You and your family had a wonderful time at the Renaissance Festival last year. As Royal Photographer, you snapped as many pictures as you were able and processed them immediately. But when you received the finished prints, there was something missing. True, you were able to capture all of the family members on film - they lined up in front of the Royal Snack Shop for a group photo. But, somehow, the mood just wasn't there. Your pictures looked bland and didn't seem to impart the merry feeling of the festival. By following a few simple guidelines, this year's photos can pop from your album pages and allow that day to remain clear in your mind.

I. THOU SHALT BEGIN THE TALE AT THE BEGINNING.
No knight worth his weight in armor hesitates to have his weapon at ready. Don't wait to pull out your camera after you've paid for your ticket. The journey begins at the entrance. Grab a few shots of those wenches collecting monies at the gate. Or a candid portrait of your family, gathered around the village map, is a good way to introduce the day. In example 1, I quickly snapped a picture of the entrance with visitors and townspeople. Then I zoomed in on a group of troubadours welcoming us through the gate example 2.

	Example 2
Example 1

II. THOU SHALT ALLOW VIEWERS TO SEE WHAT YOU SEE.
Pay no mind to the hundreds of people moving into your viewfinder. Allow them to be a part of your story - after all, they are a part of the mood as they jostle for position in the soda line or stroll along the avenues. Get an overview of the village example 3. In example 4, the cart ride was stopped just inside the Festival gates. The ride was quite popular and offered a colorful foreground for a reminder of the structures inside the village.

Example 3	Example 4

III. THOU SHALT DOCUMENT THE THINGS YOU ENJOY. With many events scheduled throughout the day at Renaissance Faires, often you must choose one over another. In example 5, I used a zoom lens to bypass several rows of spectators. Although a few visitors stand in the background, the falconer and his vulture are the prime focus of this shot.

Example 5

IV. THOU SHALT NOT FORGET THE KING.
Our beloved King and his Queen can often be elusive or difficult to photograph. If you are not close enough to ask an advisor for permission to use your camera, move slightly ahead of the King and his party, and wait for their passing, as in example 6. A word of warning - never photograph the King on his way to the Royal Privy. It could be cause for imprisonment.

Example 6

V. THOU SHALT CAPTURE SOME OF THE ACTION.
Have your camera ready for surprises. This boy thought his punishment was to be locked in the stocks and degraded verbally by the stockkeeper. The water torture came as a complete surprise to him - and his grandparents, who scrambled for their camera. Be prepared for the unexpected. Then get in close. examples 7 and 8.

Example 7	Example 8

VI. THOU SHALT ATTEMPT TO BE NEAR YOUR SUBJECTS.
In Example 9, I was already standing close to the spinner, and composed a shot detailing her face, costume, and her trade example 9. But then example 10 I dared to get even closer, and focused on the intricacy of her purpose, the grace of her hands, and the motion of the wheel and wool. Sometimes, photographing a portion of a subject can evoke an emotion of its own.

Example 9	Example 10

VII. THOU SHALT DISCOVER A GOOD BACKGROUND
From my position in the audience, my choice of background consisted of spectators in shorts and sunglasses, or the all-white stage set. By leaving my seat and moving to the edge of the crowd I was able to frame the face of the jester, and include a more period-appropriate castle spire in the background example 11.

Example 11

VIII. THOU SHALT REMEMBER VERTICALS.
There is no rule that says you have to hold your camera in the horizontal position. In example 12, this picture of the stone sculptor is fair. But by turning the camera on end and making the photo a vertical shot, I was able to frame the sculptor and include some of his work in the surrounding area. The first picture showcases the stonecarver. The second example 13 allows the viewer to see the artisan in his world. Not necessarily better - just different.

Example 12	Example 13

IX. IF THOU CANNOT GET THE PICTURE THOU WANTS, THOU SHALT TAKE A PICTURE ANYWAY.
It was practically impossible to find a good spot to frame a photo of the popular camel ride area. After moving back and forth a few times with no luck, I finally decided to make the spectators my subjects, instead of the camels. example 14 The resulting photo has almost a journalistic quality, and still serves to remind me of the event.

Example 14

X. THOU SHALT GIVE YOUR TALE AN END.
Instead of inserting photos willy-nilly in an album, finishing abruptly at a blank page, watch for opportunities to put closure on your day's photo session. For you, it might be that lovely maroon and pink sunset over the castle gate, or your youngest child asleep in her stroller at the end of the day. Make your last album page read like the last line of your own personal historical novel example 15.

Example 15

So sayeth I. Create your own story of a grand day at the Renaissance Faire. Your camera will help you relive that day many times over.

A FEW MORE TIPS

Use fast film. Use 400 ASA film for more versatility. With this film, you'll be able to shoot good pictures from dawn to dusk, and stop action during events.

Load your camera with fresh batteries. Batteries can run down quickly in hot or cold conditions, and leave you with a useless camera.

Change your viewpoint. Sit on the ground, or climb a tree to gain a different perspective on your surroundings.

Let the kids take a few pictures. Or better yet, give them a disposable camera to use. Children have a remarkable talent for finding a different perspective on a common subject.

Clip and snip. Take scissors to the pictures that aren't up to snuff. Cut the figure of the town crier out of that otherwise crowded photo and use it to illustrate part of your album.

Have fun. Enjoy taking your photos as much as you enjoy the festival. And take lots of film with you, so you don't have to skimp. You never know when that special photo opportunity will arise.

About Author

Rosemarie Colombraro is a novelist and freelance writer/photographer with credits in local and national magazines. She invites your comments at Birdinwhite@aol.com