| If you are considering becoming an Event | | | | bring the costs down. Some of the more obscure |
| Photographer this guide may be useful. I spent a long | | | | brands like Shinko and Olmec are often tricky to |
| time researching all the kit needed to be a successful | | | | source. |
| Event photographer, testing and costing carefully. It's | | | | We are happy with the speed, quality and reliability |
| all current gear available now so it's up to date unlike | | | | of our printers, but more importantly, our customers |
| some of the guides I read. | | | | love the results. |
| I've been on training courses and I've done quite a | | | | 4. Mitsubishi Click System for Event Photographers. |
| few different Events now, so this is to help others | | | | My background is in colour technology as mentioned, |
| avoid some of the common mistakes. This guide to | | | | but prior to that I was a DEC system manager, I |
| Event photography is based on my personal | | | | have a HND in Computer Science and am a qualified |
| experience and you are welcome to reproduce it as | | | | programmer. Yes, I'm old enough to have done all |
| long as you credit this article with the website | | | | that and spent 7 years in the Army controlling |
| address | | | | Artlillery fire by computers and by slide rules and log |
| I do recommend anyone interested in Event | | | | books when those systems were taken out. |
| photography going on the excellent training course | | | | So I'm probably more of a technical geek than most |
| supplied by Systems Insight, speak to Mike Orr, | | | | photographers. So why did I choose a dedicated |
| Stuart or Darren at systems insight. I've also found | | | | turnkey solution for producing event photographs |
| the Event Photographers Society really useful. | | | | rather than use my expertise in PC and Mac |
| It is divided into sections as follows: | | | | solutions? |
| 1, Camera Equipment needed for Event | | | | Laziness really, why re-invent the wheel! I quickly |
| Photographers; | | | | realised that to make any money at all in Event |
| 2. Lighting equipment for Event Photography; | | | | Photography you have to produce very good |
| 3. Printers for Instant Event Photos; | | | | photographs to a very high standard very quickly! |
| 4. Mitsubishi Click system for Event Photography; | | | | Work flow is very important. Initially I was either |
| 5. Green Screen Event Photography; | | | | going to use a big 27" Mac with a studio display for |
| 6. Starting an Event Photography Business. | | | | quality to handle all the incoming pictures, or go down |
| 1. Camera Equipment for Event Photographers. | | | | the Windows 7 route with a couple of fast Sony |
| You don't NEED the latest high-end professional DSLR | | | | Vaio AW notebooks with their gorgeous Adobe RGB |
| with pro glass lenses to shoot an event! It's nice to | | | | 18" monitors, with either system linked to a dye-sub |
| have good kit but that should be a given for any Pro | | | | or two. |
| Photographer. In reality the customer at a football | | | | But once I started looking at the workflow and |
| tournament, school prom or black tie event doesn't | | | | software required I realised the Mitsubishi Click would |
| care what kit you have as long as the results are | | | | cover all the bases. Yes, I could run either system |
| good, and you don't want to be carrying a heavy | | | | quickly and use dedicated green screen software and |
| camera with fragile glass in an environment that is | | | | professional retouching software to produce stunning |
| often boisterous and busy! | | | | results. But then who would take the photos? I |
| You don't need to shoot huge resolution RAW files | | | | needed a system that was streamlined and simple to |
| and won't have time to post process or mess about | | | | use so I could train others to use it. |
| with hundreds of settings.You are aiming to get a | | | | My first event was a corporate Xmas dinner and the |
| sharp, vibrant and well lit photograph of enough | | | | only person available to do the green screen effects, |
| resolution to print at your final output size. | | | | printing, mounting and sales was my wife! The Click |
| Concentrate on making the people look great! | | | | system is very straightforward, you set up a new |
| I do recommend a wireless work flow which I cover | | | | event and pictures are sent wirelessly from the |
| later, and again you need the files to be small enough | | | | photographer. Selecting them by just touching the |
| to send quickly. I use a Nikon D700 but that's only | | | | screen allows for full screen previews, once the |
| because I have one for Property photography as I | | | | customers have decided which photographs they |
| need the full frame and low light capabilities. | | | | want it is quite easy to drop in a green screen |
