Indoor parties/events

[omens]

I'm struggling to take interesting photos of people at small parties or events. As an example, I went to a cousin's wedding anniversary party recently. They had a marquee in the backyard and chandelier-style incandescent lighting.

I used a hotshoe flash which helped improve the dim lighting but other than that, I was stuck for any creative ideas.

Things I took photos of:

- the couple together - these could be done stylishly and was fine. The girl is a natural model
- the couple cutting a cake - this seemed rather boring.
- families feeding the couple some cake with a spoon. Again just boring.
- people having a general chat - they suddenly became aware of me and my camera, especially with the flash on. This meant they became really self-conscious.

Any thoughts, suggestions or sources of inspiration I could use would be welcome.

 

[Phil V]

When you're taking candids, it's about blending in. It's a skill, people will become self conscious if they notice you, but if you drop the camera and smile at them and then carry on pointing about randomly they normally just carry on what they were doing. It's amazing how people get used to a photographer hanging around.

You'll shoot yourself in the foot if you appear apologetic or in any way self conscious. Like with all types of portraiture, confidence breeds confidence. From the way you've written the post, I'd guess this is your biggest problem. Most wedding / event photographers are naturally gregarious, and have no problem entertaing a gathering if necessary, but that level of confidence also helps us to just blend in.

You have to look and listen out for interesting stuff happening, it also helps if you can look out for the lighting rather than relying on the flash (not always practical). And it helps if you have an idea of the story you'd like to tell before you start shooting. Just like writing, you need a beginning a middle and an end, with some key episodes helping the narrative along.

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Good advice from Phil
I don't like using flash in social situations. People stop what they are doing and look at the camera; I prefer shooting until I'm spotted and give a wave in acknowledgement that I've been spotted and either take some with them looking at my camera, or I move on.

For me the most important thing is some sort of interaction going on in the image, either between them and the camera or between each other. Sometimes the subject is talking to someone off camera, but their expressions and body language usually still make the shot interesting as they convey so much to people who know them and leave questions about what was happing with people who don't.

As an example, here's a party I shot recently.
I was waving my big camera around; the only non-phone camera at the party.
The 135mm f2 is a fairly intimidating lens to be put in front of, but nobody was upset/annoyed about having their photo taken, and they all eagerly anticipated the results!
As Phil says, it all about confidence.
http://www.wild-landscapes.co.uk/Blog/2013-06-15-Priddy-Grease/30143027_vpzMhP

I know my kit is better at non-flash than your G12, but my social shooting weapon of choice is usually my X10; which is comparable to the G12.
Not much changes in how I use it compared to the big camera; high ISO is more than acceptable if they are only for Facebook.
The big difference is in the cinematic quality that the shallow depth of field results from the big aperture lenses on the big camera - which I love.
However - in a restaurant at a meal, the big camera is a real pain to carry around and keep out everyones way when sat shoulder to shoulder at the table - the pocket camera is the only sensible choice.
Here's an set taken with my old LX3. The high ISO performance on that camera is shockingly bad compared to your G12, and the pub images look terrible from a technical point of view; but they captured the moment - which is all that really matters.
http://www.wild-landscapes.co.uk/Blog/2011-11-05-Priddy-Bonfire/19935004_pH2HTz
My X10 social photography rarely gets near my website

Edited to add....
An easy way to gain confidence is to keep taking your camera to parties and carry on using it.
Worked wonders for me

 

[omens]

Thanks for the feedback.

if you drop the camera and smile at them and then carry on pointing about randomly

Hmmm...I need to make more use of that foldable screen on the G12. I found just holding the camera up to my face made everyone aware of me.

Most wedding / event photographers are naturally gregarious, and have no problem entertaing a gathering if necessary

Agree - I'm normally a timid person.

I don't like using flash in social situations. People stop what they are doing and look at the camera;

Yup - found they were aware of me.

For me the most important thing is some sort of interaction going on in the image, either between them and the camera or between each other.

I really wanted to get photos of people being in intimate conversation, enjoying themselves - things that people wouldn't normally want pictured.

the only non-phone camera at the party.

This seemed to annoy me for some reason - I was the only one with a camera and everyone had their smartphones.

http://www.wild-landscapes.co.uk/Blog/2013-06-15-Priddy-Grease/30143027_vpzMhP

20130615-234539-I39A0685.jpg is the kind of images I was after - interactions between people, having a laugh.

http://www.wild-landscapes.co.uk/Blog/2011-11-05-Priddy-Bonfire/19935004_pH2HTz

Again - there are a couple of images where you have images of interactions between people.

Will go away and practise.

 

[Little John]

The way I learnt to be better in the party situation is to take the camera to any type of party or event you go to, get used to taking those types of photo being in a crowd etc what to watch out for you will pretty much learn to know most parties are all the same.

I enjoy walking the room with a long lens stand back and shoot, but equally use a wide lens and get in close, watch for the backgrounds shoot with them with their back to the dj their lights can make the photo interesting rather than flowery wallpaper and the emergency exit sign.

Flash can be used especially when light is pants but try to ballance it not use it as the primary only source of light, bounce it or use card to send light forward rarely direct flash. Also sititng on the corner of the dance floor and shoot the kids playing with the baloons parents seem to love those photos.