front

frontDetailsCONTENTS

Approaching PeopleCamera set up

Aperture (f-stop)Shutter Speed

ISOAngles

Interact with the SurroundingsPeople vs ActsTips and Tricks

Intro

This book is for beginners to photography who don’t really know much about the basics this is how I was when I started and wish I had an aid like this book to help. The book in particular looks at event nightlife photography. I have compiled my knowledge that I have learnt over the years of doing this as a hobby and a job. Most of this knowledge was gained whilst setting up the nightlife photography for my student union. The book goes through the basic settings and tips of how to get the picture you want. The book shows examples of my photography and what setting these were achieved at.

INTRODUCTION

This can be daunting at the start but you get used to it and when you’re in the rhythm you don’t think about it really. Take a few pictures to test the waters. When you have been at the event for little while people actually come up and ask you to take their picture (can get a little annoying some times). The main points are;1.Be confident2.Be polite 3.Always ask to take a pictures if it is a direct picture of some one (may get upset otherwise)

Most people love picture and play up for the camera so just have fun and don’t worry!

APPROACHING PEOPLE

NIkon D90shutter: 1 sec

f-stop: f/3.5ISO: 800

Flash

NIkon D80shutter: 1/30 secf-stop: f/3.8ISO: 1600Flash

CAMERAThe camera used in most of my pictures is a Nikon D90. While doing nightlife event

photography make sure you have the right camera for the job and the

right set up. An SLR is usually a good camera to use because you are able to change the settings on the camera, but a hybrid one like

an Oympus E-PL1 is also alright to use (cheaper for a start out camera).

Changing the setting is what gives you the artistic pictures, the settings

are shutter speed, aperture (f-stop) and ISO (sensitivity of the image).

The lens can be interchanged also on SLRs so gives you more scope and bigger variables.

APERTUREIs the size of the opening in your lens, the smaller the number the bigger the opening i.e f/1.5 will have a bigger opening than f/14. This means the bigger the opening more light can get in. This setting is show on your camera with the “f” in front of it.

(f-stop)

NIkon D90shutter: 1/100 sec

f-stop: f/5ISO: 1600

No Flash

NIkon D80shutter: 0.5 sec

f-stop: f/4.5ISO: 1600

Flash

SHUTTER SPEED

This is how long it takes your shutter to open and close. The longer it is open more light can get in and

also this captures movement of the camera or the subject you are photographing. Lower the number the slower the shutter speed higher the number the faster

the shutter speed i.e 1/8th of a sec is slower than 1/150th of a sec so will be open longer.

ISOThis determines the sensitivity of the camera to light. The lower the ISO the less sensitive i.e 600 is less sensitive then 1000. The higher the ISO the more sensitive to movement it is and adds to blurring/noise. This can be used to your advantage when trying to get that picture of a DJ playing and his movements.

Canon EOS 350Dshutter: 1/15 secf-stop: f/4ISO: 1600Flash

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NIkon D90shutter: 1/60 sec

f-stop: f/3.5ISO: 800

Flash

Look at the lighting in the venue and use it you your advantage. Set your camera setting accordingly and

just have fun. Having a subject stand in front of the lighting can sometimes give you really awesome effect.

Keep and eye out for people doing things be it messing around or playing up to the camera,

they always turn out a good picture.

INTERACT WITH THE

SURROUNDINGS

NIkon D90shutter: 1/50 secf-stop: f/4ISO: 1000No Flash

PEOPLE VS ACTSThere are differences when taking pictures of people who are close up and of bands on a stage. I tend to use the flash when taking pictures of people so that the foreground is really clear. Don’t be scared to mess around with the flash turning it on and off to see what you get. I have found it is all about trial and error when taking pictures of bands, it all depends on what the lighting is like in the venue, the distance you are from them and the movement of the act. Flash guns aren’t always necessary but again are another factor in getting different effects on photos i.e double flash gives you a clear beginning and end picture with movement in between.

NIkon D90shutter: 1/30 sec

f-stop: f/3.5ISO: 1600

Flash

NIkon D90shutter: 1/25 secf-stop: f/3.5ISO: 1600Flash

TIPS AND TRICKS

My main tips and tricks are, take loads of pictures like I said before it is all about trial and error take a few

pictures then change the settings and see what you get. Protect your camera at all times! Being around drunken

people is hazardous if you don’t have insurance on your camera, spills and bumps are commonplace.

I have found people like to see the picture you have taken of them rather than you just

walking off so show it them on your screen on the back, you may get mixed reactions

so if they don’t like it offer to take another one. It isn’t always about

getting a nice picture it is also about documenting an event. A nice picture

can just be a normal one on auto shoot if it is of a good subject. One last little

trick whilst being set up for slow shutter speed try zooming in at the same time as

taking the picture.

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