Do you have any suggestions for poolside photography?

Question

I'm going to photograph an event which will happen in a outdoor spa: pools with brilliant architecture and people having a good time. I think that most of the pictures will be taken at night.

I hope my description is not too vague. So if you have any suggestions, they would be very welcome.

Answer

Sounds like a fantastic shooting opportunity! A couple of suggestions that spring to mind:

• Use the surface reflection of the water. If there are lights nearby you'll get some great effects with them reflected across the water. Likewise that "brilliant architecture" you mention should look even better with a rippled reflection beneath it.

• If your camera will let you, push the ISO high and the aperture wide to get a fast shutter speed. Try to capture those people "having a good time" in the water with splashes frozen in mid air.

• If there's underwater lighting, try some very low angles - basically with the camera as close to the water level as you dare. You should get some great portraits with very unusual, exotic looking lighting.

Good luck and have fun!

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