Vivid Sydney’s top photography tips for capturing the festival’s lights including borrowing a camera

AN expert photographer shares her tips on capturing the best snaps of Vivid Sydney (and you can even borrow one of their cameras).

Canon photographer Jenn Cooper, 30, from Collaroy shares her photos- and tips from Vivid

A NORTHERN beaches photographer is offering top tips on how to take the best pictures of Vivid Sydney’s light festival from the Manly Ferry and at secret crowd-free spots around Circular Quay.

Jenn Cooper’s first piece of advice is to leave the iPad at home and put away the mobile because, if you want really good pictures, you will need to dig out your camera.

Vivid Sydney’s Birds of Lumos

“You can get good photos with a mobile but with a proper camera you can use different modes and shutter speeds to get much better pictures,” said Cooper, 31, of Collaroy.

“The difference will surprise people.”

Cooper said catching the Manly Ferry to Circular Quay was a “beautiful trip” during Vivid and a photographer’s dream because it allowed you to capture the Opera House from both sides and the bridge, too.

Canon Collective ambassador Jenn Cooper at Manly Beach. Picture: John Fotiadis

However, Cooper, one of only eight Canon Collective Ambassadors in Australia, said you needed to compensate for the movement on the ferry, which involved switching to TV mode, setting the ISO to auto and changing the shutter speed to 1/160.

“As well as making the most of the different angles, check out the reflections on the water, which can make really nice pictures too,” she said.

Once on land it can be crowded so it was best to head to higher ground.

“There are spots around Circular Quay and other areas where you can look down and capture the scene,” Cooper said.

Vivid Sydney: Organic Vibrations.

Two good places were up on the Cahill Expressway and at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

A must-have shot was capturing the long light trails of the ferries coming into Circular Quay.

Again, the TV mode setting was a good option, with the ISO on auto and the shutter speed set to 25 seconds.

“You need to have a steady camera in order for this to work,” Cooper said.

“A tripod is one option or there are spots around Circular Quay where there are flat rails to balance your camera, such as the Overseas Passenger Terminal.”

Vivid Sydney’s Magicians in the Midst.

With Vivid expanding into Barangaroo, Cooper said there would be more photographic options this year.

“Vivid is a photographer’s mecca,” she said.

“Every building is lit up so it’s great for capturing the architecture and iconic landmarks.”

Cooper hosts regular, free photographic sessions on the northern beaches, including sunrises at Avalon and Newport, astronomy nights at Long Reef and tips for mothers on portraits and capturing sports events.

During Vivid, Canon Collective will host tours, some free, where you can borrow Canon equipment and print out your favourite picture as well as special family tours.

For details and to register for Studio 8, Canon Collective Walking Tours and other events during Vivid, which runs from May 26 to June 17, go to canon.com.au/vivid.