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!
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I need to license this shot to Guinness
These kinds of shoot are often the best. Everything was relatively spontaneous, or at least we were planning it out as the shoot progressed. Ideas get tossed around. “We’re in a bar, we need to do a fight scene!” (Those pics are coming). It also seemed to be a lot of fun for the pub’s patrons. While many where con goers, some definitely weren’t. The table next to us were having a great time and snapping picks of the whole affair.
Lots of stuff goes on at this Tavern apparently. Arm wrestling is common. I’ve heard this gentleman has never been beaten. Or spilled his drink.
Though apparently they still part as good sports.
Arms are sometimes traded
Looks like she needs to pay up.
And of course there is often quite a bit of silliness going around.
Never touch Ev’s stuff without asking first…
This is only part of the shoot. I will be uploading more to flickr over the weekend, and then you can look for part two posted here next week (and maybe part three if I get swamped) when I finish.
]]>The following Designers contributed to the show:
DreaFrances Designs: http://www.modelmayhem.com/754797
Bianca Lindblad http://www.biancalindblad.com
Berit New York http://www.beritnewyork.com
Dennis Carmen http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftybenu/tags/workinprogress/
KVO Designs http://www.kvodesign.com/index.html
Kristin Costa http://www.kristincosta.com/
Bizarre Boudoir: http://www.modelmayhem.com/720236
Raine Anakanu: http://dragorath.deviantart.com/
Accessories provided by
Brute Force Leather: http://bruteforceleather.com/
Leatherheads: http://www.wickedvillage.org/profile/DixieDellamorto
I have updated the original post with the designers links. I am also working on updating my photos with the designers name and link for each outfit as I can, but if you are looking for a particular piece it shouldn’t take you long to browse through the designers sites to find the one you want.
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There is no doubt that the steampunk world is filled with creative people. Just seeing what is worn around an event is evident enough. So what happens when they put on a fashion show?
Dress by Bizarre Boudoir
We found out at Wicked Faire. Now let’s be fair, this wasn’t the first one done, and won’t be the last I’m sure, but it is the best one that I’ve personally seen seen in terms of the entire production. Everyone out did themselves, the models and outfits looked fantastic, and it was a great setup in terms of stage and lighting.
The show was organized by Britney Frady-Williams of Berit New York and
Evelyn of www.jaborwhalky.net.
The show MC was Steampunk author G.D Falksen.
Since this was a fashion show, I tried to incorporate photos of the entire outfit, even though I wasn’t always happy with all of my full shots from a photography standpoint. But I posted them anyway, so you can be the judge. Although I did create a set of my favorites photos and posted them at My Favorites
The following Designers contributed to the show:
DreaFrances Designs: http://www.modelmayhem.com/754797
Bianca Lindblad: http://www.biancalindblad.com
Berit New York: http://www.beritnewyork.com
Dennis Carmen: http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftybenu/tags/workinprogress/
KVO Designs: http://www.kvodesign.com/index.html
Kristin Costa http://www.kristincosta.com/
Bizarre Boudoir: http://www.modelmayhem.com/720236
Raine Anakanu: http://dragorath.deviantart.com/
Accessories provided by
Brute Force Leather: http://bruteforceleather.com/
Leatherheads: http://www.wickedvillage.org/profile/DixieDellamorto
KVO Designs
There was an excellent mix of outfits in the show, including steampunk adventurers and victorian wear. No one look or style was overdone. Although I don’t think you can actually have too many corsets in a fashion show in general.
Outfit by Berit-New York
It wasn’t just the ladies walking in this show. Several male outfits were represented as well.
Outfit by Berit-New York
A number of outfits were animal based, but still kept with the style of the show. Very creative.
DreaFrances Designs
Dress by Bizarre Boudoir
Outfit by Berit-New York
Brute Force Leather
Design by Bianca Lindblad
Full write ups and photos will be coming over the course of the week.
If we met at the Faire please either comment or drop me a message in the contact section.
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1. Be well rested. You’re going to be on your feet for long periods of time. For some cons you may not want to sleep. The better shape your body is before hand, the more strength you’ll have during the event.
2. Read the schedule/make a plan. I’m not saying you need to be bound to a schedule, but the con is. Pick out events that you want to do so you can plan for them. Big panels may have a long line that you need to prepare for. Large cons like Dragon Con can have 20-30 things going on at the the same time. Or you might see that you should plan to wear your costume with heavy body armor or 4 inch stilettos on the day that you don’t need to run 4 city blocks from one hotel to another. Uphill.
3. Drink lots of water. This one’s important. If you take one thing from this article, take this one. Dehydration is a killer, you will have less energy, and be more open to catching something. And by the time you’re really thirsty, it’s usually too late. And this point is even more important if you plan to drink lot’s of other things of the alcoholic variety, which dehydrate you even more.
4. Eat. Only slightly less important than number 3. You are going to need your strength. Food can also be expensive or require a wait at bigger cons, so it’s usually a good idea to bring some snacks or an energy to carry around. Plan your time, pack a sandwich, and eat your lunch while waiting in line for a big panel.
5. Sleep. I’ve seen people go three days straight at dragon con. By Monday it’s not pretty. It’s easy to forget that you need a at least a few hours of sleep. Some of us need a bit more than that. Try to get in at least 4 hours. And if you want to stay up partying, take a nap in the afternoon.
6. Don’t over pack. If you have a hotel room you can leave most of your stuff there and drop off purchases. If you don’t you may have to carry things on your person, and that can get heavy after a while. Bring a backpack if you can to carry things . Pack a bottle of water, your snack or energy bar, you con schedule, and your camera. You shouldn’t need too much more than that.
7. Bring your camera. Perhaps I’m biased, but you will regret it if you don’t have one. Browse through my con photos if you want to see some of the things you might run into. And you never know when you might have a chance to get a photo with Dean Venture.
8. Costumes. Half the fun for many is dressing up. I will do a full article on cosplaying for the first time, but here are a few pointers.
- Make sure it’s something you can wear for a few hours. Wear it around the house as you might at the con. That includes the shoes.
- Think of the weather. Atlanta in August is not the time to be trying out a giant panda suit.
- Be prepared to watch your stuff. See if you can bring a friend along to help you
- Be prepared to stop and take pictures. Lot’s of people go to these cons to take pictures. If you’re in a costume you may get stopped. If you’re an attractive female in a sexy costume, you’ll get stopped a lot
9. Hygiene. I shouldn’t have to mention this one, but there is a reason that cons have a certain reputation. If it’s a multi-day con take bath or shower. You’ll feel better and people will appreciate it. And it helps with that whole not getting sick thing.
10. Behavior and rules. I’ve seen people forget that they are interacting with other human beings. Be on good behavior. Yes we all want to have fun but don’t be a dick about it. Don’t antagonize the staff or other attendees. Many of the staff are volunteers, and they deserve your thanks for enabling the con to run, not your annoyance because you don’t like the rules. Also remember that the con has to follow rules too. A weapons policy might be because of a city ordinance. Buildings have strict fire codes and if too many people are in one place a can may not be able to let anyone else in. And if you really have a grievance take it to the con office or ask to see someone with some authority.
11. Keep an eye on your badge. Most con’s have strict no replacement rules. Get a sturdy lanyard or some way to better secure it to your person. I also put my name and cell number on the back. I like to think the majority of people at cons are decent human beings, but if there is no way for them to find you all they can do is drop it off with security. And the inverse of this should be obvious. If you find a badge or any lost property, turn it in to the con.
12. And of course, have fun! Some people take cons way to seriously, and forget the reason we are all there.
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