orienteering photography
DESCRIPTION
Tips for taking more exciting orienteering photographsTRANSCRIPT
SHOOTING ORIENTEERINGTips for taking interesting photos
2012 Orienteering Canada ConferenceAdrian Zissos
Preamble• This is a 10-minute long presentation given at the 2012
Orienteering Canada conference• The aim is to encourage people to take more “exciting”
photos of orienteering, photos that will help promote the sport and encourage more participation, sponsorship, and media coverage
• It is inspired by a much more thorough slide presentation prepared by Martin Flynn. I highly recommend it – you can watch it here.
Avoid this…“Runner in a field”Boring snap shotWhat is this shot about?
Runner too small,Cluttered background,Closed eyes, etc
Main subjectWhat is this photo about?Power / determination / emotionViewer will react
Fill the frame People look at eyes
Isolate subject Robbie shot against dark forest
Isolate subject Get low!Anika placed against clear blue sky
Isolate subject Simone placed in frame with solid green background
Isolate subject Place the runner in the gap
Isolate the subject Shallow depth of field
Secondary subject Relationships are interesting
Secondary subject
Avoid this“Runner about to punch”Poor expression - alwaysToo static / dull
Show motionChange of directionWhere she came from & where she’s going to
Get excited Body language conveys sense of energy Anticipate the key moments
Make a plan
AZ at WOC Long Final• Arena shot• Louise at spectator control• Louise in finish chute• Candid Louise• Sam when I can (nice she starts close to Louise)• Simone / Minna / others in finish chute & candid• Winner• Crowd• Canadian fans• Details
Environment Show off the interesting places that we run
Environment Sometimes the runner is secondary
Avoid this…“O flag in a cool spot”Needs some action & human interestPerhaps get a ‘model’ for such a cool spot
Use a model
Sunlight sucksHard shadowsTry flashPray for cloudy day
Forest light sucksBright spots / dark spotsCamera’s dynamic range can’t copePray subject runs into a bright spot
Pandark forest long exposureTry 1/10th secondPractice a lot
Blur dark forest, slow shutter, still camera
Avoid this…Subject too smallSubject not isolatedSpectators not looking at subject
Strange running positionTerrible clothesOver exposed
Better… Clear subject coming at the camera(too bad about the focus)
Get high Unique view from above
Get low Get low and shoot upwardsSure fire “trick”
Shoot kids Always interestingShows a unique aspect of orienteering
Be anonymous Who the subject is isn’t importantViewers imagine themselves
Be candid Greatness, elegance, grace, humility
Show emotion
Show emotion
Show emotion
Attention to details
Jazz it up…
Go black & white
Be effective
And vary orientation
Shoot through the trees
PanSense of motion & excitement
Get the crowd involved…
Stay focused
Huh?
More? Google “orienteering photography martin flynn”* More technical information about cameras
The Finish Thanks for listening