It was the second time around, doing work for the Illinois Sheriff’s Association. Every year, the organization gathers for a three day meeting, culminating in a dinner and awards banquet. Many sheriffs from the 102 counties in Illinois attend this meeting. Spouses, family, and staff are often along as well.
Knox County Sheriff David Clague was the 2019 president. David, and his wife Debbie, contacted me last year, about photographing the event, which was held in East Peoria. I accepted. That job consisted of making candid photos at the banquet, as well as group and award presentation photos. It also included gathering the sheriffs on a large staircase for a group photo in the hotel lobby.
Everything went generally well, though I did not know what I was getting into in scope and size. I took only four, “speed lights.” Small flashes that are quick and easy to use, but lack the power of studio lighting gear. The banquet room in East Peoria was large. The lights were under powered for the job.
They must have been happy. I was invited back to work this event in Normal, IL. Learning from the first gig, I prepared for the second gig. All four Alien Bee heads (the brand name of the larger flash units), and three Nikon speed lights, made the trip. I even made a “reconnaissance” trip to the Normal Marriott ahead of time. This allowed me to see the rooms. To look for electrical outlets, etc. To make a plan.
It had been decided there would be no group photo this year. Additions did include head and shoulder portraits of some staff and officers. Also, the incoming president, his family, and his wife. I pitched the idea of making those photos in the lobby, using the warm glow of ambient light, rather than “mug shot style” (pun intended) against some wall. Teri, my contact, liked the idea. Once these were completed, it was banquet time.
Two rooms, totaling 10,000 square feet, was my “paette.” Four lights were placed, roughly in the four corners of the entire room. Each on a 13 foot stand, each with a reflector, each set at full power. I debated on whether to bounce the lights into, and off the ceiling. This would soften the light and make the flashes less obtrusive. The space was too large, and too much power would be lost. As was, this set up gave an exposure of f4.5 at 200th of a second, at 400 ISO. Test shots revealed generally consistent, and pleasing light.
For extra measure, two speedlights were set along each side wall and aimed at the head table. This was to decrease the chance of cross lighting. A grand total of six lights were set and ready.
Someone wondered about dimming the houselights for better ambiance. They tried it. The flashes were very evident. There was concern it would be too much a distraction. We all worked together and compromised. The house lights were turned back up. The power was dialed down on the flashes. The two lights at the front of the room would not be used at all. I even offered to shoot without any flashes, but explained the affect it would have on color, quality, and detail. We worked it all out without a hint of tenseness.
Moving about the room and observing people, photos were made. Looking to be ready if something happened. The even ran though it’s course. It went well. The lack of the two lights was a handicap, but not a disaster. I worked around it.
Cops have a tough job. Always have. It’s easy to second guess them at times. It’s dangerous out there. One of the awards went to a team of dispatchers from Fulton County, for their work this past summer, in a situation where a deputy was shot and killed. Attendees were emotional. I was able to capture some of that.
When the formal setting was complete, a handful of group portraits were made. And that concluded the work for the evening. I packed it all up and came home. Hopeful I’ll work for them again in 2021.
