As a fringe regular for a decade or so I’ve met many people and made a number or friends. This gives me a familiarity with the Fringe as it changes year on year. Maybe it’s because I’m an observer that tries to be relaxed and in-tune with what’s going on around me.
Principally I’m here to photograph people and shows which is where I feel most at home, in essence I’m a ‘candid’ photographer. This means that apart from basic framing and minimal editing my photographs are about what’s there without being over processed.
Putting on a show here requires a lot of effort, commitment and funding, and that’s not even considering the talent required to perform. Promotion is essential to build on the use of all the resources and effort expended, which means that every photo opportunity may help to reach a wider audience.
With the advance of Social Media platforms on a range of smart phones, photographs have reached a new popularity when used to illustrate many features within a show. Most companies recognise the power of their photographs and are practiced in the art of using them. Even I, at my advanced age, have been known to use some photographs to promote my services.
Obviously performers are a natural subject for promotion, not just when appearing on a flyer but when they hand out their own ‘flyers’ they bring the personal touch and when practiced handing out flyers they add an extra dimension.
However, show or production photography can be useful to capture the character of the performance or the individual, and is well worth considering.
