Casino Photography for Different Table Games
There is no dearth of excellent subjects when it comes to doing experimental photography or professional shoots. One of the most colorful and exciting themes is casino tables. For the uninitiated, the casino table is home to a host of games that are older than the science of photography itself. For example, the classic thrill of the roulette wheel, the excitement of reading your opponent in poker, or a high-stakes game of baccarat enjoyed in the James Bond movies – these are all centered on some kind of a casino table.
The deck of cards, people sitting around a table, waitresses and supporters looking over the shoulders of serious faces locked in a mental fight, and so on. There’s a lot that makes a casino table an amazing subject for any photo.
With that in mind, here’s a guide to taking stunning photographs of a casino table for different types of games and situations. Without further ado, let’s dive right into it!
Pin Down the Atmosphere
We live in a world where the majority of entertainment methods have moved online. Casinos have also been impacted by this. Today, it’s so easy and convenient to play casino online that there’s hardly any reason, even for high-rollers, to drive to a land-based casino to play a few games. The reasons behind this range from convenient live gaming to sizeable welcome rewards – there is truly a lot that virtual casinos have to offer, as they always innovate to deliver the best games to their customer base.
But did you know that these casinos still pull a large crowd? It makes one wonder how do they do that. Well, the answer is simple – the ambiance.
The atmosphere with the lighting, music, and props inside a physical casino is simply stellar. It’s begging to be snapped in the picture of a lifetime for any camera. And that’s what you should pay attention to first of all. This is also an important consideration when choosing which casino to go to in order to get your ultimate casino photograph.
For example, if you go to one of the modern casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, you will be dazzled with neon-lit facades, but if you go to the downtown or the Old Vegas, what gave Vegas its reputation (more specifically, the Fremont area), you will find smaller hotels and lobbies, but a vintage charm and a dash of authenticity. The differences between two parts of the same city can give wholly different looks to your casino photographs.
Roulette, Poker, and Baccarat: Which Games to Shoot?
Now, let’s come to the meat of the discussion. Which game or games should you go for? Don’t worry, you don’t need to take a dive into the rules of poker just to snap a photo of an intense, high-stakes poker table where everyone is on the edge of their seats.
Here are three games and how to best prepare yourself for them:
Roulette
The iconic roulette wheel is a fascinating subject for photography. Here, it’s worth focusing on capturing the dynamic movement of the spinning wheel. It has an anticipation that you simply can’t get anywhere else. Capture player faces, not just the wheel and rolling ball!
Experiment with different shutter speeds to freeze the action or create a sense of motion.
You might also want to experiment with some close-up shots of the ball landing on a number. This can convey the thrill and uncertainty of the game.
Poker
Poker tables offer a goldmine of photographic opportunities. And if you happen to catch the players trying hard to keep their poker faces up, it’s even better! Poker is a game of strategic moves and intense thinking – making it an excellent scenario to capture some amazing expressions all around the table.
Get close-ups of intense expressions, subtle gestures, and the arrangement of chips on the table.
Often, the communal aspect of the game, such as the camaraderie, the tension, and the psychological battles among the players, add a fresh touch to the game. This tells the complete story, in a way.
Baccarat
Baccarat is insanely popular all over the world. From its humble beginnings in Europe to its modern variants in North America, it’s certainly come a long way. And it’s been popular since before James Bond popularized it in media. The reason? Probably the lower house edge. As you might know, the house always wins – but baccarat (and notably blackjack) offers really low house edges, making it more fun for players.
The table is sleek and the bets are high-stakes, keeping people’s expressions always on edge. This is the perfect recipe for the perfect casino table photograph. The players being clad in sophisticated attire gives a luxurious, premium touch to the photos.
You might also want to experiment with black-and-white photography here. It adds some much-needed classic glamor to your baccarat shots.
Wrapping Up
Vegas beats the lights and bustle of all major cities in the world. I’ve covered the nightscapes and skyscrapers of Toronto, for example, in detail – but the scene in Vegas is on an entirely different level. As such, here’s a pro tip: Bring your night and portrait photography kit if you plan to go to Vegas to take these casino table photographs. Who knows, you might just stumble upon an excellent shot of the skyline!