Festival Photography

Spring signals the arrival of festivals, parades and other community events. It doesn’t matter if you are four or eighty-four; these events are fun for everyone. Below are some basic photography tips and techniques to maximize your photography at medieval festivals, civil war reenactments and Native American pow-wows.

Festival Photography Basics -

Find a great spot. This usually involves getting to the event early so you have a choice of spots. Don’t expect to get into the areas where the press photographers shoot, though. That usually requires you to have a Press Pass. If the event is being televised, try to get close to the area where the TV cameras are located. The passing bands and other parade members are the most lively when passing this area.

With the right lens, you can get great photos shooting from a sidewalk or bleachers. If you’re shooting from a sidewalk, stake your claim early. If you’re shooting from bleachers, get up a couple of rows higher than street level. Also check the location of the sun and try to position yourself so it will be at your side or back. Avoid shooting into the sun.

Deciding on which camera and accessories to use -

If you are using a compact camera, one with a Zoom lens range of 38-110 or greater should be adequate. If you are shooting SLR, carry both a 28-80mm and a 80-300mm zoom lens. Also, carry a flash. As with all flash photography, know the range of your flash and stay within it. Many photographers don’t think of using fill flash during daylight hours, but fill flash will prevent dark face areas especially if your subjects are wearing caps or hats that shade their face.

As far as sensor speed, use an ISO 200 on sunny days and ISO 400 if it is overcast. The higher ISO will give you more motion-stopping shutter speed on cloudy days, but still your photos will have great vibrant color.

Medieval Festivals -

If you like festivals, it is hard to beat a Renaissance Festival. Check out RenFestUSA to find out where the nearest one to you is located. There is something in almost every state. Most feature a medieval castle with a full royal family, knights in armor, village tradesmen and of course, court jesters.

All festival participants are in traditional costumes which are usually brightly colored and very ornate. It is easy to shoot photos of knights in shining armor jousting or craftsman practicing their medieval trade.

Civil War Reenactments -

During the summer there are many events reenacting Civil War battles. The Re-Enactment Headquarters website lists those events.

Usually included in a reenactment is an encampment where the participants and their families live in tents for several days. Horses, authentic clothing, flags, and other period paraphernalia add authenticity to the event.

You will find numerous participants willing to be photographed. They may ask for a print in return, but that is a small price to pay for the privilege of shooting. In this setting, semi-candid photos – pictures of the people interacting while “working”- are the best. Take pictures as they cook over an open campfire, discuss battle plans and don their colorful uniforms. The battle recreations usually take place in the afternoon, but get there in the morning to shoot individual pictures as they prepare for the “battle”.

Native American Events -

Pow-wows, the traditional dance and music competitions, are incredibly colorful events. Stop by this website for a nation-wide listing of events. Arrive at least an hour before the dancing and music begins to ensure you get a good seat. Try to get a few rows up in the bleachers so you can shoot down and eliminate distracting backgrounds.

These competitions tend to get very crowded so it is difficult to photograph individual participants, but it is still possible if you work at it. Use a 100-300 mm zoom lens to get those tight shots.

Before and after the actual competitions, walk around the grounds with your camera. Here you will be able to get some individual shots, but ask permission before shooting and observe the rules of courtesy.

Portions of the events may be closed to photography and those will be announced beforehand. Respect the wishes of the tribes as during these times, as these portions of the events are very sacred to them.

Asking Permission -

When photographing large groups or parades, you really don’t need permission because photography is taken for granted. However, when you photograph individuals or small groups of participants, ask permission first. If they decline, observe their wishes and move on.

Try to develop a rapport with the individuals before asking permission to photograph them. Your semi-posed shots will be much better.

Aside from the entertainment value, photographing these events gives you an opportunity to develop your people photography skills. Even if you are a shy photographer, soon you will be caught up in the moment and snapping away.

In Summary –

Use the tips and techniques presented in this article to take some great colorful festival photos. Once you see your results, you will be hooked on festival and event photography.

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