Capturing your convocation moment

Nick Pearce is a photographer with Dalhousie Creative Services. This will be his seventh year shooting Dalhousie convocation.

When it comes to life’s big moments, graduating from university is up there with being born and getting married.

And while you can’t really take a bad photo of a newborn baby, and you usually trust your wedding memories to a professional, taking photos at convocation sometimes becomes an afterthought: part of a hectic and confusing day with a thousand people converging on the Rebecca Cohn auditorium for a two-hour ceremony, then streaming out onto University Avenue en masse.

So from our photography team to whomever’s entrusted with capturing your graduation moment, here are a few tips to make the most of the day.

Before the ceremony

There are plenty of good photo opportunities before the ceremony even begins. The graduand has to be at the Cohn almost an hour early to get a robe and hood, and then find his or her place in line. Take this time to gather some shots of the building, the stage, the signs, the flowers for sale — anything that will add some context to the rest of the photos.

During the ceremony

Dalhousie has a very informal photography policy at convocation. Attendees will be invited to applaud and cheer as their loved ones cross the stage, as well as move to the front to take photos. Graduands will cross the stage from the right, and the degrees will be conferred by the chancellor at centre stage. It’s a tricky shot: there are no great angles to shoot from. If the photo is really important to you, there is a professional service at the Cohn that offers this shot, but you need to sign up before the ceremony.

After meeting the chancellor, the graduate proceeds left off the stage where the registrar will present the actual paper degree and is happy to pose for a quick photo. You’ll only get one chance, though: the next graduate won’t be far behind.

After the ceremony

Following the ceremony, there’s a reception in the lobby of the Arts Centre. It gets crowded, so photos here aren’t ideal. After enjoying a snack, consider moving outside onto University Avenue, as all along the street there are great photo locations.

The university sign at Robie Street: A very popular spot for taking photos, this large sign at the intersection of University and Robie is a great location for group shots or individuals. Using a telephoto (zoom) lens will help isolate the sign from the busy background, but you’ll have to take the photo from across the street. Alternately, using a wide-angle lens, close up, will add some grandeur to the sign. Depending on the time of day, take the photos with the sun behind you.

The boulevard on University Avenue: Pretty much anywhere along University Avenue where there are trees for shade is a good spot to take photos. Right in front of the Arts Centre you’ll find the sculpture “Marine Venus”: this often misinterpreted artwork offers a unique photo setting that only Dal graduates can truly appreciate.

The Killam Library: Grab a coffee and a muffin and do some fun shots posing on the colourful chairs near the Killam Library. Another option is to head into the library atrium and get a shot standing in line for a sandwich or pretending to return a big pile of library books. The hood and gown can make for some fun, goofy action shots in the library itself too; why not get some final photocopies in full academic regalia?  

The middle of the Studley Quad: There are some great photo locations to be found here, including the bench near the sundial, where the Hicks clock tower makes a great backdrop for a fun photograph of graduates jumping in the air. The well-kept flower beds also make great photo backgrounds — have your subject sit on the grass well in front of the flowers, then move back using a telephoto lens to blur the flowers out.  

The MacDonald Building: One of the oldest buildings at Dalhousie, it’s a great location for more traditional graduation photos. Use the steps and pillars creatively to add a sense of tradition and accomplishment.

The steps of the University Club: A favourite photo location of Dalhousie President Tom Traves, the steps of the University Club can be used similarly to the MacDonald Building, but also provide a great perspective of the Henry Hicks (clock tower) building in the background.

Other ideas and tips

The campus is very large. Find a spot that is unique to the graduate’s experience and take formal or fun shots there.

Be familiar with your camera settings. For example, you’ll need a flash inside the Cohn. You’ll need to know how to compensate for backlighting outside. Learn how to make use of the camera’s creative controls to enhance your photos. Many of today’s cameras have either specific scene settings, or will allow you to adjust features like aperture, white balance, and exposure compensation manually.

Explore interesting angles by getting low or high for a new perspective. For example, sitting on the ground and shooting up at the graduate with the blue sky behind looks fantastic. Throw in a fist pump or big smile and you’ve got a frame-worthy photo.

Invoke emotion. It's a happy time and your photos should represent that feeling. Don’t let the busyness of the day overwhelm. Stay positive, have fun, and enjoy every moment that you’re capturing.