One of the things that make photography such a fascinating art form is that it’s essentially boundless. To say that “the world is their canvas” for photographers may sound like a meaningless cliché, but in this case, there’s some truth in the phrase. At least, in theory, photographers can focus on any subject in the known world.
This inevitably leads to some niche subjects commanding a surprising amount of attention. And one example of this is the steady focus on the game of poker that we’ve seen from accomplished photographers over the years. Upon first thought, poker doesn’t seem much like a subject that would intrigue people seeking out beautiful or evocative images.
One need only conduct brief research on poker photography, however, to find some very talented figures in the field. Fabian Grubler and Drew Amato have some of the best work you can find; Ulvis Alberts is essentially the patriarch of the subject; and Joe Giron, despite being best known for his work with rock bands, is the closest thing we have to an official visual chronicler of the World Series Of Poker. These are not merely men who enjoy poker and take pictures of the game; they’re skilled professional photographers drawing high-quality art from poker tables.
The surprising amount of activity surrounding this subject begs a simple question: What is it that makes poker a worthwhile and fruitful subject?
For some of the photographers mentioned above — and most notably Giron — poker is essentially event photography, and can be covered somewhat similarly to a sporting event, or even a theater production. This may seem strange to some because today it’s easy to think of poker exclusively as an online game. With so many available ways to play poker with friends online and even compete in real-cash tournaments, the notion of players sitting down at tables is almost beginning to seem old-fashioned. The truth, however, is that there’s still an awful lot of poker played in crowded casinos, at professional events, and even in dingier rooms and private clubs.
That covers the availability of the subject. But what is it that makes it truly worthwhile for photographers? There are likely several answers to this question, and the most accurate — unsatisfying as it may be — is that it simply speaks to them. Good photography is built on true intrigue and passion, which is to say that a photographer who happens to find beauty in poker will set out to capture it. Looking at things in a slightly more technical way though, some factors make poker good practice as well, and therefore useful to photographers.
- Zoom – First and foremost, photographing a poker game almost necessitates that you experiment with your zoom lens. Unless it’s a particularly casual affair or the game is staged for photography, to begin with, you likely won’t be hovering right over the table. You’ll have to zoom in and out to capture both the broader scene and the nuances of the game, and doing so at relatively close range can be excellent as you look to gain precision in your zooming.
- Focus & Perspective – There are also a lot of opportunities in a poker setting to play with different focal points and depths of field. You might want the table in focus and its surroundings in the background; you might want to zoom in on-chip stacks and cards with the players behind them; you may even find ways to capture clear faces of players with tables and backgrounds intentionally left less clear. There are layers to a scene of this kind, in other words, and this gives you ample opportunity to experiment with methods and preferences alike.
- Lighting – A lot of experienced photographers rely on their lighting equipment to create optimal settings. And this, with a staged game, may ultimately produce some of the most engaging poker photos. In a real game, however, you get the opportunity to practice taking photos in bad lighting — through flash, bursts, changes to your aperture, or whatever else works! Whether you’re in a casino with fluorescent overhead lighting or a backroom kept a bit dimmer than the average venue, it’s pretty common for a poker game to have an iffy lighting situation. That, for a photographer, is a chance to practice.
- Moments & Narrative – Finally, shooting a poker game also gives you a chance to capture subtle moments and convey a narrative that isn’t always visible even to active spectators. Finding expression in players’ determinedly stoic faces is an excellent challenge, and discovering ways to convey the story of the game requires real talent. It’s important to remember when you’re working on your craft that there are skills beyond the purely technical as well, and these intangible challenges will do you well.
Given these factors, it’s not difficult to see why the game of poker has proven to be a draw for some very talented photographers. Those looking for opportunities to practice their craft may find value in the game as well.
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