Magic of Las Vegas

I went to Las Vegas this past weekend and was inspired by all the great photographic opportunities. On such a busy holiday weekend, there were insane amounts of people. Taking photos in Vegas is so much fun because of the variety of things to shoot; people, landscapes, lights, signs, architecture…the list goes on.

We had a great view from the hotel of most of Vegas, we were on the 21st floor and it was awesome. If you are planning a trip anywhere, never miss the chance to take photos. I’ve gone on several vacations and didn’t have my camera and of course, I later regretted it. There have been times when I just wanted to enjoy the views and I felt it was a hassle to drag my equipment around, but those always seem to be the times that I kick myself for not having my camera. You never know when that perfect photo opp. will happen.

It’s also a good idea to plan ahead and make your trip specifically about taking photos. This way you’ll have a goal in mind and you’ll know exactly what you want to shoot. I like to use Google Maps or Google Earth to research locations, find places to shoot and look at other photos. Google Maps now has the ability to look at Photos and Videos posted by other users of the specific area you are looking for. Click here to see a Google Map of Las Vegas.

Shoot Better Photos at Night

One of the great things about Vegas is the nightlife. Not only are the streets busy all hours of the night, but there are lights everywhere. Whether you are inside a casino or out on the strip, you can’t avoid seeing beautiful displays of great lighting. If you plan on taking any photos at night, I highly recommend bring a tripod. You’ll want to use a slow shutter speed and the lowest ISO possible on your camera.

When shooting at night, if you use a fast ISO, higher than 400, there is a good chance you’ll end up with a ton of grain in your photos. To avoid this, you can use 100 ISO or lower if your camera allows. If you’re not that technical with your camera or you’re not sure about the settings, see if it has a “Night Mode.” On many camera’s this is indicated by a moon or moon and star. The Auto Night setting will give you darker darks and better brightness on the lighter areas. Having a tripod will allow you to have longer exposures without getting blurry photos. This is great for shooting nicely illuminated architecture.

If shooting portraits, headshots or snapshots of people, having an external flash will increase your chances of a better photo. If using a built in flash, try not to get too close to your subject. Getting too close will blow out the subject with white, leaving the background dark and giving the “deer in headlights” look. Try to avoid this at all costs, it’s not an attractive look on anyone. Never take photos of people against completely dark background, unless this is the look you are going for. In Vegas there are so many signs, buildings, and other things that are nicely lit. Try to place your human subjects near these nicely lit areas.

Here is an example of a hotel shot at night with a low ISO and Auto-mode set to “Night Shot”

Here is another example of an interior shot, using full automatic mode, with the camera hand held, no tripod.

Here is an example of bad night photography. You want to avoid this at all cost. Again, this is why it is important to us a tripod. I had left my tripod in the car which was about a mile from our hotel, so I was dreading going back to get it. Without a tripod, trying to shoot hand-held night photos doesn’t work so well, as you can see below.

If planning a photoshoot in Las Vegas, make sure you have a variety of lenses ranging from closeup to wide angle. Having a variety of lenses or one lens with a good range will allow you to get a variety of shots. You’ll need wider angle lenses when shooting the tall building, or interior shots. You’ll need to closeup range for portraits, interior details, or exterior details of buildings. Using built in flashes is okay for snap shots, but if you really want great looking photos, try to get an external flash. If you can’t afford a quality external flash, try renting one. Many large camera stores rent lenses for great prices. Check your local area for camera stores and call to see what their rental policies are. Renting is also a great way to get familiar with a variety of camera accessories and equipment. Usually you can rent over a weekend and return the following Monday. When you have a three day weekend, take advantage of the opportunity and rent everything you need.

Don’t forget your camera!

Whether planning a trip to Vegas or anywhere else in the world, don’t forget your camera, even if it is a small snapshot camera. I took my Sony WSC-W7, a small Cyber-shot most of the time at night, and it worked out great. You don’t have to take a huge SLR with you every moment just to get great photos. Just be creative, and remember to shoot digital, so you can keep taking photos until you get the perfect shot!