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A Church Event Photography Primer

2013 April 23
by canonfrank

Last week I asserted that, given the visual nature of our culture today and the ease of sharing photographs, I find an essential connection between church growth an sharing pictures church events in a timely manner. While not a determinative factor in itself, photgraphy is helpful in sharing the life of you congregation in a way that is engaging and inviting to others. Here are a five basic tips for photographers:

1) Know the key moments
and be ready for them
From laying on hands in the ordination liturgy and saying vows in a wedding to the priest going under water in a dunk tank at the Fall Festival, each event has some predictable moments when the photographer needs to be in position and ready. Communication between the priest about photographing liturgies (or the chair of any other event) and the photograher can make sure the photographer is in the right place at the right time. In the case of a liturgy, planning means taking into account beng positioned so as not to interfere with the sacredness of the worship.


2) Take establishing shots and details too
Most of the photos we receive for From the Field are in the middle range, with no wide shot to show the overall event and no detail to fill in the picture. Get a few pictures that take in the whole event from a few angles and then look for the details which will add depth and texture to the final photo album.

Note that in the photos above from our diocesan convention, Julius and Julia Ariail have an establishing shot of the overall church full for Evening Prayer and a close up of the processional cross with the choir and pipes of the pipe organ behind them that went with the other medium range pictures of the liturgy.

3) Mind the background
This one tip can not be emphasized enough. Always pay attention to the entire frame. While keeping the background simple helps most photos, this is not aays true with event pictures whe you want to share a sense of how it felt to be there. One common issue we see is a small group in the action, with a empty background at what is reported to be a large event. Seeing more people and action behind what you are photographing adds depth. This must be balanced with  paying attention to what is behind the subject of the photo so that a yawning acolyte doesn’t take away from an otherwise perfect picture.

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4) Take a mix of vertical and horizonal pictures
Many times, a great vertical image is trapped in the middle of a horizontal photo. While cropping in a photo program such as Photoshop can fix this, it is best to consider how to frame the photos as you take them. When in doubt, take the photo both as a horizontal picture and as a vertical one and decide whn you edit. While a horizontal photo could have shown the scene, the vertical picture of a grandfather and granddaughter at an Easter Egg Hunt pulls us in on their connection in a way that is inviting.

5) Edit thoughfully
An unedited album with hundreds of photos is almost as problematic as no pictures (but not quite). Cut out all but the best of a given picture unless it is a series. Look for a mix of overall, medium distance and close-up pictures. A tightly edited group of pictures where each photo is worth sharing will leave folks wanting to come back to see more then next time you post an album.

6) Post Promptly
I prefer not to go to sleep before the pictures are posted, but this will not surprise those who know me. For the less obsessive photographer, please get the photos online within 24 hours. We have all become accustomed to a 24-hour news cycle and interest wains quickly as time passes after the event.

Much more can be said, but these tips will get any photographer headed in the right direction. Using Facebook, a Google’s Picasa, or a Flickr album, your congregation can share photos quickly and at no cost. Why not share the joy of being a part of your church?

The Rev. Frank Logue
Canon to the Ordinary

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