How do you stand out among the rest of the camera-toting humanity come festival time and get those jaw-dropping shots without losing the events’ very essence? ERWIN LIM gives us the skinny on creating images worthy of submission to travel magazines.
ERWIN LIM:MAXIMUM EXPOSURE
A dentist by profession, Cebuano photographer Erwin Lim has been shooting Cebu’s Sinulog Festival for more than 15 years. In 2008, his photo topped the Sinulog Photo Contest. Every year since then, his photos have garnered winning entries for the said contest.
***
NO TRIPOD? NO PROBLEM!
Sinulog Festival, Cebu 2010
Nikon D3
Use a fish-eye lens to shoot a wide angle, like this shot. Because the photo would look artificial with a flash, bring a small LED light to serve as a small flash, if necessary. To adjust the brightness, just cover a bit with your fingers.
***
DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAGE PHOTOS (BUT MAKE THEM AS NATURAL AS POSSIBLE)
Clutching a Santo Niño, a little girl gazes upwards – leaving it up to God tolook after her.
Sinulog Festival, Cebu 2010
Nikon D3
It’s okay to stage photos, as Erwin did when he asked these three childen to light candles. Shoot it fast, though, before others start taking the same shot.
***
KNOW YOUR ‘SHOTS’.
Adding drama to the sea of people and lit candles is a line of handicaps who are given the chance to lead the procession march
Sinulog Festival, Cebu 2008 – Winning Entry
Nikon D300
Use a telephoto lens to exclude unwanted elements like street posts and cables from the frame. Switch between a telephoto and a wide-angle lens for more varied shots. Dark scenes are usually improved when taken with a camera with high ISO capability. In this shot, the ISO was set between 2,000 and 2,500. Avoid using flash to preserve the scenes’ natural look.
***
BE CREATIVE AND RESOURCEFUL.
Dancers in Sinulog, like this Tribo Basakanon dance contingent, may be all smiles but they’re running on pure adrenaline—and practically sleepless for several nights from rehearsals.
Sinulog Festival, Cebu 2009 – Winning Entry
Nikon D3
Bring a ladder if you must (just like what Erwin and fellow Cebu Images Camera Club members popularized) to get a good vantage point. Apart from avoiding other photographers getting into your frame, dance formations are also better seen from the top. Learning how to anticipate the moves in a dance routine also helps.
Next on the series: George Tapan’s Festival Photography Tips and Techniques
Wow Amazing…