photo assignment - advice? tips?

[georgeaye]

Hi there folks

Many months ago, I worked on a internal project for my company to create, write and photograph a visual guide book for the city of Chicago, with about 65 locations featured. We made a very short print run for our office and this 'proof of concept' has now been shown to a publisher. The concept was a hit! An example from the book is below.

I've been asked to again shoot the photography but this time in two new cities. And because this is no longer an 'internal project', but for reals, I'm a little freaked out. Instead of taking about 75% of the photos like last time, I'm now shooting all of it.

There will probably be about 50 locations in each city and I have about 1.5 weeks in each place back to back. The breakdown of shots is like this:

Interior shots of retail stores (with full access given)
Detail shots of parts of the stores, including some portraits of the patrons and staff.
Exteriors of store fronts
Interiors of many darkly lit bars and clubs.
On the street portraits
Landscapes shots of cultural points of interest

With those parameters and some background out of the way my long winded question is this:

How would you prepare for such an assignment and what kit would you bring?

I'm looking for lens suggestions, tips, advice, things to remember. I don't know at this point what budget, if any, I will have. (I think I will need a tripod for instance).

I will be taking:
Epson RD-1 and Summicron 50 f2
Nikon D70 and 35 f2 (and on loan, a Nikkor 12-24 f4)
Laptop with Lightroom and PS CS2.

Much thanks in advance.

George

 

[mwooten]

George,
This sounds like a fun assignment. I've added a cv 28mm Ultron to my RD1s kit. It works well with both interior/exterior building shots, and people shots. Although this overlaps with your D70 - Nikkor 12-24, the RD1/Ultron setup allows for longer handheld exposures.

Also, remember to bring several extra batteries.

Take care,
Michael

 

[RML]

You better start thinking about how you're going to fit all those places in 10 days. Travelling around takes time. You have to have permissions beforehand. Prepare everything in advance. You're gear is really your last worry, not your first.

 

[woodphoto]

I would add a 70-200 f2.8 as away to isolate subjects and give great background blur and for low light stuations.

Also add A speedlight with a off shoe adapter to be sure you always have full spectrum light for any portraits or products.

Small tripod (portraits)

If i think of any thing else I will add more later.....

 

[georgeaye]

thanks for your suggestions so far.

The timing and travel needed to get to all these places is still a worry to me. But in my favour will be the fact that I should have permissions to shoot in these stores etc.

As far as a tripod goes, would anyone use a monopod over a tripod? I'm looking for a light, portable kit.

 

[Doug]

New gear on a new project away from "home" territory, hmm.... How about a conservative approach by using your gear that's proven useful and reliable already? If there's a special need different from one you've faced before, and not easily met with your existing gear, then you might consider an additional item... At least I think this is the way I'd prefer to go.

 

[Phil_Hawkes]

thanks for your suggestions so far.

The timing and travel needed to get to all these places is still a worry to me. But in my favour will be the fact that I should have permissions to shoot in these stores etc.

As far as a tripod goes, would anyone use a monopod over a tripod? I'm looking for a light, portable kit.

I would probably go for a monopod over a tripod for this kind of assignment. A monopod is not only lighter, it is also easier/faster to set-up/pull-down, less threatening and more useful in tight situations due to the small "footprint". You might get even away with using a monopod in dark clubs if you are discreet.

I would also support Doug's suggestion of using mostly equipment that you are familiar with.

Best luck, Phil

 

[georgeaye]

Great suggestions and advice. A monopod sounds great to me and I am conscious of it being all too conspicuous and heavy to lug around otherwise.

As far as my kit goes now, I'm pretty familiar with my nikon and the normal lens. the wide nikkor is reasonaly unfamilar ground. Usually my biggest issue is working out how to correct for all the crazy perspective in post. In fact, does anyone have much advice on correcting super wide angle images?

As for the RF, it's meant as a back up for my Nikon for the interiors, but then it'll switch to my primary for all the street work. For that, I think I might just get a 'normal' 35mm or 40mm as the 50mm Summi can feel pretty long.

Thanks for your help so far guys!

g

 

[IGMeanwell]

There is a few ways in Photoshop to correct distortion

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Image_Techniques/Barrel_Distortion_Correction_01.htm

If you have Adobe Lightroom or Capture NX ... both programs have a distortion correction option built right into the program ... no need for plugins

 

[OurManInTangier]

I'd suggest you be very careful with the 12-24mm, you can certainly correct perspective using PS CS2 but its alot of extra processing work for a, potentially, large number of images. It's also not capable of fully correcting the perspective without taking a hit on other apsects of the image - i.e you may have to significantly crop your image etc etc. You may want to use it with its converging lines as an asset rather than something you have to battle - though of course its a case of needs must at times.

I agree with taking the kit that you feel most comfortable with but you will need to 'fill' some areas. A speedlight is, for me, an essential piece of assignment kit. I rarely use mine but when I do its usually because there is little other option or it is the best solution for a problem - which frequently happens - its also small and light so makes little difference. A 70-200mm f/2.8 has been suggested and though this can be a pain to carry around I would agree it should be included. It's great for portraits in places with very messy backgrounds and will give you the extra pulling power you may well find you need via necessity.

As for tripod or monopod - personally I'd go for a tripod. My old Manfrotto goes everywhere with me on assignment and as you aren't trekking through mountainous jungle it may be wise to take one. You can always leave it in the hotel until it's needed. Which brings me onto the schedule...probably the thing I find hardest is scheduling my jobs and being honest with myself about the time needed to complete each section.

Schedule your work with honesty, give yourself more time to cover the aspects of the assignment you are least comfortable with or find the least enjoyable if need be. With a decent idea of what you're doing and when you can cherry pick your equipment for that days/nights mini assignment leaving the rest of your gear securely ( hopefully ) at the hotel/base camp/ office or whatever.

I hope you've also got all necessary admin done before you set off, everything from relevant permissions to contact numbers and addresses. Everything completed beforehand will help during the assignment as something will happen to throw a spanner in the works, hopefully thats when you're prepared.

Other than that it sounds like you've got an interesting project that will keep you VERY busy and hopefully very happy for a while. I hope you get everything covered to your ( and your companies ) satisfaction. Let us know how you got on.

Best of luck and enjoy!

 

[emraphoto]

the kit

the kit

the kit suggestions have been covered it seems...
what i would do is a brief internet search and check out standard release forms. run a bunch off for what seems like the appropriate situations. especailly stores. as well maybe try to pick out the stores, bars, restaurants in advance... say whilst you are travelling. find contacts for management. i have spent a few years shooting stores, bars, restaurants etc. and knowing who to talk to in advance will save you A LOT of time and frustration.
cheers
john