Hello everyone! Back in Mid-August I was hired to photograph the India Day event at the Augusta Maxwell Theater. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am not only a professional photographer but also an IT professional. I have found these fields both share a central truth; the learning never ends! Just when you think you've mastered one area of photography, you quickly realize there is another to learn. I think that is what keeps me going. I am not sure I could do something that couldn't provide change or growth.
Capturing the performances for India Day would be an event the like of which I had never done before. I couldn't use flash and the auditorium lighting would be dim and constantly shifting for the various performances. I planned for this event in detail: ...what will my camera settings look like the day of the event? ...how will I know which parts of the performances will be the most relevant? ...how many photos do I need to capture? Much like shooting a wedding, it's great to have a plan but nothing can fully prepare you for a new experience. You simply have to be focused and locked in; like a musical instrument, you must know your camera inside out.
I made many mistakes and learned a great deal with this event. One takeaway from India Day that will help me going forward is shot selection. I took way too many photos (almost a movie of each performance!) and the client only needed a few of each set. Both dance and sports photography require anticipating key moments and working for clarity in difficult shooting conditions. Clearly communicating with clients about what outcomes they desire from the photography will provide the ability to meet their expectations. Tying back into what I love about photography, focusing on improvement keeps what I capture fresh and responsive. The client was extremely happy with my photos and will be hiring me again to capture another event in the coming weeks.
Without further ado, here are some of the photos....
