiar with a 90mm equivalent focal length helped vs just having a telephoto zoom.  Vantage point still not the best, but remember its *very* crowded and all I could hope for was to capture a moment in time where she walks between people (and again keep in mind I have *no* idea about arrangement, location, or even good ability to even anticipate when the moment would really happen).  My 6D + 24-105L would have been larger, all black and soaking up all the sun rays, and more of a hassle for me to sneak to the front and the 4.5 FPS would not have done me any favors.

After that came the 'group' or posed family pictures with my 6D and 40mm.  I was tired at this point and almost always dislike taking posed 'firing line' group shots.  Usually its my wife that 'drives' these types of photos.  I liked the idea of shooting against trees and an angled brick building with windows for some converging lines as I thought it'd work well with shallow DOF and there was no one there, but she wanted to take pictures where *everyone else* was taking pictures.

Some are hilariously bad.

An example of a set up 'prop' for photo taking...people lined up for this one

Oooh we need a picture with this banner.

This is where a lot of people took pictures...of other people taking pictures

That is how my daughter smiles for posed shots...this is why I prefer candids.

Anyways not sure what the point of my post is, however I am not sure I would agree that 'zooms' are always the best choice for 'versatility' in unknown and challenging situations.  Oh and for whatever reason a police officer really liked the look of my E-PM2, 45mm and VF-3 setup.  Also I still love my 6D + 40mm f2.8 for shots *I* like to take vs posed shots.  I do wonder about the average picture taken by the average DSLR at this event...or even the pictures from the one person I saw with a white tele.