| I shoot jpg at just medium resolution for most | | | | background and print, all by touch! |
| events, and use a Sigma 24-70mm HSM lens so I can | | | | Camera cards and CD's can be easily read or burnt, |
| quickly zoom between individuals and groups. A Nikon | | | | multiple printers are supported and the whole system |
| D40 with a kit lens will do just as well. and I always | | | | runs smoothly and look very professional. We've |
| carry one as a backup. It also takes my Nikon | | | | even had customers connect their own cameras or |
| flashguns and is much lighter than a D700. | | | | mobile phones by bluetooth and print their own |
| It is important to have a backup camera, I've even | | | | photos! My wife managed well on our first event, and |
| made do with a Nikon Coolpix P6000 when my D700 | | | | we had over thirty satisfied customers that evening, |
| was being used pitch side at a Cricket Event. With | | | | in a very short period of about 2 hours from when |
| proper lighting (see lighting section) I got almost | | | | the meal ended to going home. |
| identical results shooting people in front of a green | | | | Many purchased multiple photos, with different |
| screen. You must have at least one fully charged | | | | backdrops and effects, but she handled it all while I |
| spare battery for each camera at an event, a couple | | | | took the shots. Now we have more trained |
| of spare and preformatted memory cards, and spare | | | | assistants as it did wear her out a bit:) But I still |
| batteries for your flashguns. I use the new Duracell | | | | wanted the flexibility and power to use more |
| rechargeables for the flashguns as they stay | | | | specialised green screen software to drop in overlays |
| So don't go mad on the camera kit, it will get bashed | | | | and fine tune some of the more tricky effects. |
| around at an event! As for settings, indoors I shoot | | | | So with a bit of help from the techies at System |
| at around f7.1 to f8 for groups so I get good depth | | | | Insight I worked out how to access the system |
| of field, I use shutter speeds of around 125 to get | | | | directly, and underneath the smooth software front |
| sharp shots as I don't like a tripod, too restrictive, | | | | end is a powerful windows PC. So now if we get a |
| and I use ISO 400 to get enough sensitivity. White | | | | really special request (like "put me in the Oval Office |
| balance is easy on a Nikon, see lighting but the flash | | | | with President Obama") I can jump in and alt tab to |
| setting will do. For individuals and couples I open up to | | | | Photokey or Portrait pro running in the background! |
| around f5 and shoot full length, head and shoulders | | | | And yes, you can print directy to the dedicated |
| and a close-up. Outdoors events are more dependent | | | | 9550DW by dropping jobs straight into the queue, |
| on the available light and the lens. | | | | email for details:) |
| One tip, using a wireless transmitter to send the | | | | You can also boost the processor speed, add more |
| images straight to your PC, Mac or Click system | | | | RAM, put in a HDMI graphics card to support external |
| avoids the pitfall of people (the ladies mainly) wanting | | | | displays, even change out the motherboard if you |
| to see each shot on the back of the camera as you | | | | are brave enough and don't mind voiding your |
| take it! That gets them through quicker and lets your | | | | warranty! |
| team at the workstation show the images properly | | | | I'd recommend this system to anyone starting out, |
| at full size. I do actually keep the images stored in | | | | and would also recommend you buy it from Stuart or |
| the camera as a backup though in case the wireless | | | | Darren at Systems Insight as they know the system |
| system stops working. | | | | well! |
| Another tip, if you are shooting groups at a School | | | | 5. Green Screen Event Photography |
| Prom or Corporate event, take a stepladder! If you | | | | To be successful in Event Photography as in any |
| get above them and shoot down it changes the | | | | business you need a key differentiator, something to |
| angles and stops the people at the front looking | | | | make you unique. We all provide basically the same |
| much larger than those at the back! This lets you | | | | service, photographing people having a good time and |
| squeeze bigger groups in as well, especially useful if | | | | offering prints or downloads. Some specialise in niche |
| you are shooting in front of a green screen at an | | | | markets like weddings or school photographs, or |
| event. | | | | certain types of events like Equestrian or |
| Also, if you ever get a large group of girls at a | | | | Motorcycling. I chose Green Screen Event |
| School Prom or Sweet Sixteen event, take LOTS of | | | | Photography for a variety of reasons. |
