Well well well – just when you thought it was safe – I’m baaaack! So how have you all been? Man it’s been a while huh?
I’m finally getting the chance to come up for air for the first time in almost four months; and what a four months it’s been. A dozen weddings, a couple of dozen commercial shoots (where we were hired to photograph anything and everything from multi-million dollar properties to swimwear models on the beach to wood panel flooring) all topped off with a liberal serving of portrait and portfolio shoots. Never a dull moment.
In fact if I had to sum up this last four months with a single word, it would be “diversity”. This word is one that a lot of photographers are trying to avoid recently, and some at great length. There is good theory behind this aversion. That being, your clients need to know that you specialise in a particular genre of photography. This is all well and good, but it can be limiting at the same time.
Yeah sure, let your clients know that you will only pick up your camera if there is a newborn baby involved, or you will only make yourself available to shoot weddings. But is this really the kind of message you want to be pushing – to everyone? I mean at the end of the day, it’s all just photography right? Yes, there are different nuances that only work in one situation or another, but as best as I can figure these nuances come down to the way you interact with the client or subject. But as for the photography; the exact rules apply from one situation to another. Unless you are a superhero the laws of light and physics do not really differentiate between a plank of wood or a blushing bride.
“So what’s the key then huh?” I can hear you asking. Again, as best as I can figure it – the key to the whole shebang is knowing how to get the end result before you take the first shot. Otherwise known as know your gear inside-out, especially your camera. And know your technique even better.
I’ve had the benefit of seeing this first hand recently by way of the fact that I have had more new assistants working with me, all with varying degrees of confidence and ability. The most important thing I tell them is that when they are thinking about the shot they are trying to get, you need to know, well, how to get there. This directly translates to knowing how to drive your camera to steer the image in the direction that you want it to go.
Take a look at your camera. Do you know what all, I mean all the buttons, dials, knobs and control wheels do? And even if you do, how often do you use them? Know how to drive your camera and you will be ok. But if you don’t know how to, how will you be able to respond to a clients wishes or artistic direction?
Ok, that’s enough of a rant for me for now. Gotta ease back into these things you know... The more open minded of you out there will realise that I am being slightly facetious and maybe just a little bit general here but in essence I stand by my thoughts.
Keep shooting what you love and keep your eye out for more blog posts coming to a computer monitor near you.
