Event shooters that use primes: Q on technique

gasrocks wrote in post #16779396
IMO, it all boils down to experience. Given that one would be able to know what lens is need next and change and not lose that shot. Yes, zooms can be nice but they do tend to make people lazy. A very experienced photographer with primes will get better shots than someone else with zooms. As in most areas: know your subject.

(fixed some typos)

Yes, but a very experienced photographer with two bodies, or one body and a zoom, will also turn in better work than an inexperienced shooter with one body and a bag of primes.

6d + 50 mm
and
SL1 + 85 mm (135 mm equivalent)
backup
Fuji X100s 23 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Is there a reason you wouldn't use the gear you have?

Why screw up a shoot because you want to play with a couple of primes?

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16777857
I've been shooting some random events here and there, next big one I got coming up is our annual work lunch. These are good opportunities for me to practice my photography, since these pictures are just going on Facebook and nobody really expects anything beyond snapshots anyways.

When I've shot events I've always used at least 1 zoom lens, but this time I'm going to go with two primes - 50mm 1.8 and an 85mm 1.8 I'll probably pick up down the line.

I only have one body that I'm going to use, so generally what's a good technique for using multiple primes? Do you like to constantly change lenses back and forth through the event, or primarily use just 1 prime for most of the time, and then switch in the other prime for more specific shots?

Heya,

I assume this is a non-important event, just a luncheon where no one is going to be upset if you don't get specific images. I do a lot of casual event shooting with family and the kids at events (soccer, big gatherings, family events, sports, etc). When working with primes, I go wider, instead of longer because you get better composition options from fast shooting. Also, primes make peoples flaws very obvious, so a smaller crop with more environmental context is nicer to most people and is more flattering rather than a tight mug shot where you see all their features, super sharp, and not flattering sometimes. Depends on the people obviously. But I try to make people enjoy seeing themselves, so wider tends to be that for me. You also want to get photos that are not weirdly composed due to being too tight and not enough room to back up or recompose, etc. So a wider prime does well for me in that sense, because I can just take the shots, and crop down a little to get the composition I want, without having to worry about not having the ability to do that, and having images that are just unbalanced or too tight for print (always keeping in mind print for me at least, if its just web use, that's different), as I like to keep a comp that has edges that are going to be frameable and not ruin the composition or cut off details (hair, hands, etc).

I like 35mm and 85mm for my working focal lengths. For very wide use, I roll 16mm (equivalent of 24mm basically). Overall, I prefer 35mm for most things, when mingling in and within 3~4 feet of people. 85mm for setting up portraits and doing specific mug-shots of people from 10+ feet away.

And definitely two bodies. Even a cheap old XSi is a good 2nd body for this. Again, if it's not for serious printing, and just web use, or small prints (4x6, 5x4, 8x10) you really are going to be fine even with an older camera.

If it were a serious shoot, like a wedding, I wouldn't fool with primes, and I'd take a 24-70 zoom and 70-200 zoom, on two bodies. I'd only break out a prime for a specific series of portraits, and only before/after the actual event, for guests and what not.

Very best,

I shoot events with primes and one body. Contrary to popular belief it really isn't impossible. I switch lenses at opportune times and think about where I'm going to be next and what lens I'm going to be using next. Anticipate and plan a step or two ahead of what you're currently doing. Really, you should be doing this whether you're shooting primes or zooms. Don't just wait for the shots to happen, go out and make the shots you want to make. Sure, you may miss a shot or two...but you'll miss a shot or two whether you're using primes, two bodies, zooms, whatever.

Back in the day, I shot everything with an 85mm 1.8 Nikor. Worked for me. OTOH, my friend, pro Charlie Harbutt shot with a Leica and a 50mm lens. And we both made magazine covers! <g>

SqueekyBoy wrote in post #16778785
Been there, done that. Please allow me to suggest you reconsider. With two cameras on a dual rig of some sort, I can switch bodies, get a shot, switch back, get another shot and be deciding what to do next while you are still cussing because your dropped your second lens. Or stick with a zoom.