| shots! It is very hard to get a single photo where | | | | I like the portability of our lighting system and didn't |
| every girl is happy with how she looks, guys really | | | | want to spoil that by having to carry around various |
| are not as fussy. The girls will buy the photo that | | | | huge coloured backdrops for different occasions. I |
| they look best in. | | | | find it boring having dozens of people shot the same |
| We tend to charge the standard rate £10 per | | | | way, and I'm sure most people who go to events |
| shoot including a 6x9 mounted photograph, but do | | | | are getting fed up of the same bluey grey backdrop, |
| offer incentives for groups such as discounting copies | | | | or the "ultra modern" white or black high or low key |
| of the same photograph, or offering 3 for the price | | | | shoot. |
| of 2 if they are different shots that need processing. | | | | I want to have fun at an event and want the guests |
| 2. Lighting Equipment for Event Photography | | | | to experience something new. So we shoot |
| I don't use studio lighting for indoor events! Initially I | | | | everyone in front of a blue or more usually a green |
| used the standard large softbox above the camera | | | | screen and then our special software can replace |
| and shot in front of a grey, back or white backdrop. | | | | that colour with any of our 2500 digital backgrounds! |
| But that's boring and old hat nowadays, the lighting is | | | | This gives us the flexibility to add classy studio |
| very flat and there is always the risk of people | | | | backdrops to Black Tie and Corporate Events, and |
| tripping over cables and the hassle of finding a | | | | lets us choose appropraite colours to enhance what |
| nearby power socket. | | | | the guests are wearing. |
| At School proms, Bar-Mitzvahs and especially Sweet | | | | For School proms and Sweet Sixteens we can get |
| Sixteen parties it gets very busy and although we | | | | the guests flying through space, on stage with their |
| carry full insurance I don't want a heavy studio light | | | | favourite rock bands or in the latest movies. Bar and |
| falling on a guest. It's the same at Corporate events | | | | Bat-Mitzvahs are great fun as we can transport the |
| and Black Tie dinners, there's usually a huge rush | | | | guests anywhere in the world, and for all events we |
| after dinner for photos and even a taped down light | | | | offer free personalised overlays and designs so the |
| can get pulled over by an inebriated partygoer! | | | | event is memorable and unique. |
| So now I use a Nikon SB-900 on the camera with | | | | The secret to Chromakey Event Photography is |
| the wide-angle flap down and the soft diffuser fitted. | | | | keeping the workflow fast! If you offer a guest |
| This controls two other Nikon SB-600's also with the | | | | 2500 choices, expect a huge queue or a lot of |
| wide-angle flaps down using Nikon's excellent CLS | | | | disapointed people. We tend to design 10 choices for |
| lighting system. The two SB-600's are mounted on | | | | each event and will print an example of each so they |
| sturdy but portable stands and shoot through white | | | | can decide before we shoot. That way if they are |
| umbrellas for lovely soft lighting. | | | | going to be posing alongside a Twilight Vampire or on |
| At an Event you don't want to be messing around | | | | the dance floor with John Travolta, they can strike |
| changing lighting when you have queues, but this | | | | an appropriate pose! It does slow things down having |
| setup is flexible and light enough to be safe to move | | | | to add backdrops but we prefer the interaction and |
| quickly if you need to. The Nikon system lets me | | | | the guests enjoy the experience. |
| control the brightness of each flash directly from the | | | | It's not all about getting them shot and printed to us, |
| camera without having to touch the lights. | | | | some event companies work like a slaughterhouse |
| As we use Green Screen backdrops at most events | | | | concentrating on quantity rather than quality, that's |
| to add effects and digital backgrounds, I have to | | | | what the auto cameras at theme parks are for, we |
| ensure the backdrop is evenly lit to avoid problems | | | | would rather spend a little time earning our money! |
| when chromakeying out the green. By mounting the | | | | We prefer green screens to blue screens as less |
| umbrellas high up at either side and shooting through | | | | people wear the actual shade of green we use. Blue |
| them, the green (or blue) backdrop gets evenly lit | | | | clothing, eyes and jewellery are more common and |
| where it matters. The guests get a nice flattering | | | | can cause probems unless you know how to mask |
| lighting setup which I can easily adjust for large | | | | out those areas. We use very special green screen |
