Renaissance Fair - Ohio 2024

Horse and rider jumping fence at medieval-style festival grounds.

My friend Mike invited me to go do photography at an event again, this time at the Ohio Renaissance Festival. I was excited to get out and shoot of course knowing there would be plenty of fun mini events, costumes, and the environment they've created is just so great.


But when I got to his house, he met me with a surprise - the offer to go through a few rolls of film on his Canon A-1. I had never shot film before, so I was nervous to take on the proposition to use up rolls of precious film but he insisted because he wanted to see what I could do with it.


And I had a blast.


I get the desire now. I understand why people gravitate towards it - it's not just about the results, but the experience is something else. You have to take your time, set yourself up in ways you may not have had to think of when shooting digital. You have to be conscious of how much is left in the canister, which makes the decision to take each shot much more precious. Every shot is a true commitment to the moment.


And ugh, I'm such a sucker for old mechanical pieces of tech. Feeling that shutter, the tension of the advance lever, and all of those glorious sounds... it's definitely something else that just can't be replicated with digital.


Some of the below photos were shot with my digital camera, but I wanted to maintain a single place for these photos; I've separated them into two different groups below.

Film

Figure in red medieval costume with animal skull mask sitting on wooden bench.
Artistic metal sculpture against blue sky with autumn leaves in the background.
A costumed performer doing acrobatics over a horizontal bar at a renaissance fair.
Equestrian performance with rider jumping over obstacle at renaissance fair.
Acrobatic performer balanced on large metal ring structure outdoors.
Large white medieval-style tent with crenellated edges set up at outdoor festival.
Crowded dining hall with exposed wooden beams and red white banners hanging from the ceiling during a festival.
Golden sunlight streams through autumn trees at an outdoor festival marketplace.
Vendor serving customers at rustic wooden booth during outdoor festival.
Performer balancing on top of a circular metal structure against bright blue sky.
Wooden pavilion with arched openings and benches at a renaissance festival.
An orange shade sail canopy provides sun protection against bright blue sky with autumn trees in background.
Costumed performers gather near wooden fence at renaissance fair.
Horse riders performing stunts in front of a Tudor-style building at a renaissance festival.
Medieval-costumed participant standing near white canvas tents at renaissance fair.

Digital

Medieval knight helmet with decorative antlers against blue sky.
White horse mane styled in detailed braided pattern.
Rider on white horse near red poles against blue sky.
Close-up of armored gauntlet petting a white horse.
Black and white profile shot of decorated horse with braided mane.
Close-up black and white portrait of a horse wearing bridle and tack.
Costumed performer balancing upside down on tall red pole against blue sky.
Period-costumed merchants and visitors at dusk during renaissance fair.
Black and white photo of renaissance fair attendees relaxing in park setting.