I know, I was being a smartass . I'd do that for a paid gig or something like that where I can't afford to miss shots. Definitely not for a work event where I'll look like a total weirdo with 2 DSLRs. The reaction I'll get there is "who the hell owns two DSLRS?!"

bacchanal wrote in post #16779543
I shoot events with primes and one body. Contrary to popular belief it really isn't impossible. I switch lenses at opportune times and think about where I'm going to be next and what lens I'm going to be using next. Anticipate and plan a step or two ahead of what you're currently doing. Really, you should be doing this whether you're shooting primes or zooms. Don't just wait for the shots to happen, go out and make the shots you want to make. Sure, you may miss a shot or two...but you'll miss a shot or two whether you're using primes, two bodies, zooms, whatever.

Thank you, this helps.

mattertea wrote in post #16779433
6d + 50 mm
and
SL1 + 85 mm (135 mm equivalent)
backup
Fuji X100s 23 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Is there a reason you wouldn't use the gear you have?

Well I'm not going to take two DSLRs. But an 85mm on 6D and X100s as a backup is kinda appealing, I may do this.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16779871
I know, I was being a smartass . I'd do that for a paid gig or something like that where I can't afford to miss shots. Definitely not for a work event where I'll look like a total weirdo with 2 DSLRs. The reaction I'll get there is "who the hell owns two DSLRS?!"

Opportunities like that are made for experimenting. Have fun. Until late last summer I had 3 DSLRs, 3 film bodies, a film P&S and two digital P&S. Two is nothing. Or my nerd-tolerance is higher than yours.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16779871
I know, I was being a smartass . I'd do that for a paid gig or something like that where I can't afford to miss shots. Definitely not for a work event where I'll look like a total weirdo with 2 DSLRs. The reaction I'll get there is "who the hell owns two DSLRS?!"

Why should you be ashamed at having multiple cameras? Personally if I'm out photographing, I take the equipment to get the job done. I really don't care, in fact I never notice, people looking at me work.

I take photos at "events" with only one FF camera and usually three lenses, 28mm, 50mm and 85mm. I use quotes because these events are performances/concerts and not weddings, etc. I guess there are disadvantages but considering I almost never take any photos at apertures smaller than f/2.2 I wouldn't be able to do that with an f/2.8 zoom lens.

The point of being an event photographer is not to photograph every moment...if that were the case, you might as well use a video camera. As such, you're not just there to document but you're also there to find the right moments to capture. Having two bodies is nice and would allow you to capture more, but that usually leads you to the spray and pray kind of shooting where you just fire away at everything and later you realize that you shot more crap shots than key moments.

Two bodies are good, helpful and all but they're not a requirement. What you need more is skill than gear. Going to forums like these usually make you think that you NEED gear in order to be a (proper) photographer. As far as lens choices are concerned, the 50 and 85 seem a bit too close. Perhaps get something wider (like a 35) and keep the 85. You can also go long with a 50 and maybe a 100 or 135.

deanedward wrote in post #16781793
The point of being an event photographer is not to photograph every moment...if that were the case, you might as well use a video camera. As such, you're not just there to document but you're also there to find the right moments to capture. Having two bodies is nice and would allow you to capture more, but that usually leads you to the spray and pray kind of shooting where you just fire away at everything and later you realize that you shot more crap shots than key moments.

Two bodies are good, helpful and all but they're not a requirement. What you need more is skill than gear. Going to forums like these usually make you think that you NEED gear in order to be a (proper) photographer. As far as lens choices are concerned, the 50 and 85 seem a bit too close. Perhaps get something wider (like a 35) and keep the 85. You can also go long with a 50 and maybe a 100 or 135.

Can you tell me how having two cameras leads to spray and pray? You've experienced this or just making it up?

I just shot an event yesterday with 5D3/85 only.

Took a whole bag of stuff but didn't use anything. Turned out great. Was a birthday party. Moved around a bit but nothing crazy.