Backdrop for ACT Gala red carpet
Last night I discovered why red carpet photographers all carry such big flashes: it's to assert their power. I'm not a huge fan of how flash looks - aesthetically - but when you put an external on a camera, it makes you look like you know what you're doing.
I was paid to shoot the red carpet for the opening night gala of ACT "Tales of the City." The event took place in a tented venue in Union Square as well as in front of the theater a few blocks away. At first I didn't put my flash on, I didn't like the effect it produced with the backdrop and tent overhead. However, because of this, the rest of the photographers (all men by the way), probably thought I was inadequate comparatively and got in front of my shots. To be a female in the event coverage photography line takes some thick skin and big balls. Since I'm covering another event for the Chron next week, I'll have another chance to practice.
