I get this question from time to time: “Am I allowed to take photos and videos during your magic show?”
Some parents explained that a lot of times magicians may not want videos taken because they may reveal their secrets. However, ever since I started performing, I feel this is rather illogical! I would want the parents to take photos and videos so they can keep the memories of their children celebrating their birthdays forever!
You are paying for the magician’s show, so you have the rights to the show!
So here are some tips on how to take great photos (using your handphone) that I have learned from professional photographers over the years.
Capture Reaction Shots
Don’t just take photos and videos of only the entertainer or where the main action is happening. Capture some reaction shots of the children as well. Mr Bottle’s Birthday Magic show has about 6 to 10 interactions per minute. In other words, the children may be laughing, screaming, pointing, participating, and answering questions 6 to 10 times per minute. So you can get lots of reaction shots!
Anticipate those reactions and when your child is participating.
Mr Bottle will email you the acts of the show when you enquire so you know when the birthday child is helping with the magic show.
If you were to book our choosing ceremony 抓周, then our host will prepare the photographer for each of the precious moments to capture.
Be generous with your clicks
Nowadays with digital camera, you can shoot away. That very big reaction may happen only a fraction of a second so burst away and just delete photos that may be less interesting. Just clear your handphone memory before the big day so you have ample space.
Use Portrait Mode
If your venue is small, chances are that you will have a lot of people in the backdrop. Hence make use of the portrait mode or even live mode to make the unwanted things blurry or disappear. Of course, if you have decorations, then make use of them as a background as much as you can!
Do not position the magician or entertainer in front of the windows.(or light source)
Most handphones will detect light, reducing the brightness of the photo and hence the magician or anyone on stage, will be in shadow.
Do not run on stage or between the performer and the audience to take a photo!
It is distracting, disrespectful, and may even affect the enjoyment of the show.
Make full use of the functions of your handphone
Make use of wide-angle to capture more people in a small space. Adjust the brightness if necessary. Make sure of panorama to capture photos creatively.
Do not over-prepare your child for the party.
There were quite a few times at the party that I saw birthday children not enjoying themselves and behaving differently from others. You want them to enjoy so dress them in their favourite comfortable clothes. Do not make them nervous by telling them how to react. Just let them have fun on their big day.
Use a tripod or holder.
Unless you have really steady hands, putting a tripod at a strategic location will produce that professional video you need. You can also watch the show via your screen. A lot of times, you may be busy entertaining your friends at the party and need to run off to get the cake or attend to a late-comer, you can just leave the video recording.
If budget allows, get professional videographer and photographer to capture the moments because they are trained to do this. Look for photographers who are experienced in shooting events and parties because they know when and how to capture the energy of a birthday party. They will also help edit the video to make a montage of your event because the raw footage may contain a lot of unnecessary parts.
Bonus tip
If you have a 2D cake, put a plate or something similar at one end so the photo captures the cake design!
Ask your party planner if they can recommend one because like magicians, there are just so many on the internet and anyone can say they are the world’s greatest photographers. Read the article on how to choose a good magician and apply it to photographers.