Conference Lighting challenges

The 62nd Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) took place from November 16 to 18, 2024, at the ACC Liverpool, an interconnected arena, convention, and exhibition centre situated on the banks of Liverpool’s waterfront.

Themed "Lifelong endocrine care through collaboration, discovery, and innovation," the conference brought together leading experts in paediatric endocrinology to discuss advancements in the field.

The scientific programme featured a diverse range of sessions, including keynote lectures, symposia, and workshops, covering topics such as diabetes, growth disorders, and endocrine genetics. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research and clinical practices.

In addition to the scientific sessions, the meeting offered networking opportunities, allowing professionals to collaborate and share insights. A highlight was the ESPE Evening held on November 16 at the Liverpool Cathedral, providing a social setting for delegates to connect.

The event also featured ePoster Tours, where selected posters were presented during lunch breaks, facilitating interactive discussions among participants.

Overall, ESPE 2024 served as a significant platform for advancing paediatric endocrinology through collaboration, discovery, and innovation.

One of the trickiest aspects of conference photography is managing lighting conditions in dynamic environments. Unlike studio settings or controlled photo shoots, conferences typically take place in large, sometimes poorly lit, and fast-changing venues. The unpredictable lighting at such events presents a considerable challenge to photographers who must ensure that the photos are clear, sharp, and visually compelling without compromising the quality of the images.

Lighting Challenges in Conference Photography

Varied Lighting Conditions: Conferences often take place in venues with mixed lighting setups. In large auditoriums, natural light may flood the room through windows, while artificial lighting (overhead, spotlights, and stage lights) can create harsh contrasts. These different light sources can cause uneven color balance, making the photos appear inconsistent. For instance, the stage lights may create a warm glow on speakers, but overhead lights could cause the background to look dull and lifeless. Photographers must skillfully adjust their camera settings to balance these various light sources and achieve a harmonious exposure.

Low Light Environments: Many conferences are held in rooms with dim lighting to create a comfortable atmosphere, often necessary for visual presentations or videos on large screens. While these low-light settings may be ideal for the comfort of the audience, they pose significant problems for photographers. Low light often results in blurry images unless a photographer compensates with a slow shutter speed or higher ISO, both of which can compromise the sharpness or introduce noise in the photo.

Furthermore, photographers may also need to use flash to brighten the scene, which, when used incorrectly, can disturb both the attendees and the speaker. Flash can cause harsh shadows, overexposure of close subjects, or cause a “deer-in-the-headlights” effect on the individuals being photographed. In some cases, flash may be restricted or prohibited during speeches or presentations to avoid distractions, making the task even more complex.

Overcoming Mixed Lighting Sources: In large conferences, multiple light sources might be present, including fluorescent lighting, ambient room lighting, and strong stage lighting. A significant challenge is balancing these light sources to maintain consistency across different shots. For example, an image of a panel discussion under cool, fluorescent lighting can look very different from a speaker illuminated by warm spotlights. This variation requires careful color correction post-production, or if a photographer is quick with settings adjustments, they can balance the exposures in-camera.

To counteract this, a photographer must often take several test shots and adjust the camera’s white balance, ISO, and aperture settings, so the photos are neither too warm nor too cold. This requires a keen understanding of how different light sources affect the final image.

Compensating for Lighting Issues

Camera Settings: Photographers must have an in-depth knowledge of their cameras and how they interact with light. They need to make quick adjustments to ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to ensure the best results. A low ISO (e.g., 100-400) will keep noise to a minimum in bright areas, but in dim settings, the photographer may need to increase the ISO (800-1600 or higher). Higher ISO settings, however, can introduce grain, so balancing between a high enough ISO to avoid underexposure and a low enough ISO to keep the photo clean is an art in itself.

To manage the exposure properly, a larger aperture (a smaller f-number like f/2.8) is often needed to let more light into the camera. This helps compensate for the lack of natural light in many conference venues. However, a wide aperture reduces the depth of field, which can make it challenging to keep everyone in focus if the speaker is far from the camera.

The shutter speed also needs to be fast enough to avoid motion blur. A good rule of thumb is to shoot at a speed that’s faster than the focal length of the lens, for example, at least 1/100 for a 100mm lens. However, in darker environments, slow shutter speeds are often necessary, and photographers have to deal with the tradeoff of motion blur versus image brightness.

Understanding Lighting Equipment: In some cases, conference photographers bring their own lighting equipment, like portable strobes or LED panels, to supplement the venue’s lighting. These tools can help illuminate the subjects without being as intrusive as a traditional flash. However, positioning the equipment strategically, especially in crowded or busy environments, can be tricky. A photographer must balance providing enough light to capture details while ensuring the setup doesn’t distract from the event or obstruct sightlines for attendees.

Using Natural Light to Advantage: When possible, photographers should take advantage of natural light sources, such as windows or skylights. However, this requires timing and positioning. A photographer must determine the best time of day when the natural light provides a soft, flattering glow. Adjusting the camera settings for natural light while avoiding harsh shadows or overexposed areas is vital. This can be especially difficult when the conference room has both bright light streaming in from windows and dimmer areas where the action takes place.

Post-Production and Editing:

Even after capturing the perfect shot, the lighting challenges are not over. Often, adjustments in post-production are necessary to fix exposure issues, color balance, and contrast. While raw images from professional cameras capture a lot of detail, the photographer may need to fine-tune highlights, shadows, and color correction to bring out the best in the photo.

For example, the color temperature of a shot may need to be adjusted to compensate for warm or cool lighting effects, especially when shooting under mixed lighting conditions. This requires a deep understanding of photo editing software and the ability to correct color casts effectively.

Conclusion:

The lighting challenges in conference photography are significant but can be managed with the right skills and equipment. Successful conference photographers need to be adaptable, making quick decisions on camera settings and equipment adjustments. With experience and expertise, they learn to handle low-light environments, mixed lighting conditions, and unexpected lighting changes without disrupting the flow of the event. Mastering these lighting challenges ensures that the photos they take are not only technically excellent but also visually compelling, telling the story of the conference in a way that resonates with participants long after the event ends.