Getting good poker shots is harder than it looks.
Every now and then, a photographer gets the opportunity to shoot something that takes them outside of their comfort zone. While taking photos of people sitting around a table might sound like an easy gig, there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Whether you’re taking photos as a one-off, exploring a different side of your card playing hobby, or you want to break into event photography, there are plenty of ways that you can make sure your poker photos stand out.
Not only can you get some incredible portrait photos, but poker rooms also give you the chance to capture the ecstatic moment of a big win. Now, that’s a photo opportunity! So, how can you make sure that you get the best shots?
Settings
This one is one of those times when automatic settings won’t help you. Get to know your camera and its settings to ensure that you get the best out of it. Start by adjusting the ISO setting, which is for light sensitivity. Most poker rooms will need you to turn this up to over 1,000 for good pictures. Next, set the aperture as wide as possible to let as much light in as you can. F/1.8-F2.8 is good for poker games. Most poker rooms are lit with tungsten bulbs, so adjust your white balance setting to accommodate this.
Paying attention to the game is an excellent way to get action shots.
Lighting
As we mentioned, lighting in poker rooms can often be quite poor, which means you need to adjust your settings to allow for that. As you can’t use flash photography, you will need to rely on manual adjustments to your camera to get the best results while the games are in progress. It’s also a good idea to carry a flash with you, however, in case you wanted to take better photos of the players after the tournament has ended.
Environment
Wherever possible, it’s always a good idea to get to know the environment you will shoot in before you go. Not all poker rooms are the same, so try to get a feel for the space before the event. Pay attention to the lighting, the backgrounds for the tables, how to frame specific shots and which spots to avoid. After all, you don’t want to ruin a perfectly good photo with a huge advertising billboard in the background.
Players
Just as all poker rooms are different, all poker players are different, too. With so many personalities and passion in the room, you never know what will happen from one moment to the next. Whether they have been practicing in online poker rooms or in the company of others, players can sometimes react or give the game away, which can lead to lots of photo opportunities.
Etiquette
When it comes to approaching a table, choose which player you are keen to take shots of and set up opposite them. Remember to stay out of the way of players and tournament staff, as you don’t want to disrupt the game. Take a few shots of the player to get the settings right and try to catch them looking up, not down. Also, wait until your player has cards in their hand, as this will make for a much better shot.
Happy snapping!