Photographing Events That Serve Booze

<p>Do you ever join in?</p>

<p>If is is friends or family and I am using my pocket camera, yes I do.<br>

If I am there to shoot the festivies, then No.</p>

<p>You could ask bartenders same question. I did both, photographing and bartending events and did not "join in".</p>

<p>When doing it professionally a long time back, the most I ever did was join the toast to the Bride & Groom prevalent at some ceremonies. Enough going on without making things more difficult for yourself.</p>

<p>I totally agree with Willis. Family and friends are one thing. But if I'm there to provide a service, whether paid or voluntary, there is no way that I'd join in the drinking. </p>

Not if I'm working.

<p>"On the job" you should remain street legal. Beyond that it might take gear I haven't bought yet (if proper stuff exists at all). - I am not among the best photographers while sober and out of drinking practice. Everything I read on alcohol's impact is a big red flag:</p>

<ul>

<li>Reaction speed gets throttled. -> Missed pictures!</li>

<li>Speech impact -> Hard to arrange anything (group shots?) while you rely on your tripod's sturdiness to keep yourself upright.</li>

<li>Movement becomes less controlled: -> Don't zoom with your feet. Don't change lenses. </li>

<li>"Sometimes when I am drunk I make mistakes" translates to uncomplicated highly automated cameras with intuitive interfaces. Ultra rugged and or dirt cheap gear is required to stand the mechanical abuse happening while you bump into walls or trip over your feet, but whatever was built that well usually comes without AF and manual focusing skills get flushed away.</li>

<li>Tunnel vision: Forget your outer VF frame lines! (& face the focusing challenge)</li>

</ul>

<p>I can't get rid of the feeling that alcohol tends to flow in the dark and unfortunately I haven't gotten hold of an AF camera handling such situations with inexpensive kit zooms and preferably without flash, since hotshoe feet are too likely to break. <br>

Another big issue: While you might like to take your bread-shots with something decent (& expensive) and switch to outdated leftovers later, when you'll join the drinking: How is drunk you supposed to guard all that stuff and get the good kit home? - Are you comfortable with the idea of covering the<em> entire</em> event with bottle bottoms mounted on 6MP DSLRs?</p>

<p>Not if I'm working and not if I'm in my car</p>

I always thought the 'B' exposure mode was for booze.

<blockquote>

<p>I always thought the 'B' exposure mode was for booze</p>

</blockquote>

<p>and A is for Alcohol, or Ale; S is for spirits or shots, and M is for mixed-drinks :)<br>

<br>

Like others, if I'm paid or otherwise "on duty" then no, if I'm a guest doing a favor, then sure--as long as my wife is there to drive me home. <br>

</p>

<p>No. Never. When I am working I am working. When I am driving home I am driving.</p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /><strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

Let's not overlook the other aspect. DUI developing under the

influence. One can become quite innovative especially when

trying to correct for initial "unforseen issues".

<p>When I shot weddings I never drank except maybe a beer at wrap. At one wedding I worked with a very experienced video guy (retired CBC cameraman) who told me I was the only photographer he'd worked with who didn't hoist a few. He said he'd seen lots of photographers get hammered. I was a bit shocked I have to say. </p>

When I shot weddings, if I was offered champagne for a toast, I'd join the toast (after snapping a few shots), but I would never get at all inebriated while working.