| groups or closeups. I | | | | material now, direct from the film studios. This is a |
| I shoot on full manual with the on camera flash at | | | | special white backed material that absorbs light and |
| about 1/32 power to give a little fill light, but mainly | | | | glows evenly. Ordinary green muslin will reflect light |
| to trigger the two mounted lights. These are usually | | | | and cause problems especially with very blonde hair. |
| on about 1/8th power which is plenty! Recyling is | | | | Contact me for details, it's twice the price but worth |
| very fast and I've never had to change batteries yet | | | | it! |
| at an event, although I have charged spares on hand. | | | | Don't worry about evenly lighting the backdrop as |
| If I get a large group like a football or cricket team | | | | many claim, that will just cause more spill and you |
| at a sporting event I can quickly move the two | | | | need more lights power and cabling! You can't get |
| sidelights back and up the power.If it quietens down | | | | your guests the recommended 10-12 feet away at |
| and we get a guest who wants some special shots, | | | | an event, which you need to if you light the |
| the lights can be moved so one acts as a keylight | | | | backdrop! Imagine if you were shooting a group and |
| and one as a fill for classic Rembrandt lighting. We | | | | they all had to be 12 feet in front of the cloth!, how |
| have professional makeover software running on the | | | | big would it need to be! Using pro software lets you |
| workstations so can enhance pictures quickly if | | | | quickly adjust for spill and reflected green light. |
| someone wants portfolio shots. | | | | The trick is to light the people not the backdrop, that |
| The SB-900 on the camera can also be removed and | | | | should only appear in the gaps anyway and if you |
| used as a slave for hair lighting or other effects, | | | | have a light enough green it will work. Less is more, |
| triggered by the on canera flash. So we can do a | | | | light from the sides and above so any shadows are |
| three light setup easily! White balance is crucial, on | | | | still green and they will disappear.We use overlays |
| Nikon cameras just stand where the subjects will be, | | | | and backgrounds to get realistic Magazine covers and |
| set the white balance to "pre" then hold down the | | | | special effects. |
| wb button for three seconds. When the display | | | | People don't notice that usually the models on |
| flashes, point the camera back between the lights | | | | magazines go in front of the title heading but behind |
| and shoot. If it says "good" in the display, you are | | | | the informative text! And watch out for copyrights, |
| set to go. If not, try shooting again straight at one | | | | design your own magazine covers that are similar but |
| of the sb600, it will work! | | | | not identical, you can buy these from the USA as |
| The real beauty of this system is that it all fits in one | | | | overlays..PNG files are best but won't work on the |
| calumet rolling case and is easily portable! It is very | | | | Click, you need to do what we do and switch. |
| flexible for other types of photography. These | | | | The President Obama shot is a good example, He is |
| flashguns are just as powerful as studio lights, and | | | | in the background, the guests are dropped in on top, |
| we even carry Fong diffusers and softboxes just in | | | | then the desk is added as an overlay in front. |
| case we get a chance to do some glamour | | | | 6. Starting an Event Photography Business. |
| photography. (and yes, you can book us for private | | | | Don't believe some of the salesmen out there who |
| shoots!) | | | | claim it's a licence to print money! That is their job |
| 3. Printers for Instant Event Photos. | | | | and they do it well, but like any business you need to |
| I used to to run a large independent company selling | | | | really work at it. Most pro photographers woudn't |
| calibrated colour printers, scanners and displays into | | | | dream of doing a photoshoot AND supplying a |
| the corporate design market and previously worked | | | | framed large photograph for a tenner! And don't |
| with Canon, Xerox, Mitsubishi and Tektronix as a | | | | think just because you get a booking at a black tie |
| colour consultant. So choosing the best Event printers | | | | event for example with 100 people that you are |
| was an interesting exercise! | | | | going to sell 100 photos! |
| Inkjets and colour lasers were instantly dismissed as I | | | | 30% of those people won't even want a photo |
| needed portability, reliability and photographic quality. | | | | taken! That's just the way it is. There won't be many |
| Plus I needed to know exactly what each print would | | | | single people wanting a photo on their own, and |
| cost. An inkjet will produce the quality with a bit of | | | | there's always a large group who want just one shot |
