night club photos (NWS) (2)

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.

Haha, I go for a dance! But yeah, I get pretty much everywhere. I reckon if anyone saw me they'd probably just think I was on a night out... The only problem is, as soon as anyone spots the camera, they turn and pose instantly. If anyone sees me point the camera their way (even for crowd shots) they'll straight away pose or cover their face, making candids a bloody nightmare. I really do much prefer that style of photography for night life too - but then again I don't think it's what the promoters want.

You ever notice though, when they are with their friends, and one of their friends takes out the camera, THEN it's ok to do stupid faces, or something random?

For me, when I work, I usually do a few laps around, and introduce myself to everyone. Half the time, I wont even ask for a picture, but just go around being friendly. People to get to know you, think you as more of a friend, and let their guard down.

Then that's when I come in all bat**** crazy with the camera and flash.

I may be out of place here since I have not posted in so long but...

The last club that I had a gig at wanted the same ol' "two people standing next to each other posing" all of the time. They basically wanted to show who went there, who was there with who etc. Candids were hard to come by. People just saw the camera and posed. The promoters did not want any B&W shots, no light trails, none of that stuff. Just people standing next to each other. That becomes tiring after a while. Looking back, I really did not have much control over what I shot. It was all about the promoters and what they wanted. I used to wait later in the night till people got really drunk for candid stuff. Then they would not care about posing perfectly and things like that.

It depends on the party and the people at that time. You are not going to get ALL candids all of the time. I sometimes wish I did! Plus, the "posed" shots have some advantages, like maybe a girl just wants a nice shot of her with a friend, something that she may not have in her collection of photos.

I would jump in the middle of the dancefloor too. That's another way that I got candids.

SleazyMermaid wrote in post #13807090
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).

I remember you taking a photo of me and my mates in Faversham (laloop 1st birthday iirc?) and asking us to dance before you would take the shot!

SleazyMermaid wrote in post #13807090
(but if the customers at those nights see a camera they stop having fun and start posing so good candids can be difficult)

This, totally. I spend a ton of time trying to get candids but it's so bloody difficult to catch people off guard - and when the clubs are so packed it isn't as simple as just zooming in from a distance, there's about 12 heads between you and the person you want to photograph.

Here's a few from last night anyway:

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

The beauty of nightlife is that it isnt all the same all the time. Some parties are wild and crazy, some are not, thats why they have so many different venues catering to so many different people and their choices of music/atmosphere/etc etc.. I love looking at

Brandsanity wrote in post #13809378

Anyone else only really enjoy taking photos of girls?!

haha i think its safe to say that yes we do... btw photos have been improving man, keep it up!

I really hate having people to pose for a picture. Just not what I intend to capture on a party, and luckily for me, my promoters don't make take those kind of shots. I really like the candid stuff, close-ups of DJ's, equipment, lights, the setup, the atmosphere. One really good example I think is Psychodweep, if you're reading this man, big thumbs up!

srika wrote in post #13806925
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.

I second this, It's all about the party! Getting a sick candid is always the highlight of my night. If you want crazy shots don't go to places where their main attraction is bottle service. Focus on more artist oriented shows people party way harder if there favorite band or dj is playing. I get so many people asking not to take photos or to delete photos from those sort lounge type of events, usually from guys cheating on there girlfriends. It's not a candid type of environment, most people are more comfortable going with the traditional type of posed shots (although those make me want to vomit, notice every bottle girl does the exact same pose, its a universal rule and its mind blowing). BTW Chris and I are the original house photographers for Porn N Chicken, it's crazy to have watched it grow from a tiny little bar party into a national tour of parties, if you go WAY back you can see our old weekly pics from back in the day; and it is one hell of a monster, beer, chicken and boobies I cant think of a better combination.

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.

That's mainly where I'm at

very nice!

Shea.Flynn wrote in post #13817617
I second this, It's all about the party! Getting a sick candid is always the highlight of my night. If you want crazy shots don't go to places where their main attraction is bottle service. Focus on more artist oriented shows people party way harder if there favorite band or dj is playing. I get so many people asking not to take photos or to delete photos from those sort lounge type of events, usually from guys cheating on there girlfriends. It's not a candid type of environment, most people are more comfortable going with the traditional type of posed shots (although those make me want to vomit, notice every bottle girl does the exact same pose, its a universal rule and its mind blowing). BTW Chris and I are the original house photographers for Porn N Chicken, it's crazy to have watched it grow from a tiny little bar party into a national tour of parties, if you go WAY back you can see our old weekly pics from back in the day; and it is one hell of a monster, beer, chicken and boobies I cant think of a better combination.

hey, do you go there every Monday? Maybe I can tag along one day.

naw we haven't gone in a while now, we should though! They are VERY particular about cameras coming in though.

Shea.Flynn wrote in post #13820897
naw we haven't gone in a while now, we should though! They are VERY particular about cameras coming in though.

ok. that's probably why I forgot you used to shoot there. let's go sometime, and we will get in somehow. you can say I'm your apprentice.

I'm down I'll talk to chris, lets do it!

srika wrote in post #13807042
nice. btw its called porn n' chicken because they play porn on the tv's and have free chicken. lol

shoot.. sounds like my kind of party!