Photo Tips: Covering a Meeting

[Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm ƒ/4, ISO 51200, ƒ/13, 1/100]

Most meetings will have some similar elements. I am showing here some of what I call the photos typical for the bullet list of shots.

The first one here is the keynote speaker showing people are listening. Here, I shot at a considerable depth of field to be sure you could see the crowd.

[NIKON D5, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 40000, 1/100, ƒ/13, (35mm = 24)]

Now, I always back up in the corner of a room and try to capture the entire space. Most meeting planners like to have this for the following years for planning purposes. They can see the room layout and prepare for the next year’s meeting.

[NIKON D5, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 1600, 1/100, ƒ/4, (35mm = 24)]

At many meetings, there is an Expo. In these situations, I have tight and medium shots, which I look for as the one shot to show what happens. You have multiple conversations going on all through the room. This helps capture why someone would like to attend the meeting for all the networking opportunities.

[X-E2, XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/55, ƒ/4.8, (35mm = 300)]

Usually, there are panels of speakers. The important thing is not just to show an element in a meeting but to capture a moment. Here, you have the speaker gesturing passionately with the other panelists, having some reaction. For example, this is better than all the panelists just sitting there waiting to speak.

[X-E2, XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/50, ƒ/4.8, (35mm = 300)]

Look for audience participation. This comes in many forms. Show them listening and look for that body language that captures them in thought. It shows that the content of the meeting is engaging.

[X-E2, XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/80, ƒ/4.8, (35mm = 300)]

Shoot tight and medium shots to show the engagement.

[X-E2, XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/80, ƒ/4.4, (35mm = 192)]

Ah, yes, the questions. Here, I show the person questioning and those around him.

[X-E2, XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/75, ƒ/4.7, (35mm = 272)]

Also, isolate the questioner. I did include just a few of the room participants here.

[X-E2, XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 2500, 1/100, ƒ/3.8, (35mm = 123)]

PowerPoint presentations can prove difficult due to the fair value on the screen compared to the speaker. But I try to compress this by shooting from the side for a more pleasing, interesting shot than straight on. However, with that said, I still shoot straight on, but the key is to give the client variety.

[X-E2, XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 5000, 1/100, ƒ/4.8, (35mm = 300)]

Don’t just get a person behind the podium. Look for gestures and facial expressions that capture their passion for the subject.

[X-E2, XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/55, ƒ/4.5, (35mm = 234)]

Specific photos communicate the conference leaders over the speakers. This is an excellent example of where one of the event planners stands up to give a few comments.

My tip for every photo you take of people is to capture the body language and facial expressions that help to tell part of the story.

Besides looking for the aesthetics, vary your aperture to include more and less in the situations. With today’s cameras and the high ISO, they can capture, you can treat a conference room like an outdoor scenic shot where everything is in focus, or you may want to direct the eyes using selective focus.