Halloween Fright Nights at Walibi Holland is not only a spectacular event for thrill-seekers, but also a perfect opportunity to test photography skills in a challenging environment. This year, Walibi has invested heavily in the scare zones, with new set pieces, extra effects and striking additions that provide unique photo opportunities.
In this article you will find the best tips on how to best capture this eerie atmosphere.
The right equipment
Photographing an event like Halloween Fright Nights requires a little more from your equipment. Many of the scare zones, such as Pirates Cove and Ghostly Graveyard, are dimly lit, so using a camera with good ISO performance is extremely important.
A fast lens (with a large aperture, for example f/1.8) helps you capture more light and also provides a nice bokeh in photos of the illuminated decorations and actors. Don't forget to bring a tripod and get tickets with these fun ones amusement park discount action.
Capturing movement and action
In the new scare zone Tangled Twigs with its creaking branches and falling trees, everything revolves around movement and sound. Use a faster shutter speed to capture the dynamic character of this zone.
For a more dramatic effect, experiment with a slightly slower shutter speed to create a ghostly blur of the movement of falling leaves or smoke from the CO2 shooters in Ghostly Graveyard.
Play with light and shadow
The scare zones in walibi are packed with new light effects that you can use to create cool images. In Pirates Cove there is a video projection of a ghost captain interacting with actors. This is a great opportunity to experiment with silhouettes or capturing the interaction between the projection image and the real environment.
Make sure you use shadows to your advantage. The lighthouse and Freak Show sign in Festival of Freaks provide special points of light that you can frame actors and sets around for a dramatic effect.
Capturing details in sets and costumes
Each scare zone is filled with intriguing details worth capturing up close. The tombstones and mausoleum in Ghostly Graveyard, for example, provide perfect material for close-ups with sharp details.
Use one macro lens or a prime lens to capture the texture of the tombstones or the artistic sculptures of Eddie the Clown in Festival of Freaks.
Don't forget the actors' costumes. In Nightmares you see characters like Peter Pan and the Queen of Hearts walking around in beautiful outfits that are perfect for portrait photography.
Capturing emotion and tension
One of the most important aspects of an event like Halloween Fright Nights is capturing the emotions and excitement of both the visitors and the actors. The new Dystopia area provides a perfect opportunity to capture the fear and tension in the faces of visitors.
In these situations, try using a higher ISO to get sharp photos without your flash ruining the moment. Flash can ruin the excitement of the moment, so try to use natural light as much as possible.
