Capturing emotion at theme parks, fairs and events

This was a popular thread on the old Hellophoto forum, and we’ve rewritten it from scratch as a guide.

Fairs, A&P shows, theme parks and school galas are full of big feelings: the scream at the top of a ride, the wobbly lip when the candyfloss hits the ground. They’re great places to practise people photography, and tricky ones, because everything moves fast. Here’s how we go about it, considerately.

Settings for fast-moving moments

Shutter speed first

Emotion lives in split seconds, so blur is the enemy. As a rough starting point:

1/500 for people walking, laughing and reacting.
1/1000 or faster for people on rides, kids running, or anything spinning.
Slower speeds (1/30 to 1/60) only when you want deliberate motion blur, like a panning shot of a carousel with a sharp rider.

Shutter priority mode with auto ISO is a sensible way to work. Set the speed you need, cap ISO at something your camera handles cleanly, and let the camera sort the rest.

Focus

Use continuous autofocus and a focus area that tracks moving subjects. If your camera has face or eye detection, it’s a real help at events. For predictable moments, like a ride coming round the same bend, pre-focus on the spot and wait.

Burst mode

Shoot short bursts rather than holding the button down forever. Three to five frames through a peak moment usually catches one where the eyes and expression line up. You’ll cull hard later, and that’s fine.

Anticipating the moment

The best event photos come from watching, not reacting. A few habits help:

Find the payoff spot. On rides, it’s usually the drop, the splash or the corner where riders are thrown sideways. At games stalls, it’s the moment the prize is handed over.
Watch the watchers. Parents waiting at the exit of a ride, friends cheering from the rail, grandparents holding the bags. Their faces are often better than the riders'.
Wait for the second reaction. The first scream is good. The laugh straight after, when they realise they survived, is often better.

Working with the light

Fairs often run late into the afternoon and evening. Midday sun gives harsh shadows under hats, so look for open shade or put the sun behind your subject and expose for the face. As dusk arrives, the ride lights come on, and the mix of fading sky and coloured bulbs can be magic. Raise ISO rather than dropping your shutter speed too far, and shoot RAW so you can sort out the mixed colours afterwards.

Lenses

A 70 to 200mm zoom (or equivalent) catches candid moments without being in anyone’s face. A fast 35 or 50mm prime suits close shots of friends and family.

People, privacy and public places

In New Zealand you can generally take photos in public places, and events are busy public spaces. But “allowed” and “welcome” aren’t the same thing, and good event photographers think about both.

Be visible and friendly. A smile and a nod go a long way. If someone signals they don’t want to be photographed, respect that and delete the shot if asked.
Check the event’s own rules. Theme parks, venues and private events can set conditions on photography, especially commercial photography. Look for signs or ask at the gate.
Think about publishing. Taking a photo is one thing; posting a close-up of a stranger in a vulnerable or embarrassing moment is another. Ask yourself how you’d feel if it were you.
Know where the law sits. The Privacy Act covers how organisations and businesses handle personal information, including photos. It generally doesn’t apply to individuals acting in their own personal or domestic affairs, unless what they do would be highly offensive to a reasonable person. The Privacy Commissioner’s guide to your privacy rights is a good plain-language starting point. If you’re shooting for a business, a club or a client, you’re more likely to be covered by the Act.

Photographing children

Kids at fairs are pure emotion, which is exactly why extra care matters.

Ask a parent or caregiver before photographing a child you don’t know, and tell them what the photo is for. Most will say yes if you’re open about it, and many will be glad of a nice shot of their kid.
Offer to send the photo to the parent rather than posting it yourself.
Avoid identifying details if you do share anything publicly, like school uniforms, name tags or anything that shows where they live.
Don’t photograph children in states of undress, at swimming areas or splash pads, or in any situation a parent would be uncomfortable with.
Take it seriously if asked to stop, and don’t argue.

The Privacy Commissioner has also published guidance on photographing and filming children and young people, which treats consent and openness as best practice. It’s aimed mostly at organisations like schools and clubs, but the principles are a good guide for anyone.

For a refresher on how shutter speed fits with aperture and ISO, see our exposure triangle guide, or browse more people photography.