Which of these 2 lens for a small town parade?

[Ogrt48]

Hi everyone. I own the digital rebel kit lens and the canon 75-300mm lens. I'm not sure which lens would be better suited for a parade since I've never done anything like that. This parade will be on a small 5 lane road most of the time. I really doubt there will be any floats at all, it's more of a Cleveland Ohio home days parade..or so thats what they call it. Mainly just a bunch of weirdos and kids dressing up and marching down the street. :roll:
I have nothing else to take pictures of here so I might as well give it a try. ^_^
Thanks for any replies.. well almost any. *hisses the rude comments away*

[Cadwell]

It's likely the 75-300mm will be more useful... it should be wide enough at 75mm and the long end will allow some decent closeups....

Why not take both though?

[Ogrt48]

Because I'm really shy and I'll be embarassed enough being the only one using a real camera and not a point and shoot.. ><

[MediaMagic]

Because I'm really shy and I'll be embarassed enough being the only one using a real camera and not a point and shoot.. ><

Take a quick shot of brandy and then grab both lenses and go for it.
:P

I think you'll want some wide shots of the parade as well as some tight ones of individual participants, etc. Both lenses will be useful at times. I'd certainly carry both.

[roanjohn]

Because I'm really shy and I'll be embarassed enough being the only one using a real camera and not a point and shoot.. ><

Come on!!! Thats not a good enough excuse!!!

Bring both!!! You'll be suprised how many people actually bring thier SLR's during a parade. You won't be the only one, trust me!!

Ro1

[Biko]

Having done events such as this my preference would be to use as wide a lens you have got, and if allowed getting close in following the parade as it goes along, spending most of the time walking backwards. The only exception is if you have a guaranteed spot preferably above the spectators and looking down the road where you get a clear view of the parade coming towards you.

[DaveG]

Hi everyone. I own the digital rebel kit lens and the canon 75-300mm lens. I'm not sure which lens would be better suited for a parade since I've never done anything like that. This parade will be on a small 5 lane road most of the time. I really doubt there will be any floats at all, it's more of a Cleveland Ohio home days parade..or so thats what they call it. Mainly just a bunch of weirdos and kids dressing up and marching down the street. :roll:
I have nothing else to take pictures of here so I might as well give it a try. ^_^
Thanks for any replies.. well almost any. *hisses the rude comments away*

Although this is slightly off point you might be able to answer your own question when you consider the following:

First off you want to tell a story about this parade. If you were writing the story in words the old W5 would be suggested. That means if you answer the following questions then the story writes itself: Who, what, when, where, why, and the non W: how.

For photojournalism (ie "light writing") I'd suggest you make sure that you come back with the following shots:

ESTABLISHING: This would be a very loose shot showing the parade, the spectator's, the town. It'd be all in one shot and could be used to say, "This establishes [get it?] where we are taking you.

ACTION: That could be the floats, the bands, anything going on in the parade, and is pretty self evident.

REACTION: This is where the prizes are won. Never mind the fire, get the shot of the home owner crying! For the parade there's the shot of the cute kid hding her face from the clown. The mom seeing her kid in the parade. A WWII vet standing alone as most of his buddies are gone.

ABSTRACT: A reflection of a fire engine in a tuba. Don't over do this shot. It's too easy.

DOCUMENTARY: Unlikely that you'll do it but something like a group shot of the volunteers who put on the parade.

So what lenses do you use?

All of them.

[aam1234]

Although this is slightly off point you might be able to answer your own question when you consider the following:

First off you want to tell a story about this parade. If you were writing the story in words the old W5 would be suggested. That means if you answer the following questions then the story writes itself: Who, what, when, where, why, and the non W: how.

For photojournalism (ie "light writing") I'd suggest you make sure that you come back with the following shots:

ESTABLISHING: This would be a very loose shot showing the parade, the spectator's, the town. It'd be all in one shot and could be used to say, "This establishes [get it?] where we are taking you.

ACTION: That could be the floats, the bands, anything going on in the parade, and is pretty self evident.

REACTION: This is where the prizes are won. Never mind the fire, get the shot of the home owner crying! For the parade there's the shot of the cute kid hding her face from the clown. The mom seeing her kid in the parade. A WWII vet standing alone as most of his buddies are gone.

ABSTRACT: A reflection of a fire engine in a tuba. Don't over do this shot. It's too easy.

DOCUMENTARY: Unlikely that you'll do it but something like a group shot of the volunteers who put on the parade.


WAW, this is to be copied, pasted, then saved.

Very valuable information.

Thank you DaveG

[scottbergerphoto]

I like to have two lenses and two bodies with me when I cover a parade. A wide angle to get a good view of a long or wide procession, and a zoom to get faces.
I carry either the 16-35 f/2.8 or 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 or 100-400 IS L. Here is one from the Mexican American Day Parade in NYC:

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/21731893.jpg

If you are interested, the rest are Here (http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/mexican_independance_day_parade_nyc&page=all)
Enjoy the parade,
Scott

[MrKickalot]

Because I'm really shy and I'll be embarassed enough being the only one using a real camera and not a point and shoot.. ><

They'll get over it when they see the picture!! I go to my daughter gymnastics "show off" days where parents can take pictures. Everyone had little P & S film and digital cameras and here I come with my rebel with grip, nifty fifty on it, lenses in every pocket of my cargo pants except the pocket that had my flash in it!! I got funny looks the first time but when I brought some pictures with me... the mood changed!!