Shooting the dead...
Jul 3, 2019 03:15:57 #
Dear fellow uhhs,
I am planning to do some photo shooting in Mexico during the coming Day of the Dead. I would like some input on what the optimal equipment would be for the purpose according to your experience, for my (apsc) Canon EOS 60D. I have an EF S 18-55 f2.8 and an ef 70-200 f2.8. Do I use or avoid flash, do you have the perfect way to carry everything? Should I try to "travel light"? I would also appreciate hints regarding behaviour: How would you behave when shooting: ask everyone for permission, shoot first then ask, or the other way around, do you have a standard "shtick", a business card, other ideas?
Cheers to the forum,
P.
I am planning to do some photo shooting in Mexico during the coming Day of the Dead. I would like some input on what the optimal equipment would be for the purpose according to your experience, for my (apsc) Canon EOS 60D. I have an EF S 18-55 f2.8 and an ef 70-200 f2.8. Do I use or avoid flash, do you have the perfect way to carry everything? Should I try to "travel light"? I would also appreciate hints regarding behaviour: How would you behave when shooting: ask everyone for permission, shoot first then ask, or the other way around, do you have a standard "shtick", a business card, other ideas?
Cheers to the forum,
P.
Jul 3, 2019 04:23:33 #
Be Safe, expensive DSLR makes you a target and when your bag is stolen and you wake with the lump on your head you will be indeed traveling light. safer with one of the 1" Superzooms [stay away from lumpy Bridge Cameras get a shirt pocket fixed lens camera] super zoom, Sony, Panasonic, Canon.
Walmart has a full Panasonic Kit TZ100 for $550, I have had mine for 6 months, lots of tricks such as 4K video and extraction of stills. For $20 there is a will take screw filter attachment.
The review of the TZ100 is at the end of the list of favorite superzooms.
https://www.shutterbug.com/content/these-are-our-7-favorite-superzoom-cameras-getting-close-action
Remember that a flash diminishes with sq of distance so little use at much distance. Jackup the ISO and deal with the noise later. The new Ai programs are supposed to work well.
Walmart has a full Panasonic Kit TZ100 for $550, I have had mine for 6 months, lots of tricks such as 4K video and extraction of stills. For $20 there is a will take screw filter attachment.
The review of the TZ100 is at the end of the list of favorite superzooms.
https://www.shutterbug.com/content/these-are-our-7-favorite-superzoom-cameras-getting-close-action
Remember that a flash diminishes with sq of distance so little use at much distance. Jackup the ISO and deal with the noise later. The new Ai programs are supposed to work well.
Jul 3, 2019 06:24:02 #
Many folks are proud of their paint job, and happy to have you take their photo. Ask first for individual portraits using the zoom lens and the flash with a diffuser of some type. Lots of people will be taking photos during the more crowded festivities, at concerts, etc., so permission is not really needed. In the case of crowded festivities, there will be lots of kids also - I didn't ask permission in that situation, but when I wanted to get a nice close-in shot of children, like when they were sitting still getting their face painted, I would ask the parent(s) if it was OK. If you don't speak Spanish, the universal sign language works also - point to the camera and the child with a questioning look - everyone understands that. This is a festival wehere everyone is on display - I did not encounter anyone who minded being photographed.
Jul 3, 2019 07:17:33 #
Bigmike1
Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
I went into Mexico once in the 90's while doing a mission at Fort Huarache. I never felt like I was in a strange land as I did the first time I was in Germany. The people were friendly. I wasn't carrying an expensive camera and when we parked I disabled my truck. Luckily it was still there when we returned. Things have changed a whole lot since then. Today I would not even go into the country. The drug cartels make it very dangerous and the cops are not your friends. Personally, I would just stay the hell out.
Jul 3, 2019 08:09:31 #
Pjau wrote:
Dear fellow uhhs, br I am planning to do some pho... (show quote)
I've shot Dia de los Muertos several times. If possible avoid flash because the makeup they wear reflects badly and makes the face look overexposed and it brings unwanted attention. I always ask when taking someone's photo or at least make it known that I want to take their photo. On your 60D, the 18-55 should be enough, you want to be fairly close to your subject and you may have large groups to photograph. I do hand out business cards but usually only if they ask. Good luck and have fun!
Jul 4, 2019 07:04:43 #
Bigmike1 wrote:
I went into Mexico once in the 90's while doing a ... (show quote)
I would add certain parts on NYC, Philadelphia, Chicago a lot of LA. There are of course many more cities here in the US.
