Behind the lens: Capturing joyful moments, like at Quincy graduations
Editor's note: You see Greg Derr's photos all the time. But how a particular image is made can be just as compelling. "Behind the Lens" brings you more information about the images.
I always have believed the best images are those that are unscripted. This is the best time of their lives for many high schoolers, they are finishing school and turning into adults. The climax of their 12 years in education is on one day: graduation. At the Ledger, we cover dozens of graduations, sometimes as many as 30.
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As a photographer, it is all about the joy of the moment for the kids. To get the best shots, I typically “either go early or stay late,” as a former editor of mine once told me. For the Quincy graduation, I went early, as I did for North Quincy High’s graduation the night before. Both graduations are held at Veterans Stadium and draw hundreds of graduates and thousands of friends and family.
To get a variety of shots, I like to get the students before graduation as they assemble, they are relaxed and with their friends. It’s this time that they are able to show their real personality and feel free of the formal program.
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I like to make most of my images unposed – “unscripted,” if you will. So, I work the edges of massed students looking for the joyfulness of the moment. For this I like to shoot with a zoom telephoto lens, an 80-200mm on my Canon 5D. The camera is very quiet so there is no loud clicking to draw attention to me (not that a guy with two cameras is inconspicuous). If I see a moment, I quickly raise the camera, take the shot, then lower the camera.
The light was good late in the day, casting a warm amber glow across the field of students. I saw one young lady laughing with friends. She had a great smile and the light was just right to accent her bright pink hair. It was a great moment and showed how happy she was. They were all happy. I still remember my graduation and how happy I was 43 years ago.
Greg Derr is a 35-year veteran of The Patriot Ledger. He is a master photographer and author of two books, “Boston’s South Shore” and “Plymouth at Its Best.” He has covered everything from the Super Bowl to presidential Inaugurations while always maintaining his focus on the South Shore. Greg is also a former US Olympian.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Behind the lens: Capturing joyful moments like at Quincy graduations
