I got multiple requests over PMs for a guide to events so here is what I can write down.
(1)
Shoot only what you like. Don't just walk around and shoot everything. If it's not interesting to you, don't bother with it.
This is the principle of trusting your own judgment of what is good and what is bad.
(2)
Try to fill the gaps in active shooting with video. By passively using video, you can capture the goofy or spontaneous things that you would otherwise miss. Later, you can edit the video, or create stills from it.
This is the principle of being ready for anything to happen at any time.
(3)
Especially when capturing video, avoid any temptation to cross over into the scene. Your job is to capture the scene, not to interact with it.
This is the principle of letting things develop naturally or on their own.
(4)
The commonly held beliefs are often wrong. People often live in the past, or in their own little world. One does not become an expert by studying the common-rhetorical methods or engaging in discussions, especially online.
This is the principle of action before discourse or acting without thinking.
(5)
If you cannot get it out and ready in 3-5 seconds, it is barely worth bringing along with you. Carrying around lots of elaborate gear, studio lighting equipment, reflectors, assistants, stands, etc., it only serves to slow people down with unnecessary weight.
This is the principle of avoiding unnecessary attachments.
(6)
When shooting a scheduled event, arrive on the scene 10-15 minutes early. If it is going to be crowded, stake out a good spot. Imagine the place full of people, plan out angles, lighting, and gear configuration. Sometimes the best opportunities are before the event officially starts, or after it officially ends.
This is the principle of staying ahead of the pack.
(7)
Likewise, try not to think or shoot in the way others are thinking or shooting. There are plenty of people who follow the pack and you do not want to be one of those people. When others are shooting the whole scene, shoot a single person, or two, when others are just shooting one person, shoot the whole scene, etc.
This is the principle of offering something unique.
Notes:
4) Too much of what I see online is just wrong or off in the modern setting. A good example is lighting. You are not in a studio environment, you are at an event, so why bring along all the studio gear or the studio methodology. You have to stick with what is practical for what you do and where you are.
There are basically 4 levels of lighting, 1) direct on-camera flash or flash accessory; 2) on-camera flash accessory, bounced and/or with reflectors; 3) as level 2, only with some additional slave flashes, 4) off-camera lighting only. And you can cover 95% of what you are going to encounter just fine with (1) and (2), with perhaps a little bit of postprocessing as necessary. Lighting is something to be aware of, but it's not something you need to obsess over like a lot of people do online.
5) People often focus on gear and this is what I carried along with me in the past.
1) An inexpensive DSLR, two or three generations old.
2) a) normal (50mm equiv.) prime and a b) normal range zoom lens, the best you can afford.
3) An on camera flash accessory, which can rotate to bounce and then has a diffuser and a reflector shield.
4) A digital camera for video, when necessary (some of the newer DSLRs take decent video).
5) A circular polarizer filter.
But seriously do yourself a favor and don't focus or stress out over gear. Early on I only had (1), (2a), and (4), and I still did just fine then.
The filter and the lens takes longer than 5 seconds to change, so honestly you need to get those ready before you need them. For instance if you are going outside to shoot under the blue sky, you need to put the circular polarizer on as you are in the process of walking outside.
6) This goes against some of my other rules, but still makes sense. Some places are better than others and only one person can occupy a space at a time. Often times events start before their stated time, and end after their stated time, so it is best to plan on being there early and plan on leaving late.
7) Again this goes back to following or trusting your own judgement. Many times people take a group shot simply because the group is there. You don't necessarily have to forgo the group shot, just do it quickly and then focus in on one or two people that are the most interesting to you.