Jul 4, 2019 07:54:14 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Pjau wrote:
Dear fellow uhhs, br I am planning to do some pho... (show quote)
Seriously? It sounds like a 10 year old's questions. If it were me I would take the wide, leave on the camera and only change if necessary. Sounds like you are a timid individual, so I changed my mind, put the 70-200 on your camera so you can have a little separations from folks.
Go and take ques from others, see how they are taking there shots, learn to shoot on the move and go with the flow. If no one else is taking pictures, then put yours away. If folks are shooting with phones, pull yours out, put your camera away, and snap with your phone.
Again, you sound very unsure, I would take a low profile approach to this shoot until you find out the lay of the land.
When I shot for the newspapers, I was very aggressive, only shot with a 24 and 200 prime on my Nikon F.
The Bonus here is you never have to ask the dead for permission to shoot.
Jul 4, 2019 08:30:32 #
Very sad and very true. San Francisco is another crime ridden city driven by the accepted and pampered drug culture.
We've traveled to Mexico every year for over 20-years. I believe in not making yourself look like a target or victim in the first place. We wear no jewelry, dress casual, and flash no cash. Pay for items and meals with local money and always try to travel in a group of four or more.
If you travel around, go with an accredited guide. You really will be happier not having to drive there and your guide will tell you things of interest along the way.
Use the same mindset as at home. If it doesn't look or feel safe, stay away.
We've traveled to Mexico every year for over 20-years. I believe in not making yourself look like a target or victim in the first place. We wear no jewelry, dress casual, and flash no cash. Pay for items and meals with local money and always try to travel in a group of four or more.
If you travel around, go with an accredited guide. You really will be happier not having to drive there and your guide will tell you things of interest along the way.
Use the same mindset as at home. If it doesn't look or feel safe, stay away.
Jul 4, 2019 10:23:15 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
I would consider a camera strap with a cable. B&H about $30.00, If you carry a beg get 2 straps.
Jul 4, 2019 10:54:06 #
the 18-55 is all I would take, I might use the camera flash set on -1 as a fill flash if it was real dark
Jul 4, 2019 11:25:12 #
I used to live in Santa Ana, California which has the biggest, baddest Dia de Los Muertos celebration, with the downtown being closed and over a hundred elaborate alters set up. Add music, food, sales of Latino oriented t shirts, great weather and Chicas, and it is not to be missed. Going down, from Seattle, this year.
To answer your question, I would recommend a mid-range zoom and a flash for fill. When shooting people, I usually ask for their permission.
Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) is being gradually appropriated here in the US into Halloween. Not sure if I like that but good to get that attention to a Mexican cultural event. Like the movie "Coco".
To answer your question, I would recommend a mid-range zoom and a flash for fill. When shooting people, I usually ask for their permission.
Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) is being gradually appropriated here in the US into Halloween. Not sure if I like that but good to get that attention to a Mexican cultural event. Like the movie "Coco".
Jul 4, 2019 13:03:21 #
If they are dead how can they give you permission. Sorry, just being a smart#*~. 😎
Jul 4, 2019 15:59:25 #
Antonio: I don't see how incorporating DotD celebrations into American Halloween is "appropriation" any more than eating at a Chinese, Lao, Ethiopian (etc) restaurant is. No one is "taking away" something from the other culture, in fact, just the opposite: they are expanding its appreciation.
Jul 4, 2019 16:06:58 #
As you may have figured from the article he linked, the TZ100 is known as the DMC-ZS100 here in America. I have one in addition to my DSLR for light travel and love it. I saw an add from Amazon for it in a kit for $498.
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS100-Digital-Battery-Charger/dp/B01DJL36UW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=CIW7Q881MC4O&keywords=dmc-zs100&qid=1562270741&s=gateway&sprefix=dmc-%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS100-Digital-Battery-Charger/dp/B01DJL36UW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=CIW7Q881MC4O&keywords=dmc-zs100&qid=1562270741&s=gateway&sprefix=dmc-%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-3
Jul 7, 2019 02:03:29 #
Pjau wrote:
Dear fellow uhhs, br I am planning to do some pho... (show quote)
If you use a flash during daylight, make sure you don't overfill. If you do, the subjects will look like they're in front of a painted studio background. If you find this happening, use flash compensation to reduce the fill light.
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