Second Event

This was my second ever photographic event and my fist paid job. This event was a Reggae event held at a local nightclub. Upon arrival i realized instantly that the light was far to low. This Photo (Left) was taken without a flash unit, and the exposure brought up in Photoshop.

 I asked my employer if he could turn on more lights, which unfortunately made no difference at all. So it was time to bring out the external flash.

Once the flash was brought out, i had a slight play around finding a good balance between stage lighting, external flash and my exposure. once this was achieved i knew the exposure i had to play around with. most of the night was shots like this (right). Up close performance shots.

 I was also asked to take crowed shots. This is something i particularly dislike, however work is work so i took the shots i found interesting. unfortunately with events held in a nightclub, there are lots of drunken people asking for group photographs, and once one group has one, EVERYBODY wants one. This is a fact of photography and you cannot refuse you just have to get it over and done with, especially if you have been asked to do so. Shots like these are my favorite crowd shots, i like to find an image that shows personality but also satisfaction with the event, as opposed to groups of people posing.


I much prefer to be separated from the crowed to avoid this and allow myself to get into the performance photography. Every time i go to an event, i try to find a portrait such as this (right). i like to find people looking completely natural in the most unnatural circumstances, like on a stage. I love finding those Studio type shots out on location. There is always an interesting background and the location often adds a strange twist to the image.



It is also interesting to try and find texture and pattern on location or event shoots. Sometimes. it is the simplest shot that makes a cracking image.

For this shoot i shot mostly in black and white, this was because of the lighting. the lighting was very dim and therefore my images were grainy.

The stage lighting also conflicted with my external flash, often giving a strange balance of coloured light and cool flash.

Overall, for my second shoot, i was very happy with it. despite this being one of the first times i'd used my external flash, i was very impressed with the outcome of the images. I would love to go back and do a similar event with my new experience, and i'm sure it won't be long before i am back at this venue.

Thanks readers!