Photography Tips for The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays, mainly because of The Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous, a Revolutionary War reenactment fair in my hometown. The event brings people from all over the country (and Canada!) to Vincennes. I think they all secretly just come for the delicious grilled corn on the cob.

Every year, there is a photography contest with cash prizes awarded. I participated in 2011, and it was a blast! I managed to walk away with one award and two honorable mentions. For more information on the photo contest, click here and you'll find Photo Contest on the left column. You MUST register beforehand to qualify, and it is $12.00.  Even if you are just taking pictures for the fun of it, here are some tips I have to share! Take these tips with a grain of salt, because every photographer has a different approach these kinds of things. 


Pack minimal gear. 
You don't want to be toting around a whole camera bag full of heavy gear.  I recommend sticking to 1-2 lenses.  As far as lenses go, this all comes down to what kind of shot you’re after. For the actual battle re-enactments, your favorite go-to zoom lens will be your best bet. As for me, I like the intimacy that a 50mm prime lens offers.  This closeness creates an emotional connection between the subject and the viewer of the photograph.

Don’t be shy! 
Taking pictures of strangers can be a little awkward, especially if you’ve never tried it before.  But the Rendezvous and other re-enactment fairs and festivals are the perfect place to try it out for the first time.   Most re-enactors love being photographed, and they’re used to it.  These people are passionate about what they do.  Please do take time to make small talk, show interest in what they are doing, give genuine compliments, and at the very least--smile!

Be patient. 
Something exciting will happen eventually. The “perfect shot” will come if you wait.   There is a lot going on in every direction at the Rendezvous, and you’re going to miss some of the most beautiful, captivating, or funny moments if you move too fast.  Slow down and keep your eyes open. And don’t forget to smile.  Don’t “shoot and spray”  (i.e., take 500 pictures in an hour.) You will be more satisfied if you walk away with one outstanding, breathtaking photo than a couple hundred “eh” pictures. 

Tell a story. 
What do your pictures "say"?  Do you see emotion on your subjects' faces?  Do you see movement?  Can you see your subjects' hands?  Ask yourself, is this just a nice snapshot, or does this photograph tell a story about a moment in time? 

Capture the details.
Don't forget about all the little details--the trinkets, the weapons, the animals, the food, and the clothing.  Your shot doesn't have to have a face in it to be interesting!  These detail shots help tell your story.  That said, detail shots probably aren't the best choice to submit for the photo contest; I believe the judges are more interested in people shots.

Think outside the box! 
Look around you at the Rendezvous. How many cameras do you see?  Heck, how many DSLRs do you see? Everybody’s got one and everybody’s photographing the same thing.  If you want your photos to stand out, ask yourself how you can capture it differently. Anybody can take a picture of a woman spinning yarn in her tent, but not everybody sees it the way you see it.

Avoid modern details, if possible. 
In 2011 I got some beautiful shots of a sweet girl decked out in old-fashioned clothing playing the violin. You know what's in the background? Shiny cars. And I hate that photo. I'm still kicking myself for not being quick on my feet and shooting from a different perspective.  So check your backgrounds. Do you see cars? A hipster on a cell phone? See any porta-potties back there?  Might want to recompose your shot.

And to completely contradict that, capture the modern details (with intent.) 
The visitors at the Rendezvous are a huge part of it, too. Step back and get a picture of the crowd enjoying a show, or some kids fighting with swords. Another approach is to show the contrast between the old and the new--maybe a Native American in a tradional headdress standing next to kid with a iPod.  Whatever you capture, make it intentional.

Forget about perfect light. 
Unfortunately, most of the Rendezvous festivities are over long before Golden Hour. You are going to have to take pictures in harsh sunlight whether you like it or not. Thankfully, photojournalism is a little more forgiving when it comes to blown highlights and other imperfections. It's more about moments. 

Pay attention to your exposure settings when moving from light to dark. 
There's a big difference between shooting in the bright sun compared to inside one of the tents.  If you don't adjust your settings before stepping inside a merchant's tent or a shaded area, you might end up with some underexposed shots.

Don't over-edit. 
Minimal editing is best for these kinds of photos, especially if you're entering the contest.  Don't overdo it.  A good, clean edit is enough--and if you're like me, I love making black and white photographs of the Rendezvous.

Know your laws. 
Legally, you can photograph anything you want at the Rendezvous as long as you don't use it commercially.  This means that you are permitted to use these photos online, in the photography contest, and otherwise display them.  You are NOT allowed to use them to advertise any kinds of services if there are any identifiable subjects in the photos, though. To be on the safe side, if you think you might someday use these images commercially, just have your subjects sign a model release. Getty Images has a free model release right here.  And at the very least, if you get a vibe that your subject is not loving having their photo taken, leave them alone and delete the photos you took or just keep them for your personal use. 


Have fun!