night club photos (NWS) (2)

Not orange at all. Some of the people are a little red, but that's normal in a club for pale northerners when they drink!

For shots such as this:

For those specific people, yes.

fun at Spybar past Friday...

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brandsanity: You mean to forget about Ms.fatarm? I would have tilted the camera at an angle to cut off the unwanted parts.

I know I am going to be stepping on a few toes with this post, but I will ask anyway.

Is it just me, or do a lot of the photos posted here look typical and boring? It's repeatedly the classic shot, of the two/three person standing there, smiling, holding a drink. Is it just me, or does this not depict the nightlife scene at all?

When I think nightlife photos, and when I work, I try to capture moments. With emotion, or something going on. I rarely see that here. One of my strong influences, is Nikola Tamindzic, who used to run ambrel.net. To me, this was the gold standard of how nightclub photos should look.

I just want to know from other photogs on here, are you happy with the work that you do, and do you think it's an accurate portrayal of the night. And if not, how would you do it differently.

fminus wrote in post #13806116
I know I am going to be stepping on a few toes with this post, but I will ask anyway.

Is it just me, or do a lot of the photos posted here look typical and boring? It's repeatedly the classic shot, of the two/three person standing there, smiling, holding a drink. Is it just me, or does this not depict the nightlife scene at all?

When I think nightlife photos, and when I work, I try to capture moments. With emotion, or something going on. I rarely see that here. One of my strong influences, is Nikola Tamindzic, who used to run ambrel.net. To me, this was the gold standard of how nightclub photos should look.

I just want to know from other photogs on here, are you happy with the work that you do, and do you think it's an accurate portrayal of the night. And if not, how would you do it differently.

I cant speak for others but i am happy with my work, but then again i dont just shoot the typical 'standing posed shot' when i work in a club i do of course take shots of people standing with their drinks and friends but i also try sneaking about and grabbing those random candid one moment only shots (Prime lenses really help for this as i find focusing is faster).

At the moment i am the busiest nightlife photographer in my city and up untill a month or so ago was the only one that did those candid random type shots, I now find that a couple other photogs in my area are trying to get candid shots but most of them are staying within their comfort zone and just going for the usual shots.

But saying all of that, for most of us nightlife photography is a business and therefore must meet the requests of clients. I have pretty much free reign over all of my clubs/nights except over the style, most of my nights want a fast shutter and B&W classy feel to photos where as only 2 clients want a slow shutter colourfull type look. So i am rather lucky that my clients are not too picky but i do know that some photogs have the problem that their clients tell them exactly what type of photos to take so for some of us getting that candid / fun / one chance only / different shot isnt really feasible.

just me 2p worth lol

fminus:

I am happy with my work.

There are nights when you get 'those' type of 'epic' club shots and there are nights when you don't. It has a lot to do with the venue, the lighting, the party, and the people. You're not going to get those kind of shots every night, unless you find and seek the kind of crazy party where you would get those shots. Furthermore, you may take 200 photos in a night, do you really think all 200 'should' be 'those' kind of shots? A big part of club work is covering the event in general. And for many this means 'normal' posed shots; these are generally the most flattering images of people. Catching a hot chick doing an upside-down shot on the counter-top with streamers and strobes going off in the background, while an amazing shot, is not the most flattering for the chick lol. Whereas, a classic style posed photo of her smiling with a drink in hand and a friend at her side is something she can show people, maybe use as a profile photo, etc. These are things I am concerned with.

Also, it really depends on the kind of parties you go to and how late you stay. Chris and Shea know this for sure - if you go to some of the hipster parties you'll see much crazier stuff than if you go to say a low-key night at Spybar. Lots of people DON'T WANT to be captured in certain actions.

If I wanted to seek out and get crazy party shots, I'd probably go to an event called Porn n' Chicken that happens every Monday. I've never been to one, I just haven't felt like it.

Srika: Porn n' Chicken! Ah I wish I lived in a city that had events called that. We have a SpyBar out here as well! Though, no photography is usually allowed in there, as it's a more "posh" place.

nice. btw its called porn n' chicken because they play porn on the tv's and have free chicken. lol

Most of the people I've worked for in the past want the posed shots, now it varies depending on the night and who I'm working for. Some nights I only do action shots and force people to dance/do something interesting if they want a photo, other nights its mostly boring posed stuff with the odd candid thrown in when I can get one (but if the customers at those nights see a camera they stop having fun and start posing so good candids can be difficult).

Does anyone else jump on the center of the dance floor to get candid shots? Or is that just me?

I have worked many clubs, and seen other photographers working as well. But nobody really jumps on the dance floor. They usually linger on the sides.

fminus wrote in post #13807123
Does anyone else jump on the center of the dance floor to get candid shots? Or is that just me?

I have worked many clubs, and seen other photographers working as well. But nobody really jumps on the dance floor. They usually linger on the sides.

used to, when I was doing it regularly ('05-'09). I've done tons of candid shots.

I like shooting candids because I believe it really captures the fun atmosphere. I'll do the posed shots as well because, well, a lot of times when you have a huge camera they see it and immediately stop to pose for you. And of course it's always up to the venue. Luckily I have reign over what i shoot.