Conference Photography - How the Landscape is Changing for Corporate Photographers
Hi Everyone
As I approach the winter conference photography season with a conference photography commission in Edinburgh next week, I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the challenges and new issues facing conference and event photographers. I have been photographing conferences around Scotland for over 15 years and it is an aspect of corporate event photography that I really enjoy. As conferences are mainly held indoors - you may get the occasional outdoor group shot - the development and advances in digital camera equipment is very important for photographers involved in this line of work. I have just purchased a Canon EOS R Mirrorless camera and I cant wait to start using it at conferences. The improved ISO performance over the years has been fantastic for conference photographers, you cant always use flash and in some cases they wont allow flash at all, so you need this facility. One of the reasons I am looking forward to using the EOS R, is the ability to shoot without the loud shutter noise you get from DSLRs. This is vital in conferences as the constant shutter sound can annoy delegates. Smaller cameras are starting to show equal performance with the large DSLRs and this will also make life easier for photographers. I often attend events where some photographers still insist on using large lenses when there is no need. Large gear can intimidate the delegates and there is also an increased risk you could whack one the delegates on the head with your your massive telephoto lens. Wifi enablement can be very useful at conferences and often you are asked right away for images, this can be handy and prevents the need to carry a laptop. The improved focusing and touch screen facilities in new equipment can also be very useful for corporate event photographers. New lighting off camera flash and more portable equipment is also a boost for event photographers. All this means of course that more is expected of us, so you may find yourself working harder now at an event, but this is all good, as there is more scope for creativity and in some cases our job is a bit easier due to the technological improvements.
Hope all this helps, happy snapping.
Until next time.
Kind Regards
Colin
www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk
www.edinburghphotographer.com
Making Time for Art for Professional Photographers in Scotland
Hi Everyone
Every photographer is different and my time as a professional photographer in Scotland is largely divided between my corporate conference photography commissions in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland and outdoor events, mostly sports photography in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fife. So you can imagine that it is fairly seasonal to a certain extent, although I also photograph a number of conferences, award events and student graduation balls during the winter months. There is however, a period between November and the end of February where things slow down a bit. it is probably just as well as I can often work flat out in the spring and summer. Whilst marketing, training and general networking can dominate these winter months in my case, I also ensure there is time for personal projects and the art of photography. Indulging in your passion every now and again is essential for photographers. This year, I plan to extend my infrared photography in Scotland project to try and include some new subjects not normally associated with infrared photography - watch this space. I also want to re-visit my puddle photography in urban areas in Scotland , in addition to a Three City Triangle project encompassing Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, more details soon. Whilst winter is challenging due to lack of light and poor weather, it can be a great time for photography due to lack of crowds, dramatic light and night photography.
So, from next week, all will be clearer, but my advice to you is get outdoors and just go for it in the winter. it will be worth it, I promise.
Kind Regards
Colin
www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk
www.edinburghphotographer.com
Scrapyard Photography and the Importance of Photography Projects
Hi All
As I finish a very busy period as a professional photographer in Scotland and head into a time when I may have a little bit of free time for a new photography fine art venture, I think this is a good time to reflect on the importance of starting a new project. As a mainly conference and event photographer, usually at venues in Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland, I tend to base my projects on genres of photography entirely different from my day to day work. I have in the past completed a number of project based on subjects including the following: scrapyard photos, infrared photography, puddle images and black and white urban photography. Someone once said to me why not just rest when you are not busy or do something non-photographic but I think there are a number of reasons why a photography project is so important. here they are below:
1. You can often make money from your projects, I have made a sizeable income from infrared photography and have also sold scrapyard images. Many a quiet winter has been saved by sales of fine art work
2. You can make your project the subject of an exhibition, which can lead to sales and increase your profile
3. Projects keep you fresh
4. you can use the skills you have learned in your day to day corporate commissions ie I supply wedding clients with infrared photos, in addition to the main images they receive
5. It enables you to explore your creative and artistic side, which is what most of us photographers should be about and I think we need this kind of feedback to keep going
Anyway, hope this helps.
Until next time.
Kind Regards
Colin
ww.colinwrightphotography.co.uk
www.edinburghphotographer.com
G8 Summit Edinburgh
Image from the G8 summit in Edinburgh by corporate event and newspaper photographer Colin Wright Edinburgh Scotland
Urban Photography Edinburgh and Scotland - Tips
Hi Everyone
As a professional photographer working around Edinburgh, I often get asked for advice or to complete surveys for students and recently I was asked by a student at Napier University to complete a questionnaire relating to urban photography, particularly Edinburgh. As a corporate event photographer working in and around Scotland, I enjoy the break from commissioned commercial work to add to my urban photography portfolio. I also tend to double up and do some infrared photography in urban locations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee to name a few. I have also done some urban photography in Germany.
Anyway, as part of the questionnaire, I was asked for advice for urban photography, so here we go:
1. Try different angles, I do a lot of low angle on the ground shots, they work particularly well when puddles are involved
2. Check the weather forecast
3. Decide on whether you want people in the image ie and then plan the time of your trip accordingly
4. Travel light, so you can be mobile, mirrorless cameras are ideal, maybe just a small fisheye lens also
5. Try something different
6. A small tripod is useful, if not, then a gorillapod - make use of fences and railings if you are using an attachment device
7. Ignore people that give you funny looks. It will be worth it if you really get that striking photo
8. Study past masters and Social Media. instagram has some great urban images
9. Urban photography is just landscape photography in the city. All the rules for landscape photography apply
10. You dont always need people for urban photos, check out my portfolio, I hardly ever shoot recognisable faces
Hope this helps.
Until next time.
www.colinwrightphotogrpahy.co.uk
www.edinburghphotographer.com
Kind Regards
Colin