Hi everyone,
I've applied to photograph a fancy black tie night time event in February (possibly my first and only paid job, whoa) Sorry if this is 101 but if i get it, I was wondering if anyone had any advice or suggestions about kit, or what I would need to think about in advance... I don't know anything about the venue, lighting or anything else yet, apart from the fact it will be very fancy! Has anyone ever used a detachable flash for something like this and are the results nice? Is a fixed length lens okay? What else do I need to know?? Eek,
thanks for any help
Izzy xx
erm can't really help at all izzy as i would have no idea - but i'm excited for you and hope you get it - and some good advice from the gifted and wise on here :)
What sort of images are you expected to produce? Will it be as guests arrive, like a "red carpet" event? If so, then you can set up in a fixed spot, and even have fixed extra lighting. I'd rent from a reputable dealer who can perhaps suggest kit and technique to you. I would go with continuous light and not strobes for something like that.
Are there specific people you absolutely must capture? The client absolutely must be specific on this point.
Will it be for a presentation? Will you be asked to produce Candid or unplanned impromptu posing shots? In cases like this, an outboard flash, being held by an assistant is probably ideal for lighting. Understand at what angle you want the light to come in on. From the left? From the right? Is flash allowed even? If so, only at certain times? You'll need a trigger on the camera and the outboard flash. I would suggest that on-camera flash is a real no-no and a sure sign of an amateur..
Are you expected to do more than just people? The room, the ambiance, the band, the stage? Will there be dancing? What is mandatory for you to capture? What is optional? What is not important? Get specific instructions from the client.
How many shots will you be asked to produce?
Go with several extra batteries. Your Sony has limited battery life, about 350 shots if I remember, and if you are using flash triggers, your camera does not have a built in flash to use as a trigger, that will be even less. If you have a portable flash/strobe, make sure you have adequate batteries for those too. And please don't run out of high capacity SD cards! Watch the "shots left" counter and don't run dry at the most important times. :)
If you have ability to be mobile, move in on, or back from, the subject, something like an 80mm prime would be fine. Shorter focal length on your Full Frame camera I would find awkward. Others might prefer something shorter, like a 50, but I wouldn't. If you have limited mobility or access, a high quality zoom, f/2.8 70-200 would appear to be essential. You should be able to rent these for the event, but do try them out first to get familiar with their handling. Such a zoom will typically be a lot heavier and more bulky than your usual "every day" kit.
Would you consider renting a newer, more advanced Sony, like the a7RII? It will have far better low light performance. Shoot RAW + jpeg, jpegs are useful for quick show and tell. Be especially careful about digital noise, the main reason I suggest a rental of a top-of-the line camera, but one you would still be familiar with. While correct white balance in the camera is not terribly important if you are processing from RAW, It is essential for quick jpegs that you might want to show immediately. I'd trust the camera's Auto White Balance for that.
Will you be expected to process/develop/edit/correct your shots? If so, and I am sure for a high class event you will, how many? Typically this would be a quick galley sheet of 50-100 that you would select, and then have clients select a fixed number from that for completing. Will they want final prints, and that can get very expensive quickly, or just the final digital images? In what format? At what size? On what media? Who will provide the media? You or the client? Do you retain the copyright or does it pass? Are any subject release letters necessary?
Make sure you have your copyright and contact information in the exif data. You set this in the camera. I would avoid visible watermarks or other "edvertising."
You must be sure to see the venue under the lighting conditions you will experience at least a week before the event so you can think about supplementing any kit you have with rentals. If there are restrictions on lighting, use of flash, then bring those up well in advance of the event and set expectations accordingly.
@frankhymus Frank this is the most wonderful, comprehensive, helpful comment ever - thank you so SO much!! Going to read it all properly and digest it and get back to you later, thank you a million for your suggestions and thoughtful guidance here!
@frankhymus Frank, this is a wonderful example of the spirit of 365 project - nowhere else on the 'net would you find someone giving such selfless, unbiased advice in such detail... and spot on too. Take a plaudit - you deserve it.
