The On-Location Photographer

Wednesday, 4.18.18

This evening, at 7 pm, I checked out at Photography Workshop at the Canon Experience Center. Ian Spanier talked about putting together an on-location studio, no matter where you are at by being prepared for different scenarios and mishaps so you are able to handle any situation, effectively work under pressure, be productive, and produce the require result on time. Whether you are a freelance photographer, photojournalist, or just an explorer and wander seeking interesting and artistic scenes to photograph, these tips will help you become organized and productive.

When putting together your on-location studio, your main focus at any location is the lighting. Being prepared involves thinking ahead by knowing your needs and requirements to get the job done. Before the photo shoot date, scout the photo shoot location to familiarize with the area, lighting, space, and location. Ask detailed questions about the job, client’s needs and wants, lighting, and location. Gather all your props and tools that you will need to get the job done within the time limit. One or two lighting is usually sufficient. In indoor photo shoot, it is important to create the natural sun lighting effect.

If your photo shoot is at the gym, then show up at the gym a day or two earlier to access the situation. List the positives and negatives of this gym photo shoot venue. Some positives might include high ceilings for backlighting as well as checking out the room size. Some negatives might include padded floor might be too soft for equipment, a particular color that doesn’t look good in photographs, and you might need to do extra work in Photoshop editing.

If your photo shoot requires traveling to a place with two lights. The client wants the shoot to be in the sun, and you need to move around on this shoot. Notice the distance from subjects as well as the space of the shoot. Consider using Speedlite or reflector.

If your photo shoot is at a small apartment, then you need to consider how you will set up your equipment and move around to create different looks in such a small place. A small apartment usually has low ceilings, carpeting, and crowded with lots of items. It might be difficult to think of 3 or 4 different looks for the photo shoot that meets the client’s needs. The best solution is to seek a clean wall, preferably a white wall. Bring along a black velvet sheet –about 10 feet by 12 feet—because this item helps control reflections.

If the photo shoot is at a business office for black & white portraits, then consider shooting the photo shoot in the lobby or on the rooftop. Avoid conference room because too many things will get in your way. If the space is small, then consider shooting at an angle for distance, which might make the space appear bigger. Also consider using certain lens for your situation.

If the photo shoot is at an office studio, which usually is average size and might be hard to back up and move around, make a plan that involves using certain props, colors and shape light.

If the photo shoot is at an empty house, and this empty house has a low ceiling and you have limited time, then create a plan to work around these issues. Use 135 lens for portraits.

The 1 or 2 lighting solution is great for small spaces or rooms. Photoshop can be used for editing.

In the demonstrations with an athletic model, he displayed using 2 umbrellas for 2 lights, 2 gray screens, and metering, and silver-gold reflector. He arranged the screens, umbrellas and dish in different ways for different effects. The grid hardens light while the feather softens light.

I added some snapshot I took one morning when I was going to yoga class at the mall. The mall has occasional infomercial photo shoots. I stopped to watch for a while before I left. I also added an IMVU snapshot of my avatar in her small loft studio, which is also her photography studio. On the other side in this small studio, she has the white photo screen, lights, and cameras for indoor photography.