Perparation is Everthing

Preparation is everything, what do I mean by this?
Well you are off to photograph an event, wedding, or just going to take pictures at a family event. So you need to make sure you are prepared for that task. So what do you need to do?
Before I go off on a photoshoot I run through a checklist that I have developed to make sure that I have not forgotten anything, nothing worse than turning up somewhere with a flat battery. It is a bit like to turning up to a black tie event in t-shirt and jeans, it does not look good.

So what sort of things should be on your checklist?

Well mine includes things like :

• making sure the memory cards are cleared
• Batteries are charged
• Lens cleaned
• Mirror cleaned
• Camera bag packed with what you need
• Lens cleaning equipment
• spare batteries
• spare memory cards
• plastic bag in case of rain
• filters
• note book
• maps
• water bottle

I am sure we can all add more to the list. The more prepared you are for a photo session the more enjoyment and he better chance you will have of getting some great photos. For my trips into WOMAD, I have made sure I have everything in the above list, and since I am covering it for a major magazine I make sure I have business cards, media passes, copy of the program. I also use my iPhone for note-taking and recording sound bites as well. I also often carry a small video camera is case there is something that can only work as a moving image. If you are lucky enough to afford it a spare camera is also rather handy.

So think about what you need the next time you are taking your camera out.

Below is a pic from my coverage of WOMAD from my other blog

Media gaggle

Photographing Events

It is that time of the year in Adelaide, where we have a lot of Festive events such as the Fringe Festival and WOMAD. So there is the potential for you to get the camera out and take some photos, but is there?.  You need to know what the legality of taking pictures at these events are. At WOMAD no member of the general public is allow to film or photograph the event, it is in fact a condition of entry to the event. It in fact reads:

“The recording, photographing or filming of artists in performance on stage is not permitted.”

So the only way to photograph this event is to be part of the media which requires you to jump through some hoops. I have got my media pass and will be photographing the 4 day event and you will see the results on my tech theatre blog HERE or at CX magazine.

So if you are going leave the camera at home and enjoy the music. Now the Fringe festival does have some opportunities to take pictures, these are mainly the open, outdoor free events that are happening throughout the festival. For ticketed events to following applies:

“No audio or video recorders or cameras (including mobile phone cameras) may be taken into the venue or used without permission of the event organiser and venue management by prior arrangement. A breach of this condition may lead to the confiscation of all equipment and removal of the patron from the venue.”

So if you do want to photograph an event in a venue you are going to have to do some ground work, by contacting the venue and they may give you contact details of the artist. You then approach them and hope for the best.

Now if you do get to photograph a show in a venue, what are the things that you should be aware of? Well the first thing to think about is the other members of the audience. There is nothing worse than a photographer moving around in the audience. Don’t even think about using your flash, this is rude, and if it is a dance show it will put the dancer off and cause an injury. I have seen a few cases of this as a theatre technician.

Now you decide to show your pictures that you have taken at the show on the web, or publish or exhibit. What happens here? Well you need to make sure you have written permission from the venue, performers and the producers of the show. You also need to credit them in the pictures along with the lighting designer, it is his lighting that you are also photographing. Now if you intend to sell the pics you need that in to be written in the agreements, as there is a possibility that you may have to pay a fee to the various parties involved.

Now if you are asked to photograph an event that is a slightly different matter. You still will need to have writtrn permissions and credit all of the right people, but you will probably get to photograph the event at a rehearsal, therefore you won’t annoy audiences as you wonder around shooting.

So happy shooting