This year I had the delightful experience of playing “parade paparazzo with a purpose”.  I want to share my 6 key photography tips that I found helpful for taking great closeup pictures and also capturing more scenic backgrounds of this huge event.  I actually knew someone in one of the bands participating in the Basel Tattoo – an annual international military musical event held in Basel, Switzerland.  I wanted to be sure I was able to capture a few good pictures for family members back home in the US.  Many have never been to Basel so the challenge was to not only photograph their loved ones but also give them a few cultural photographic insights.  

Insider’s Word to the Wise

Over the past 10 years the Basel Tattoo military event has become very popular.  It is now the world’ s second largest military tattoo after Edinburgh, Scotland.  Over 9 days multiple evening performances are given with bands participating from around the world.  It is considered a great honour to participate in this event and the Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band from Connecticut, US was here for their second visit.

One Saturday afternoon is also set aside for these international groups to participate in the highly popular parade through town.  With over 500 volunteers and  100,000 spectators watching this parade, it is a challenge to take pictures of the groups and especially difficult when trying to get a close-up of any individual.  As a family friend’s son was playing in the Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band from Connecticut, US I decided to photograph some of their parade activities.

Being an insider living in Basel I hope you will find these tips beneficial as well.  Happy Photographing your next event as these tips will work for any parade you attend.

Tattoo Tip#1 – Do your Homework

Before even attending the parade go on-line and find out exactly where it begins.  If you are unsure google the location and make sure you know how to get to this starting point. Reminder: sometimes the trams are diverted early for the upcoming parade so you should also know how to get to the starting point by walking.

Note: if you are trying to take pictures of a particular group/person,  google “Basel Tattoo Parade Lineup 2017” to find the list of bands by marching order – this is very helpful to know whether you should be looking for them at the beginning, middle or end of the parade line.

Tattoo Tip#2 – Go Early…Yes Even Earlier Than That!

This year the parade began at 14:00 / 2:00 p.m with the staging area at Marktplatz in front of the Münster (Cathedral) and along Rittergasse in the direction of the Kunstmuseum. It was this area that band members were patiently standing around waiting, talking, with some performing last minute musical warmups. The parade route would officially begin later as they assembled into line formation and turned off onto the side street named Bäumleing.

Why go early?   Because it is a great opportunity to get up close and personal to take photos of individuals and groups and also speak with them!  Your background for these pictures will also be very scenic with some of Basel’s oldest and interesting buildings.  Additionally there are not many parade watchers in these areas as they have lined up further along the official parade route all struggling and pushing to be in the front row…..

Go even earlier and you will see many arriving with their mates.  This also takes the stress out of trying to take the perfect picture as you will have time to wander around and setup a truly memorable picture or two or more!

Tattoo Tip#3 –  Check Out Who is Ahead

If you are trying to take pictures of a particular group remember to determine which group is ahead of your band.  This helps later on when you are standing on tippy toes  amongst the masses of spectators on the bridge trying to determine just “where are they now?!” only to have them slip past you.  Save yourself the frustration of missing a photo opportunity by having a little forewarning. I was lucky as there was an old ambulance truck in front of my band.

Tattoo Tip#4 – Look for the Details

It is always nice to stand back and take “the big picture” of the entire band, spectators and some back ground to reflect where you are, etc.   However this time also focus in on some of the details that makes this parade uniquely special for you. Look for items or outfits that intrigue you.  This parade is more than just kilts and bagpipes.  The details on each band’s outfits are amazing. Here are several of my examples.  It will be up to you next year to find yours!

 

Tattoo Tip#5 – Bypass Part of the Parade Route

Once the parade started and “my band ” (Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band) marched off around the corner I returned  to the open area in front of the Basel Münster (Cathedral), again having a pretty clear view along the way for taking more picture of various bands now getting ready to march.

As I did not want to get caught up in the massive crowds of onlookers – I did bypass the option to take pictures along the official parade route in front of the scenic Rathaus (you can’t be everywhere!) Instead from Münsterplatz I followed Augustinergasse street walking past the Naturhistorisches Museum (save that visit for another day) and trotted down the hill until I came to the Mittelbrücke bridge.  I was able to worm my way through the crowds onto the bridge  and position myself  just in time for “my band” to march by! From then on I walked along the Kleinbasel route taking a picture here or there.  To be honest on this side of the river the parade route is not as scenic with more modern-looking buildings.  On a positive note there are less people at this end so it is easier to get closeups of band members.

Tattoo Tip#6 – Stop on Your Way Down

If you have time- stop almost at the end of Augustinerstrasse on your way down to the Mittlebrücke (middle bridge) and take a few photos of the bridge in the distance.  This is an excellent high vantage point to get an overview of the parade marching over the bridge as well the “castle looking” Kaserne building in the background.  This Kaserne (former army barracks) is the Tattoo arena where later in the evening the actual tattoo events take place.   There was no time to stop because the Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band was right at the beginning of the parade and I wanted to be sure I was on the bridge when they marched by.  As you can see I was able to return later to a take this picture.

Lessons Learned

• I did not follow my advice Tip#2 – next year I plan to get there even earlier to allow myself plenty of time to spot and setup more perfect pictures.
• It is important to wear comfortable shoes/hiking boots.  You will be walking on cobble stone streets part of the way.
• Due to the crowds be careful what you put in your rucksack / backpack – people will be bumping up against you.  You do not want to return missing your wallet. This reminder applies to any city in any country. Always be careful what you stuff in your back pack, especially when taking pictures in large crowds as most likely your focus is setting up your next great picture and not who is immediately behind you!  I carry a very small bag which hangs on my shoulder across the front of me. This bag has a zippered pocket inside and this is where I put money, tram pass and fill the main section with tissues and other less important items. With the overall bag zipped up it now becomes much more difficult to find the inside zipper with your valuables.

Travel Tips

• Basel Tattoo – Find out more about this event taking place from 19-29th July 2017.
• Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band Learn more about this Connecticut, USA group!
• Naturhistorisches Museum Visit this museum  just down the street from the Basel Münster.
• Basel Münster  A tour inside this Cathedral is well worth it.  Great views from the tower above.