Photography Outing to the Renaissance Festival

Huzzah! Travel back to the 16th century for a day of pageantry and performance at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. Set in the fictional village of Covington Glen, the fair offers a rich photographic environment, from the armored combat of the Royal Joust to the whimsical inhabitants of the Fairy Glen.

Whether you are interested in action, environmental portraits, or macro details of costumes and artisan crafts, this outing provides an opportunity to practice unique storytelling.

Festival highlights:

The Royal Joust: Capture the intensity of “Combatants Keep,” one of the world’s premier jousting teams, as they compete in the Arena of Valor.
Street Characters: Look for the many costumed individuals of the Queen’s Court, wandering minstrels, and the “Fae Folx” for striking “period” portraits.
May 16th presents a Pirate theme, with additional swashbuckling performers.
Artisan Demonstrations: Check out artists presenting glass blowing, blacksmithing, and traditional weaving.
Castle Gwynn: Photograph the exterior and grounds of this unusual Tennessee landmark. Bus rides available to the grounds from 11-3.
Festival Map – Daily Schedule

Techniques to Try

Action & High Shutter Speeds: Use speeds of 1/1000s + during jousting to freeze the spray of dirt and the clash of lances!
Shallow Depth of Field: With large crowds in the background, use a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4) to isolate performers and create beautiful bokeh that makes their intricate costumes pop.
Candid Storytelling: Instead of posed shots, try to capture the “characters” interacting with guests or each other.
Macro & Texture: Zoom in on the textures of chainmail, hand-tooled leather, and the natural materials of the Fairy Habitats.

Important Details

Tickets: $28 in advance and $38 day of. Purchase tickets in advance as weekends often sell out. Field parking is included in ticket.
Optional group lunch – we may get food onsite; there are multiple concessions or perhaps decide on a restaurant in the vicinity. TBD.

Hold Harmless Agreement: As with all BPG outings, please ensure you submit a Hold Harmless Agreement. Family members welcome, but must submit a HHA.

Following the outing, members are encouraged to submit one image to be featured in our Outings Gallery. Please size your image to 2000 pixels on the longest edge.

Overview

The Nashville Zoo, a perennial favorite, is home to over 3,700 animals representing more than 350 species. In March, the temperate weather should keep the animals active and alert, rather than lethargic from the heat. Keep an eye out for newly arrived babies! You might spot Red Pandas and Andean Bears climbing in their habitats or Tigers more visible in their exhibit.

Also – Don’t miss the NEW Leopard Forest which features the endangered Amur leopard and the return of the giraffes. This area includes an “overhead bridge” where leopards can walk above you – perfect for dramatic low-angle shots as well as a leopard-viewing building and numerous observation points.

We will meet at 9:00 AM to take advantage of the soft morning light, which is flattering for capturing the fur and feathers of the animals. Bring your telephoto lens to photograph all your favorite animals. Practice portraits and close ups or perhaps use fast shutter speeds to capture shy ones. Work with depth of field to isolate your subject. Don’t miss the Kangaroo Kickabout, where you can try extreme close-ups for wide-angle “environmental portraits.”

Some technique tips:

The Fence Vanishing Act: Set your camera to Aperture Priority and use the widest aperture. Get your lens as close to the mesh as possible; the shallow depth of field will make the fence disappear.
Nail the Eyes: If your camera has Animal Eye AF, turn it on. If not, use Spot Focus and lock onto the eye. A photo of a tiger is just “okay,” but one with sharp eyes is a masterpiece.
Eliminate Glass Reflections: Reflections can ruin photos of reptiles and fish. Use a collapsible rubber lens hood and press it against the glass to seal out light behind you, making the glass disappear. If needed, try Lightroom’s Remove Reflections feature.

Additional “animal” encounter – Try your hand at photos of life-size dinosaurs!

Dino Trek features over 20 animatronic dinosaurs, some towering over 20 feet tall and weighing more than 5,000 pounds. Located along a hidden path near the Historic Home, nearly 50 dinosaurs await. Tickets for Dino Trek are an additional $5 and can be purchased nearby or at the ticket desk.

Any questions, contact the Outings coordinator.

Admission Details

Admission: $29, Tickets (free for Zoo members)

Location: Nolensville Pike, about 17 min from Otter Creek Church.

Parking: Parking lot at entrance, $10 per car to park (free for members).

Family members: Family members are welcome to accompany you. We just need a Hold Harmless Agreement for each guest.

– Edessa Restaurant
– 3802 Nolensville Pike
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