Parades, events, and outdoor celebrations provide wonderful photographic opportunities. The subjects are adorned in elaborate costumes, participants are willing to pose, people are in good moods, and photo opportunities are everywhere. To get good shots, you'll need a wide to telephoto zoom, a flash to tame the harsh midday light, researched information about the celebration, and your creativity.

1) Bring the Flash: Many beginner and even experienced photographers think that a flash is reserved for indoors or night time shots. While it does serve these purposes, learning how to use it in the bright sun will improve your images exponentially. Pictures of people made in mid day are very contrasty. Deep shadows appear under the nose and chin, and eyes become deep dark sockets. The way to counter those dark areas is to add light. This is where a flash shines. The emitted light opens up the shadow areas and reveals detail. The result is a portrait with a softer, more evenly lit look. An off camera flash helped soften the morning summer sun in the accompanying photo.

©Russ Burden

2) Use a Zoom: A zoom allows you to change compositions quickly and efficiently. One that goes from wide angle to telephoto allows you to capture all the action. If you’re in tight quarters and want to include a lot into the composition or if you need to single out a small portion, you’ll be ready for any situation you encounter. An 18-200mm is ideal.  Use the 200mm focal length to capture full frame portraits of the costumed participants. Use the wide settings to capture them in their environment.

©Russ Burden

3) Single Out: To make your pictures unique, look beyond taking in the entire festival or parade in one photograph. Try to isolate details, compose the picture so the elements tell a story, and shoot from both a high or low angle. Shooting from a low angle means the background will be a plain blue sky. There will be no clutter which makes for a clean image. Don't be afraid to experiment with a new technique or trick you’ve been wanting to try.

©Russ Burden

4) Be Prepared: Research the specific route of the parade. A few days before it takes place, walk it noting the direction of the sun and what the backgrounds look like. Mark the locations where the subjects will be front lit with pleasing backgrounds. These will be the points at which you want to stake a claim. On the day of the parade, get there early enough to be in the front row of spectators and let the action come to you. If it's a small town parade, see if you can get a photographer's pass. This will allow you to walk the route with the participants and get shots that would otherwise be unobtainable. Look for settings to place people for a posed shot. If the right subject comes a long, ask him or her to pose there to get some great shots. Don’t forget to get a model release so you can use the image in the future without worry.

©Russ Burden

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Nature Photo Tours. Visit russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, email me to be placed on my Tip of the Week list and to receive announcements about upcoming tours specials or to pick up a copy of my book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.