Over time, I’ve been asked for advice on taking pictures, or had friends lament that their photos didn’t come out well after a con. So I thought I would give a try writing up my experiences in hopes that it helps someone. I figured that a good place to start would be with a general overview. In the future I may go into different areas in more detail.
A well taken photo shot just outside of the hotel. Good locations can be anywhere.
Con photography isn’t much different from taking pictures at any other event or trip. If you take a little extra time to take your shots, you will end up with much better results. I’m going to break down the process into 4 categories: Camera, Lighting, Composition, and Posing.
1. Know your camera. Fancy expensive cameras don’t guarantee better photos. In fact, if you don’t know how to use them, they might actually make it more difficult because you have more options to understand. Unless you are looking to make large prints or shoot in difficult conditions, a point and shoot digital camera will handle most of your photos just fine. The important thing is to understand how it works, and most importantly, what it’s limitations are.
Does it shoot poorly in lowlight? Use the flash if needed or take it outside. Do all of your flash photos come out washed out? You’re standing too close or have the flash on too high. This is a good example. With my camera I have figured out a good distance for my flash to work properly. If you know that your flash is too bright within 5 ft and too ineffective after 15ft, try to always stand about 10ft away. It seems like a small detail, but it helps.
Summary: Take some test shots and learn how your camera functions.
2. Lighting. This is probably the most important thing to learn in photography, and the most difficult. Most cameras will adjust as needed to the available light. But if it is too dark and you don’t use the flash, the camera will need to hold the shutter open for a long time. This is often the cause of blurry photos.
Photography at its most basic is all about light. If you have good lighting you’ll have a well exposed photo, and almost any camera produced today can figure out if it has enough light So let’s break it down into two very broad categories where you will have problems
Not enough light. If don’t have enough light one of two things will happen. Unless it’s turned off, the flash will fire to bring light up to an acceptable level. This will usually provide a decent shot, though see above about knowing how flash photos come out. . If the flash is turned off, then the camera will keep the shutter open long enough to let in enough light for a good exposure. Unfortunately, if it’s open for more than 1/60th of a second, there will likely be too much shake thatyou get a blurry photo.
No flash resulted in a blurry photo
Too much light.
Doesn’t seem like this should be a problem, but over exposing a photos is as big, if a lot less common a problem as underexposing. This can happen if your flash is too strong or you’re too close to the subject. It also happens outdoors if you are shooting in the sun. This produces very hard shadows and severe contrast between the light and dark portions of the photos. If you are shooting outside look for a shady place.
Summary: Shoot where there is good light if possible, like outside. Flash photos tend to be rather harsh but are likely your only option indoors otherwise.
3. Composition generally refers to the items that make up you photo and where they are placed. Look for a clean area to shoot without a lot of distractions. If people are walking by try to wait until no one is right behind the subject. If you can, move to a better location. Sometimes moving only a few feet to the right or left give you a better background.
You also need to remember that a photo is two dimensional. That light post 20 feet behind your subject will be sticking out of their head in the photo. It takes some practice but you will eventually see more things that might ruin a photo before you take it.
This shot of Vera Vanguard was ruined because of the guy in the yellow shirt. Fortunately I saw this and took another.
Summary:. Be aware of your surroundings, look for a better background for your photos, and wait until your photos clears of people if possible.
4. Posing. Since con photography is likely that of people, I’m adding this in as the 4th item. It won’t affect the quality of the photo itself, but it may affect how interesting it is, or how the person looks. If you can, ask your subject to pose, or give them a moment to get ready. Most people in costume will happily pose for you, and may even have a few ready. Some are open to being posed. However, let me make a very important point.
Be polite. Ask nicely, and if the costumer is busy or not interested, move on. You could just have bad timing.
There’s a lot more to taking photos, but I think these simple rules will help with most of the shots you might take. And one more thing, if you have a digital camera, review your photos. You should be able to tell if you need to retake a shot right then and there. And have fun!
Conventions
