Section II Shooting
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to a major competitive event, such as a balloon
rally or regatta or auto race. In rural areas, an
important event is the annual county fair, which
includes agricultural displays and competitions,
contests of various kinds, entertainment events,
and carnival rides, Figure 9-33.
These events provide opportunities to
perfect photographic skills under a variety of
conditions. Parades lend themselves to various
ways of recording the activity, from wide shots
of participants and spectators to close-ups of
costume or equipment details, Figure 9-34.
Flea markets or swap meets associated with a
festival are good places to practice candid street
photography of sellers and buyers interacting,
Figure 9-35. Competitive events from auto and
boat races to kite flying to cycling and rodeo
riding are colorful and allow you to perfect
action-shooting techniques. Indoor events under
stage lighting, such as dance performances and
concerts, Figure 9-36, require good timing, a
steady hand, and the ability to shoot using only
available light.
camera, you have the opportunity to make
many exposures without worrying about film
or processing costs. The yearbook or newspaper
editor will appreciate the extra shots you take.
Other Event Photography
Our lives are filled with events, from
community activities to family celebrations,
worth photographing. Shooting such events can
be considered a form of photojournalism, since
you are recording activities for future reference
or for the enjoyment of others who will view the
photographs.
Community events
Most communities have one or more public
celebrations or festivals each year. These may
be a commemoration of a historic event, such
as the anniversary of the town’s settlement,
or a promotional activity for the region’s most
important agricultural product, or activities related
Figure 9-33. A good time to photograph a carnival scene is between sunset and full darkness. The twilight period
provides enough light to help illuminate the scene, but a sufficiently dark sky to let the colorful lighting stand out.
Meter the sky near the horizon as a starting point, then bracket exposures. This photo was made at a 1 1/2 second
shutter speed at f/5.6 with a 28 mm wide angle lens. The slow shutter speed blurred moving rides and some of the
people on the midway.