| tweaking but will never match the quality, speed or | | | | of all of them, but will buy additional copies at a |
| durability of a dedicated dye-sublimation printer. | | | | discounted rate. That leaves the couples, so that |
| I don't believe in compatible inks as I've seen first | | | | brings you down to around five singles, a large group |
| hand the amount of R&D that goes into a | | | | and twenty couples. |
| manufacturers own ink. So ink-jet prints are going to | | | | You will earn about £300 at an event of this |
| be too expensive for event printing. Lasers are fast | | | | size. Ok, that's a small event but just about possible |
| but lacking in colour quality, and extremely tricky to | | | | for two people to cover so that's only one assistant |
| transport. After testing all the current offerings I | | | | to pay. Then there is the cost of the prints, mounts |
| decided on the Mitsubishi 9550 DW linked to the | | | | and bags, travelling costs, insurance costs not to |
| Mitsubishi Click system as our basic workhorse for | | | | mention an hour to setup and an hour to pack down |
| producing large 9 x 6 inch photographs. | | | | plus sometimes many hours of waiting for a dinner |
| As I use a full frame camera this is exactly the size | | | | speech to end. |
| the camera shoots at, so no cropping needed! The | | | | Don't forget the website you need, the adverts to |
| photographs are fast and very accurate thanks to | | | | get bookings, the expense of all the gear, marketing |
| the dedicated colour profiling we use supplied by | | | | your website, the admin and post production work to |
| Systems Insight and fine-tuned by me! | | | | get the images online. The usual business costs of |
| The dye-sub process basically involves heating the ink | | | | stationery, phone bills, promotional gear and all the |
| on a ribbon until it turns into a gas and sublimates into | | | | insurance. |
| the special paper. This is a true continuous tone | | | | Also remember there are a lot of excellent |
| process so the colour gamut is much wider than | | | | photographers out there, and anyone can buy a |
| other processes, giving smooth and accurate skin | | | | good camera, lens, and a fast printer and go out and |
| tones with no dot patterns. | | | | do this. The big companies will already have the big |
| You can actually roll a photograph up and stand it in a | | | | events sewn up, So you need to use your contacts, |
| pint of coke, leave it for hours and then wipe dry | | | | ask around, advertise and promote. Offer to do |
| without any signs of running or fading, as | | | | some small events free for the practice, but still |
| demonstrated on the training course by Stuart! | | | | charge the going rate. Even if you only sell 10 shoots |
| These photographs really won't fade and are | | | | in a night, the experience is invaluable before you |
| fingerprint proof thanks to the special coating. They | | | | tackle a busy event. |
| will last longer than any other photograph! | | | | Once you get a booking, splash out on some pop up |
| The fixed cost per photograph allows us to offer | | | | banners showing what you do, flyers and business |
| discounted pricing for pre-paid events like weddings | | | | cards. When you get there and setup, take a few |
| or school proms as we know exactly what our costs | | | | test shots of the bar staff, waitresses and event |
| will be per photo regardless of how much of each | | | | organisers to test everything. Frame these up and |
| colour is used. | | | | give them out as gifts, asking them to show the |
| But we also offer a unique digital make-over service | | | | guests! Great advertising! Get the DJ to tell guests |
| for events using a very special PC with professional | | | | where you are and what you are doing. Work the |
| retouching software so needed a printer we could | | | | tables if it's quiet. Above all enjoy it and be polite and |
| connect directly. And we wanted to be able to offer | | | | professional as you are representing us all! |
| instant 12" x 10" photos and other large sizes for | | | | That's enough secrets revealed for now, if anyone |
| Sporting Events like football and cricket events | | | | wants to ask any questions feel free. This is just my |
| where team shots are popular. | | | | opinions and experience so far, I'll add more as I get |
| So we decided on the larger format Mitsubishi as well | | | | time. If you find this at all useful, please tell others, |
| as we have now found out it also works on the Click! | | | | I'm not charging to write all this, nor am I selling |
| Consumables for the Mitsubishi Event printers are | | | | anything, but links to my site will really be |
| readily available and therefore discounted prices help | | | | appreciated, or a mention in any blogs etc. |