@vignouse You are very kind. I just want folks to learn from my own trial and error. Much of this advice you will see in books dedicated to "going pro" but it is, after all, basically, common sense, and really about the business of photography. More than that, a general business rule "Delve into what your client really wants." Often, they really don't know unless you push them. So push it so that no one will be unpleasantly surprised in the long run outcome.
Others have helped me out no end, I hope I can help others from making the same mistakes I have over a number of years.
@izzyromilly Please let me know if I can add anything to what you might want to know about this stuff. My opinion entirely of course, and others might disagree. But I have seen a few things or so....
@frankhymus I truly appreciate your wonderful post about this type of thing. I will be printing out this post and posting on my wall for future reference.
@vignouse said this 365 community is the most helpful and supportive group of creative people I have every been lucky enough to be associated with.
Adding to what Frank has said very well. How high is the ceiling? If it is more than 10 feet it is too high to bounce flash and get results. Another consideration if you choose to use flash gun is to put a soft box over the the flash. Using fill flash will give you better results than full flash. You can control the intensity of light with full flash. You may want to look at the Sony 32 flash. It is small enough with adjustment ability that it will complement your camera.
@frankhymus Frank, this is brilliant. So thorough and fully informative. I read it with considerable interest (not that anyone is going to pay me for my hobby). Really wonderful information. Thank you! As always, such a pleasure to hang out here. :)
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Are there specific people you absolutely must capture? The client absolutely must be specific on this point.
Will it be for a presentation? Will you be asked to produce Candid or unplanned impromptu posing shots? In cases like this, an outboard flash, being held by an assistant is probably ideal for lighting. Understand at what angle you want the light to come in on. From the left? From the right? Is flash allowed even? If so, only at certain times? You'll need a trigger on the camera and the outboard flash. I would suggest that on-camera flash is a real no-no and a sure sign of an amateur..
Are you expected to do more than just people? The room, the ambiance, the band, the stage? Will there be dancing? What is mandatory for you to capture? What is optional? What is not important? Get specific instructions from the client.
How many shots will you be asked to produce?
Go with several extra batteries. Your Sony has limited battery life, about 350 shots if I remember, and if you are using flash triggers, your camera does not have a built in flash to use as a trigger, that will be even less. If you have a portable flash/strobe, make sure you have adequate batteries for those too. And please don't run out of high capacity SD cards! Watch the "shots left" counter and don't run dry at the most important times. :)
If you have ability to be mobile, move in on, or back from, the subject, something like an 80mm prime would be fine. Shorter focal length on your Full Frame camera I would find awkward. Others might prefer something shorter, like a 50, but I wouldn't. If you have limited mobility or access, a high quality zoom, f/2.8 70-200 would appear to be essential. You should be able to rent these for the event, but do try them out first to get familiar with their handling. Such a zoom will typically be a lot heavier and more bulky than your usual "every day" kit.
Would you consider renting a newer, more advanced Sony, like the a7RII? It will have far better low light performance. Shoot RAW + jpeg, jpegs are useful for quick show and tell. Be especially careful about digital noise, the main reason I suggest a rental of a top-of-the line camera, but one you would still be familiar with. While correct white balance in the camera is not terribly important if you are processing from RAW, It is essential for quick jpegs that you might want to show immediately. I'd trust the camera's Auto White Balance for that.
Will you be expected to process/develop/edit/correct your shots? If so, and I am sure for a high class event you will, how many? Typically this would be a quick galley sheet of 50-100 that you would select, and then have clients select a fixed number from that for completing. Will they want final prints, and that can get very expensive quickly, or just the final digital images? In what format? At what size? On what media? Who will provide the media? You or the client? Do you retain the copyright or does it pass? Are any subject release letters necessary?
Make sure you have your copyright and contact information in the exif data. You set this in the camera. I would avoid visible watermarks or other "edvertising."
You must be sure to see the venue under the lighting conditions you will experience at least a week before the event so you can think about supplementing any kit you have with rentals. If there are restrictions on lighting, use of flash, then bring those up well in advance of the event and set expectations accordingly.
Good luck!
Others have helped me out no end, I hope I can help others from making the same mistakes I have over a number of years.
@vignouse said this 365 community is the most helpful and supportive group of creative people I have every been lucky enough to be associated with.
@izzyromilly Good luck and have fun.