If I were to boil down my tips on photographing General Conference to just one thought, it would be this: Stay aware of your surroundings.
For us photographers, the matter of where we stand, sit, squat or lay down to make our pictures is of the utmost importance.
Good photographers know that a few feet, and sometimes even a few inches one way or another can make a big difference in the content and aesthetic quality of our images. We are accustomed to moving around freely as we seek to emphasize the positive attributes and minimize the negative aspects of our photographic subjects, foregrounds and backgrounds.
But you’re going to have to sacrifice some freedom of movement here at General Conference.
Access for photographers has been carefully negotiated with the organizers of General Conference and there are some places we just can’t go. Keep in mind that while our staff photographers have access at all times, you will need to get a 15-minute limited-time photo pass from the Public Information team by the door to the newsroom. No press without a photo pass are allowed in the plenary area.
Whatever you do, please stay outside of the delegate seating area (anything within the blue drapes) and off the stage.
You'll need to make sure to keep photo angles higher. You must avoid getting images of voting devices or any papers and notes of the delegates. This is considered private information and we must be cognizant of avoiding capturing any images of these items.
Much of your photography will occur in the area between the stage and the delegate seating area. This is shared space, and you need to be aware of all that’s going on around you in that space. There are sign language interpreters, worship team and tech crew members, messengers, pages, marshals, bishops and fellow photographers all moving around in there. You must remain low when in this area to avoid distractions.
Be mindful of the sightlines for the television cameras providing the conference video feed. There are large, stationary cameras on platforms in the back. There are also a few smaller cameras on tripods up by the stage, a mobile handheld camera crew and a few remote-controlled cameras scattered here and there.
Be mindful of your fellow photographers and of the delegates whose view you may be blocking.
From what I’ve seen, it’s pretty safe to stand up on either side of the center aisle red carpet, especially if you’re not right up against the stage. It’s reasonably safe to move a little closer if you squat down or sit on the floor.
It’s usually safe to stand beside one of the tripod-mounted cameras.
Be aware that the handheld camera crew (videographer and cable wrangler) may move at any time and without warning.
The corners between the low stage and the platform where the conference officers and bishops are seated are also pretty safe.
There are a few chairs in front of the first row of delegate seating that can be useful while you wait for your person to come on.
Be aware that the tripod-mounted video cameras may be running even without a videographer present. And the red recording light may not come on. They use these some of these cameras unattended when delegates are speaking at the microphones in the delegate seating area.
The lighting on the stage is quite good. The lighting in the delegate seating area is quite poor. There’s not much of it and it’s of poor quality in terms of direction, evenness of coverage and color.
The two main speaker’s podiums for presentations are further away than they have been at previous conferences. The presiding officers’ seating is close, but up high. And there’s a railing on front that blocks part of your view.
If you hope to capture video, be sure to send a request to the Public Information office as they will need to get approval from the Secretary of the Commission on the General Conference. (Last minute requests may not be possible.)
Good luck to all of you and I’ll see you out there.
Please feel free to stop and see me in the photo editing area of the newsroom or out on the floor if I can answer questions or help in any other way.