Trying to keep on top of both websites whether its new imagery or blogs is quite hard in this day and age , and that other thing called social media. Sometimes writing blogs can be a nightmare because you need good or great content to fill it , and also not ramble which I do often. Aside from the normal rants I do think Work Ethic is an issue which can be universal across any platform of daily tasks or your job. Now I do work , I do use that term loosely as I enjoy taking pictures / making art which ever you prefer to gloss the terminology with. So I lucky enough to call fun , work make of that what you will. Since going freelance from my old employee my Work ethic has not changed aside from I am the boss and I employ myself. So the buck starts with me and stops with me. All aspects of my work starts with a brief and ends up in a frame depicting the clients idea. This does not always translate due to weather , light, location and people. So what do I do to make a piece work.
Discussion is paramount and also stating evidence from other work how a final image may look and feel. A messy office space will still look messy irrespective of the edit per say . Maybe that’s the look they are going for? If not then you need to advise , this is based on who you are shooting and what the media is intended for. So for instance if you are shooting a Painter in their studio , the slightly lived in and messy space would work because us creatives are inherently a throw away bunch. I am joking , but it does apply to some and others it doesn’t . You get where I’m coming from though. You gather this information before and on the day and gauge what is the best way forward. Branding and design and older work should direct you to your final point of pressing the button and getting the frame. This being said it is paramount you show work as you go along to make sure you capture what they envisage in their head thus pushing you forward to the next section of your shoot. Now some clients give you free range and just state “just make it look great” again all of the above applies and the work should not be better or worse but still have structure . Its not a turn up and shoot although I have had to do that in the past on numerous occasions. There is set ways and methods to shoot certain things but also you can risk frames on new perspectives and concepts (that’s how we learn).
Now my blogs posts do ramble but I don’t want to get technical about lighting and editing as the post would be a chore to read to be honest, and it can be discussed on a one to one basis with anyone who cares to listen (don’t contact me about this unless you want a monologue). From the picture to the final result when working apart from composition and what is the focus of the image my main concerns are technical. Firstly is it in focus? Might get away with Bob in the middle slightly soft although he is the MD and the centre of the frame?. Well yes and no because most people may not notice but it only takes one client to book you for a day then find the main shot is slightly blurry to pick you up on your error. It could be critical to a campaign or billboard and so on. First rule of building work measure twice cut once? ring any bells? Focus and focus again, check through the view finder then press the button. Don’t get me wrong sometimes it works based on what you need to capture but if its in focus you can blur it later if need be. You cant unblur a photo to make it crisp.
Its to dark and my camera throws out to much grain but i forgot my tripod and besides I am shooting action shots? That’s your problem I’m afraid , always bring to much gear if unsure. If its natural light read above from the top (discussion prior to shooting “the room is dark do you want flash or are you happy with grainy images?) Also most cameras these days can cope better and your edit should demonstrate the final image as being the best it can be within the circumstances. Don’t be afraid of high ISO, balance the settings to eliminate as much error as possible. If shooting people in dark spaces then direct don’t be worried to ask “can you stand still and hold this binder” you are there for a reason and your skill set should show this on site at all times. Questions on the day are better than complaint emails later on. If I shoot something or get directed to take a picture which I feel will not work , then I demonstrate it and correct or make a viable option for the client. That old saying “no such word as can’t” is true , most clients have dead lines and images are critical to a website or a launch. Getting everything delivered and on point is paramount , you never go back and blame the weather.
If your being paid then the person believes in the work that you output is going to be the same across any image you cover off. You are the expert on site and you have the answers and if you don’t then be honest and critique you and your work. This is just a snippet of structure and soft rules I follow although it is like muscle memory to me now.
We love lists so I compiled a small list of needs on any jobs
Kit
Camera, lens , memory cards (3-4), batteries 2-3 per camera, chargers for batteries
lens buy what you can afford I only shoot with primes but zooms are fine.
I use GFX50s 23mm, 45mm, 63mm, 110m, Fuji H1 23mm, 90mm
Flash Gun Hahnel 600rt awesome bit of kit 600 flashes on full per charge and 1500 on lowest
Biggest bit of advice if your a budding photographer or someone who is established is know your camera. Understand its capabilities and threshold , don’t be lazy change the lens to get a look or desired effect. Invest in your work and kit, I bought a wide lens 23mm for my GFX for interior shots only but my work needed it and now it makes my job ten times easier. Before I stitched images and had to think of other ways to get what I needed. Be realistic with your skill and your price should depict your output. Honesty is the best policy with clients , if you get a job which is above what you normally do just tell them. If you can compose an image you can nearly shoot anything so its about making the customer aware of how you think it should be done. Either way you will get the work or not but you will have a repeat customer because they trust you. Go out and get new work in your portfolio which stretches your abilities in your own time. Nothing like being stale , you chose this because you want to be innovative? Not just take pretty pictures of people or objects. If it becomes a job or boring then question everything and your motives, the most passionate people in this world make great companies and art why would you not want to be part of this movement.
Cave paintings redefined culture and story telling and documented history, Imagine if they had decided rubbing crushed stones and dyes on a wall was child like and not worth bothering with. Your biggest asset is you and your work ethic is immensely linked to who you will meet and bond with.
Adam