How to Take Good Photos at a Ball

Want to avoid taking bad photos at a ball? The romantic lighting that makes ballrooms so special often make bad photographs. Here are our tips for making your next ball or dance photos worth keeping.

1. Work with the ballroom lighting

• Find spots near decorative lighting (chandeliers, uplighting, accent lights) rather than directly under harsh overhead lights
• Stand facing the light source so it illuminates your face, not behind you
• Avoid areas with mixed coloured lighting (red/blue/green) that make skin tones look odd

2. Smartphone settings

• Don't use flash if you can avoid it - it flattens everything and creates harsh shadows
• Experiment with Night Mode and see if you like the effects
• Tap on your subject's face on screen to help the camera focus and adjust exposure
• Hold the phone steady or brace against something since low light causes blur from movement

3. Composition 

• Get closer rather than zooming in: digital zoom makes photos grainy
• For selfies with the diary, extend your arm fully, if safe to do so - watch out for people dancing! And never use a selfie stick at a ball. We shouldn't have to say it.
• If someone else is taking the photo, ask them to take multiple shots so you have options

4. Pick the right moments to photograph

• During cocktail hour when lighting is usually better
• At your table if there are candles or table lighting
• Remember to be present. It's better to have had a great night than take great photos 

5. It's better if your photos are not perfect!

• Evening ballroom photos on smartphones will have grain or noise and that's ok. Embrace it as authentic rather than overly polished
• A slightly imperfect but genuine moment usually beats a badly lit staged shot