Capturing Moments and Breaking Boundaries: The Journey of Event Photography
Event Photography was my ‘ground-zero’. It was with this reportage style of photography that I started to assist my grandfather’s work and had my first butterfly-belly-nervous-sensation ever. My basics involved shooting with 35mm negative film, and balance everything against the odds of low-lighting, surrounding noise, quick reactions, approaching people with assertiveness and get their attention/authorisation… it was hectic (still is). Not everything turned out great, but these exercises were enough to earn my grandfather’s observations on my performance, and I was hooked.
Event Photography fills the ‘gap’ on that learning curve to when and how to deal with people. Some photographers might find it more challenging than others, but each event has its own characteristics, and it is always created by people for people, period. From the saddest to the most enjoyable moments, you may know your camera and feel comfortable with your production and post-production skills, but people react on their own. Sometimes spontaneously, sometimes emotionally. It is impossible to get into anyone’s mind, but it is possible to predict and anticipate their reactions to your photographic approach. Well, on some occasions, there is no need to approach anyone at all. You can just get caught in a vortex of people constantly calling you for photographs. But you have the chance to read people and their reactions, and here is where you learn to break and push boundaries. It’s all about lighting (gear), positioning (understanding the event), and capturing the critical moments (knowing the place and finding those crucial perspectives).
Duarte Lima Villas Photography 