Photographs and videos are great ways to preserve important moments in life. They provide a semblance of permanence to otherwise fleeting moments that pass us by in seconds. We can only remember so much, which is why photographs and videos exist. They capture the moment in time exactly so we can examine even the finer details no matter how much time has passed.
Events are memorable occasions, so it is no wonder that photographs and videos are a major aspect of organizing them. Organizing events is expensive. Even small events can cost a lot. Even more alarming, the costs seem to be increasing, as a survey of event organizers in the UK found that 83% of the participants reported that event costs had increased in 2023.
On average, a single-day event costs between £436 and £607 per attendee. These high costs further highlight the need to capture moments forever through photography.
The Latest Trends in Photography
To make sure that your event is captured in the best way possible, here are some trends in photography and videography that you need to know:
Telling a Story
Photos and videos should be more than just capturing the moments; they must tell a compelling story. It must be a narrative that doesn’t just invoke the memory but also the emotions to go along with it. Instead of being a series of stills or a carbon copy of the events in motion, the art of photography must add depth and meaning.
People who see the images or watch the videos must be able to experience the event themselves. A story connects people and invokes feelings and emotions. This is why it is so important that photos and videos build a narrative so people will care.
Keeping it Candid
In the past, when photography was seen as a luxury because not everyone could afford to get their picture taken. Early cameras contained film that had to be developed to print out the captured image. This made photography an expensive and tedious enterprise. With limited space on each film, every picture taken had to be meaningful and well-thought-out. This made photographs very formal. It is hard to find old photos that appear to be taken candidly.
Improvement in camera technology has meant that thousands of images could be captured on a single microchip. You can select a few that you want to get a print of, allowing you to make mistakes and pose as you wish.
Candid photographs capture the essence of the event. Spontaneous poses and random moments best convey the true mood of an event. Looking back at the photos and videos of the event you can become immersed into the spirit of the event.
Many now
hire selfie booths and props so attendees can enjoy getting candid shots. Sometimes, spontaneous photographs make for the best pictures as they capture the emotions and images. There are formal occasions where candid photography is inappropriate, for example, in a professional setting. However, most events can benefit from including candid shots.
Combining Different Techniques
There are so many
different techniques in photography and videography. You can achieve some brilliant pictures by altering the image orientation, portrait versus landscape, framing, contrast, depth of field, and shadows. Combining or varying techniques can help produce a unique set of pictures.
You can get pictures of the same event that look quite different, adding a layer of depth to the photos. The image's tone can dictate the technique used, elevating the captured image to a whole new level. The same goes for videos, where different editing techniques can give each scene and frame character and depth.
Use of AI
Speaking of editing, the trend towards using AI tools to edit and retouch is gaining momentum.
Artificial intelligence seems to be the focus of technological development in the coming few years. AI applications in nearly every industry and aspect of life are already a reality.
AI tools help tremendously as they combine the processing of thousands upon thousands of human brains at lightning-fast speed. With a few simple prompts, you can get expertly edited photos. You can feed in what needs to be retouched, and any other instructions and the AI will produce accurately edited images in record time.
Aside from editing, AI is also being incorporated into the cameras themselves so that computers can take images. Again, prompts can be given to capture images and video as required.
Different Types of Cameras
Variations in the types of
cameras are also quite trendy. Cameras mounted atop drones and 360⁰ cameras are becoming commonplace. These give a unique look to the images and videos as they capture the scene in a previously impossible way.
With drones, you can get a shot from above and get a true bird’s-eye view of the event. Additionally, with 360⁰ cameras, you can produce immersive experiences that transport the viewers. These aid with the storytelling aspect of photography.
Broadcasting in Real-time
Not only can videos and photos be used to save moments, but they can also now be used to project an event in real time. During COVID-19, when people had to avoid gatherings and follow strict social distancing guidelines, many events took place online. Weddings, engagements, graduations, and business conferences were all live-streamed so that the event could reach as many people as possible.
The trend has continued due to the efficiency and cost savings it provides. It is convenient to get as many attendees as possible to an event while keeping costs down. Modern technology has made this possible.
The Art of Photography
Photography and videography are not just professions; they are art forms. This is why there is so much experimentation with new techniques and technologies. The idea is to keep on perfecting and improving the images captured.
Event photography is no different. Trends come and go, and the purpose of capturing the event may differ, but it has always been an art. The images captured always have a personalized touch.
