How to Photograph a Graduation Ceremony
Graduations represent an important rite of passage for each individual who goes through one. Creating a physical reminder of the day in the form of a photograph can help the individual remember the day and the accomplishment. Graduation ceremonies can be easy to photograph if you do a few simple things.
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Instructions
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Prepare your camera for the event. Make sure that you have film or your batteries are charged for digital cameras. Double check to be sure that you have all the equipment you need and that everything is working. The ceremony only happens once and you don't want to miss it.
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Get as close to the stage as you can. This is particularly important for indoor ceremonies where your flash generally only covers about 10 feet. It helps if you are either sitting close to the stage or sitting on an aisle where you can quickly get up and move closer. If possible, use a telephoto lens which allows you to stay farther back, but still get a great photo.
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Take some pictures from a low point of view to enhance the noble look of the graduate. A low point of view can make the graduate appear taller and more regal in his cap and gown. It's often easy to forget to take photographs from different angles, but you'll get better pictures overall if you vary the point of view.
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Locate a simple background or blur the background with a smaller aperture setting. Graduation ceremonies often have a lot going on and this can make the background look busy, detracting from the graduate. Focus your picture on the individual and try to minimize distracting backgrounds.
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Tell a story with your photographs about the graduation day, including the range of emotions that the graduate may be feeling. Take photos of the graduate trying on her cap and gown at home, talking with friends and hugging family members.
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Keep sunlight to your side when you're taking photos outside. Light sources directly behind you or the person you are photographing can create squinty eyes, or you'll lose the person in the light.
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