Some photographers have a unique knack for adequately capturing the energy of a live event in photos. In the first few moments of looking at an image, you can see and practically feel the raw emotion, excitement, and energy pulsating in the scene. Lets discuss how you can do this, too.
Understanding the Event
Any attempt to capture the energy of a live event in photos must begin with an understanding of the event itself. What type of event are you shooting? What emotions are your subjects likely to display? What moments are likely to stir intense expressions of emotion? Knowing these can provide you with a guide on which moments to capture.
Researching Past Events
Going through photos, videos, and reviews from past events similar to the one you’re shooting helps you understand more about what to expect at the event. This way, your understanding of the event doesn’t solely rely on what you’ve been told but what you’ve seen first hand.
Positioning and Timing
Positioning and timing are key to capturing the energy of a live event in photos. Your positioning determines what you’re able to capture while your timing determines when you’re able to capture it. These two variables should be used to your maximum advantage if you’re to capture the energy of a live event in photos successfully.
Choosing the Right Position
A good position gives you a clear view of the action at the event. This could be the stage, where you can easily capture everyone’s reactions, or a spot where you can see the crowd and their reactions. Either way, your position must not be static. Moving around the event could give you different perspectives of the event, each uniquely capturing its energy.
Perfect Timing
Perfect timing captures a split second that encapsulates the full energy of the live event in photos. This split second could result from an unexpected event or a predicted reaction to certain cues in the event.
Techniques to Use
You can enhance your ability to capture the energy of a live event in photos with certain photography techniques. These techniques could be as simple as adjusting the settings on your camera or more complex, like introducing additional equipment to capture an unusual perspective.
Continuous Shooting Mode
Continuous shooting mode gives you a higher probability of capturing the energy of a live event in photos. Since you’re constantly shooting, you’re more likely to capture peak moments in the event.
Wide Shot and Close Up Mix
Using a mix of wide shots and close-ups gives your viewers a complete perspective of the event. While your wide shot captures the scale and grandeur of the event, your close-ups capture the emotions of individuals at the event.
Implementing these techniques will help you remarkably improve how well you capture the energy of a live event in photos. It’s an art, which, like other forms of art, requires continuous practice and improvement. The more live events you shoot, the better you become at capturing their energy in photos.