I almost always have a camera with me. My Canon 50D is my favorite, but I don’t always carry it around. At times when I don’t have it, I rely on my point and shoot. One time when I prefer to use my point and shoot is when the crowd looks like this:
ISO 200 15mm 0ev f/5.6 1/125
This was the crowd at this afternoon’s Wiener Dog Races that are part of Mardi Gras here in St. Louis. It’s a popular event. It’s a friendly and vibrant crowd, but not the best place to take my bigger camera. Here’s a shot of what people came to see:
ISO 200 4mm 0ev f/2.7 1/500
Mostly the dogs seem to love this, some however, are not impressed:
ISO 200 22mm 0ev f/5.9 1/200
This little fellow seemed to be disdainful of the pleas and shouts of encouragement to run. This little shot of defiance was my favorite shot of the day, and something that my point and shoot can easily handle. In this case, I feel like I can get the photos I want for the story I want to tell with the smaller camera. I have left the photos as they were shot, no editing. For this particular post, I wanted the photos to convey the sense of a casual observer taking in an event.
How do you handle photography in a crowd like this? Do you take a smaller camera, or do you fearlessly wade in with your largest camera? Your thoughts are welcome below.
Cheers!
Photography Journal Blog 
I only have the choice of a big camera (or my phone but it doesnt really count) so I just wade in. Generally I find if you have a big expensive PROFESSIONAL looking camera, people take you seriously and get out of your way – I don’t barge to the front by any means but when people see you have a big camera they tend to make room for you which I certainly appreciate!
LikeLike
I guess I am just a bit concerned about sticking out! 🙂
LikeLike
I guess if theft was an issue maybe, but otherwise *shrug* I’m used to it
LikeLike
Actually, I guess I was worried about been jostled, and by that I mean my camera get jostled!
LikeLike
Oh yes that makes sense, but again if people see you have a big camera, in my experience they have tended not to crowd you. Tho in any big crowd you are likely to have contact.
LikeLike
I agree, people will try to avoid you. In this case though, there was so many people and also alcohol involved.
LikeLike
Ah alcohol is never a good combination!
LikeLike
Yeah, it’s a Mardi Gras event, so I knew that some of the crowd would be tipsy, so best to keep my camera away from them.
LikeLike
awwwwwwwe!!! cute AND Vibrant indeed!! 😀
LikeLike
Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
I always bring my smartphone by the way, less and less now do I bring a separate point and shoot as it has become somewhat cumbersome and my iPhone takes adequate photos 🙂
LikeLike
I do like my iPhone, but it hasn’t yet replaced my point and shoot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still handy to keep around eh 😀
LikeLike
I always prefer a smaller camera over a bigger one. When it comes to crowds, my point and shoot is what I use – but I still use it either in manual or AP mode. The times when I take out my mirrorless camera are when I’m going on trips where I know I won’t have to compete with crowds to move around.
LikeLike
With my point and shoot the mode really depends on what I am shoot. In this case, I just stuck with full auto, something I know you are “never” supposed to do 🙂
LikeLike
Some refer to auto mode as “stupid mode”. But of course, certain times call for it. When I’m asking someone to take a photo of me (and a friend), then I’d change the settings to auto mode straightaway.
LikeLike
I think you bring up a good point too, that the point and shoot is capable of a lot of different user modes, it is versatile that way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My husband emcees the wiener dogs races here in northern Colorado. What a hysterical event!
LikeLike
That sounds like a fun thing to emcee, the guy working yesterday’s event seemed to be enjoying himself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Vibrant – Diamonds Speak
I went to School at Washington University…Don’t remember January looking as mild as a January day here in Sonoma County! These photos must have been in fall or summer. You had a beautiful day indeed. Quite an event 🙂
LikeLike
Yup, it was yesterday, winter just isn’t what it use to be!
LikeLike
In 1955 there was a funeral of a 14 year old boy in Chicago that really generated national and some international attention. There was a photograph taken at the funeral that became one of the iconic images of the entire 20th century, that photograph touched so many, so deeply, it moved people. The photographer who took that shot nearly stood in the casket to get that image. Few remember the affront to the family, millions still remember that image to this day.
LikeLike
Hi Charlie, I just wanted to say that for some reason, I got a notification of your comment but the comment itself was in my spam bin here when I went to moderate it on the blog. I’m glad it didn’t get lost because I think you bring up an important point about photography. Some of the most important images required quite a bit of courage on the photographers part. Thank you for your thoughtful response.
LikeLike
Pingback: Vibrant Winter Sunset | Chris Breebaart Photography / What's (in) the picture?
I would use my phone camera in these situations. The dogs are great 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, maybe when I upgrade my cell phone I’ll be less likely to use my point and shoot.
LikeLike
Hey – I left comments for each photo so I won’t repeat it all – but do have to add one more tidbit to the wiener dog – cos in addition to the worn out line marking the path- I also love the handed – the colorful words – with “run” too – and it right above him! Truly a layered photo with so much – even the dangling variety of hands adds to the energy!
LikeLike
When he stopped right in front of “run” I almost laughed out loud!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see why! Gosh Amy – people stage this kinda stuff and here is fell your way – or
Paused your way
LikeLike
Exactly, it was perfect.
LikeLike
To be honest it depends what I have along. I always have at least my phone. Like you I’m a bit conscious of sticking out.
I love the defiant wiener dog. That made my day.
LikeLike
Yes, when I was looking back through my photos, it was by far my favorite.
LikeLike
What a fun and funny event! We watched pig races in the fall. I only own a point and shoot. 😊
LikeLike
I’ve never seen pig races, armadillos yes, wiener dogs yes, pigs no. I’ll have to keep a look out for that!
LikeLike
Hey, did you see the wiener dogs in the Superbowl commercial for Heinz?
LikeLike
No, I have yet to run into that one 🙂
LikeLike
Very vibrant – both in colour and entertainment value. Ambient light determines my camera choice. Sony in low light, Leica otherwise.
LikeLike
Interesting, I tend to think more about settings than my choice of camera when it comes to handling light.
LikeLike
My main camera is the Leica, but it struggles in conditions needing greater than iso 800. So I also have a sony that goes to about iso 12000 without difficulty, hence my way of thinking.
LikeLike
It makes compete sense.
LikeLike
Pingback: FREE button for your blog! | Ramisa the Authoress
wow 🙂 lot of people
LikeLike
Yes, it was quite a crowd.
LikeLike