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Event Photography...And Other Questions

  • 04-08-2009 10:18am
    #1
    Sabre0001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,499 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys,

    Dipping my toe into the water here so please be patient (I may regret this thread in a matter of moments :D ) Have been involved in a (competitive) gaming website since November and have had the pleasure of being able to attend some events - some Irish, one International. Now I am trying to do a lot at these events - have to do news posts, would like to be able to do interviews and video blogs / captures (going to need to grow more hands and eyes perhaps!)

    The other aspect is photography. I am just wondering what tips people have (a broad question I know). I have seen people say "tell a story" but is that always possible (think sports photography - closest comparison that could be drawn - emotions, action, drama, excitement, etc).

    I saw a great photo taken on another site of one player sitting alone with his head bowed. This was linked to his defeat. Turns out it was just captured at a random point in the day when he happened to be like this. Is it through experience that you learn to capture the shot...or do you just prepare for what could happen (i.e. you see this opportunity but it's a boring picture on its own. Suddenly you can link it to a loss)? Managed a similar version with this shot (Kinetic^ was just talking to an admin at the time...but at a later point, had to replay the race because of a bug in the game):

    3355591317_6580593001.jpg


    The other thing I would like to ask is about a camera. Mine is pushing on and can't keep up with the demands. Gaming is an odd one in that many of the rooms are dark...but then there is a bright screen with lots of movement. And of course, at the end of matches, there can be quite a bit of movement with celebrations or handshakes etc. Many events do not allow a flash (distracts players). Honestly, would prefer a point-and-shoot as I'm not a specialist and trying to juggle so many other things. So, any recommendations to cope with the demanding life (a wide coverage on budget would be a plus)?!

    Practice is also certainly needed....unfortunately can't buy that! :D

    🤪



Comments

  • #2
    mervifwdc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 410 ✭✭mervifwdc


    If you want no flash, and good results, you are probably looking for a DSLR and low light prime lens(s).

    For a budget, start looking at a 30d, 450d (available 2nd hand), and something like a 50mm F1.8 or 50mm F1.4, each available for a few hundred.

    also look at a sigma 20 F1.8 for a wider shot (if you can get REAL close).

    If you want to see what they look like, call into a camera store and ask to see them, I'm sure there are similar in the Nikon range too.


  • #3
    Skittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 413 ✭✭Skittle


    Sabre, having been to a few LAN events and being a very amateur photographer, I'd say that light is going to be a problem so the advice mervifwdc gave you is spot on.

    As for the "telling a story" aspect. If it's a competitive event with clans etc. try and take shots of them meeting/planning together. Then get shots of gamers engrossed in playing the game (try taking from the back of their computer as then their monitor will cast some light on their face. Also there's always bound to be someone asleep at their machine or with their machine open and tinkering with the insides etc. Also I think you need to show the scale of the set-up, so some wide-angle shots would be good too. Also look at the layout, if it's rows of tables you might be able to get some nice depth-of-field type shots.


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