20 November 2019
Nightclubs or party venues are probably some of the places you can take some fun, memorable and interesting photos. You will find yourself capturing unique moments, great people and occasionally your favourite artist or DJ. However, there are some challenges that come with photographing in settings like these for instance poor lighting, uncontrollable crowds or knowing your camera settings. So, let’s take a look at these;
Examine your venue
The last thing you want when you show up for a job is realising that the venue is too small or the lighting is terrible and you didn’t bring the right gear with you. Each venue will vary therefore make it a point to at least check out the place beforehand to ensure you are not met with any surprises. Some of the key elements to look out for are;
· Lighting – If you are photographing in a setting that is poorly lit or has dark walls, you will want to pack a few lights with you (Speedlight, constant light, LED). Venues with white walls can be very favourable because you can get away with just shooting with a Speedlight and simply bouncing the light off the walls.
· Size – As mentioned before, each venue will vary and some places may have multiple rooms which will be setup differently. This will also help you get an idea of the crowd size to expect.
What is the best gear?
As a photographer you want to make your job as easier and comfortable as possible so you’re never having to carry around a load of heavy stuff in most situations. Everything we discussed in the previous section goes hand in hand with this topic. Scoping out your venue in advance will allow you to be well prepared and equipped with the appropriate gear. Here is the best setup for you;
· Camera – A full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera will be your best choice for most scenarios. You will also need a model with a high ISO setting because this will be necessary for low light venues or environments. In a typical nightclub scenario, your settings may go as high as ISO 1600.
· Lens – Just like your camera, lenses also play a big part in getting you the best results. I highly recommend investing in Prime and Zoom or Wide-angle lenses. Prime lenses with a fast aperture are ideal for low light situations and can be anything from aperture f1.4 to f2.8. For smaller crowded venues or situations where you might want to capture closer or wider shots of the stage and crowd, a Zoom or Wide-angle lens will do the job in any of these cases.
· Flash – Lighting in most places can be very unpredictable so having a flash like a Speedlight attached to your camera can solve this issue. Try not to point the flash directly at your subject and instead adjust your flash to bounce the light off a wall for better results. If you are in a venue with high ceilings or dark walls, use a diffuser to soften the light and achieve a flattering look on your subjects.
· Bag – Having a reliable and light camera bag strapped around your shoulder or waist will secure any extra lenses, camera or batteries you may be carrying around with you. You may come across a few individuals that will not be considerate of your gear in some of these venues so make sure to protect your gear at all costs.
I hope you find some of this useful if you’re a beginner or just someone looking to learn some new tips or tricks on Nightlife photography. However, my best advice to anyone would be to just go out, shoot and have fun. You learn better being out in the field and experimenting with different tools and environments. Here are some of my work in case you need some inspiration.
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