Suddenly got jobs

JMitchell · 23-04-2008, 17:27

I've suddenly ended up with 2 photography jobs within the space of about a week. I'm shooting a school concert on the 1st May, for which thankfully the person doing / setting up the lighting is one of my best friends, and he is also organising, and playing in, the concert, so I shouldn't have any poor lighting issues.
Then today I was asked if I could do the year 11 full year portrait. Massive group portraits is something I've never done before, so not too sure about that, but it should be a good experience, and most of the teachers don't know a bad photo when they see it anyway, so even if it's not the best, it will only be me that's disappointed.

Should be interesting, considering I've also got the small matter of AS exams very soon as well

**Dabhand16** · 23-04-2008, 17:34

Great stuff Jack. At least the group photo ought to be with a static subject! One less thing to worry about.

silkstone · 23-04-2008, 17:45

Well done Jack.

From distant memories of my school photos circa 1960-something, it's just about impossible to get a shot where someone isn't pulling a face or making an inappropriate gesture. So I guess the idea is to take several and then do a bit of cutting and pasting.

JMitchell · 23-04-2008, 17:52

LOL might have to. When my photography teacher took the one of our year 11, he used a flash (big Metz one). It was the middle of the day, but I'm guessing this was for fill. Should I do this? I'm slightly worried about getting harsh results

WOODY · 23-04-2008, 18:06

NICE ONE JACK, WELL DONE.

YOU MENTIONED A METZ FLASH, THE FIRST METZ FLASH I HAD, HAD A HUGE GREAT
BATTERY PACK WITH A SHOULDER STRAP, VERY CUMBERSOME ALWAYS GETTING IN THE WAY, ALSO HIT A FEW PEOPLE ROUND THE HEAD WITH IT( BY ACCIDENT)

**Dabhand16** · 23-04-2008, 18:09

Depending how big the group will be, one flash might not give a wide enough coverage. Might be better to arrange them deeper and narrower - back row standing on benches - next row standing on floor/ground - next row sitting on benches - front row sitting on floor/ground, or use two flashguns.

If you are going to use a flash, get hold of it well in advance and check the effective range and guide number. You can have a practice using half a dozen volunteers - one in each corner and two in the middle (front row and back row). Then you will see what its coverage is.

JMitchell · 23-04-2008, 18:12

Right. Well the group will be about 270

, so perhaps it wont cover them all

**Dabhand16** · 23-04-2008, 18:31

Right. Inside or outside? If outside, what is plan 'B' in the event of rain? If inside are there any floodlights that can be used - from a stage, for instance?

The earlier advice about taking several shots is good. You will be able to change the ones pulling faces etc.

JMitchell · 23-04-2008, 19:03

Outside if it's the same as the one we had done. I think the plan b will be shoot on another day, because they like it to be right, not bodged if you see what I mean. I will of course take several shots, but I'm slightly nervous at ordering around 270 people who are only 1 year younger than me

P-E · 23-04-2008, 19:07

Well done Jack £££££££

JMitchell · 23-04-2008, 19:11

Hahaha I'll be lucky. Definitely no money in the gig, and probably not any in the group shot either, still at 'favours' level at the moment, although I got £30 in Jessops vouchers for doing a presentation evening a while ago....

P-E · 23-04-2008, 19:13

You will gain valuable experience Jack

JMitchell · 23-04-2008, 19:31

Yup I know. On the other hand, I think I need to think about at what point I decide that I have had enough 'gaining experience', and need to start thinking about actually gaining something more from my photography. Obviously this is more difficult when doing it for my own school, because they have no right (and technically aren't allowed) to employ / pay me for any of the services I provide....

**Dabhand16** · 23-04-2008, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Outside if it's the same as the one we had done. I think the plan b will be shoot on another day, because they like it to be right, not bodged if you see what I mean. I will of course take several shots, but I'm slightly nervous at ordering around 270 people who are only 1 year younger than me

Get a staff member to act as your assistant

23-04-2008, 17:27	#1 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,507	Suddenly got jobs I've suddenly ended up with 2 photography jobs within the space of about a week. I'm shooting a school concert on the 1st May, for which thankfully the person doing / setting up the lighting is one of my best friends, and he is also organising, and playing in, the concert, so I shouldn't have any poor lighting issues. Then today I was asked if I could do the year 11 full year portrait. Massive group portraits is something I've never done before, so not too sure about that, but it should be a good experience, and most of the teachers don't know a bad photo when they see it anyway, so even if it's not the best, it will only be me that's disappointed. Should be interesting, considering I've also got the small matter of AS exams very soon as well __________________ Jack Mitchell "We accept the reality with which we are presented" - - New website, online, but still in progress!

23-04-2008, 17:34	#2 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,918	Re: Suddenly got jobs Great stuff Jack. At least the group photo ought to be with a static subject! One less thing to worry about.

23-04-2008, 17:45	#3 (permalink)
silkstone Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Silkstone Common, Yorkshire, UK Posts: 3,383	Re: Suddenly got jobs Well done Jack. From distant memories of my school photos circa 1960-something, it's just about impossible to get a shot where someone isn't pulling a face or making an inappropriate gesture. So I guess the idea is to take several and then do a bit of cutting and pasting.

23-04-2008, 17:52	#4 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,507	Re: Suddenly got jobs LOL might have to. When my photography teacher took the one of our year 11, he used a flash (big Metz one). It was the middle of the day, but I'm guessing this was for fill. Should I do this? I'm slightly worried about getting harsh results

23-04-2008, 18:06	#5 (permalink)
WOODY PLEASE NOTE I TYPE USING CAPITALS DUE TO A DISABILTY THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ORPINGTON KENT Posts: 1,172	Re: Suddenly got jobs NICE ONE JACK, WELL DONE. YOU MENTIONED A METZ FLASH, THE FIRST METZ FLASH I HAD, HAD A HUGE GREAT BATTERY PACK WITH A SHOULDER STRAP, VERY CUMBERSOME ALWAYS GETTING IN THE WAY, ALSO HIT A FEW PEOPLE ROUND THE HEAD WITH IT( BY ACCIDENT)

23-04-2008, 18:09	#6 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,918	Re: Suddenly got jobs Depending how big the group will be, one flash might not give a wide enough coverage. Might be better to arrange them deeper and narrower - back row standing on benches - next row standing on floor/ground - next row sitting on benches - front row sitting on floor/ground, or use two flashguns. If you are going to use a flash, get hold of it well in advance and check the effective range and guide number. You can have a practice using half a dozen volunteers - one in each corner and two in the middle (front row and back row). Then you will see what its coverage is. __________________ Graham

23-04-2008, 18:12	#7 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,507	Re: Suddenly got jobs Right. Well the group will be about 270 , so perhaps it wont cover them all

23-04-2008, 18:31	#8 (permalink)
Dabhand16 Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dunstable Bedfordshire UK Posts: 8,918	Re: Suddenly got jobs Right. Inside or outside? If outside, what is plan 'B' in the event of rain? If inside are there any floodlights that can be used - from a stage, for instance? The earlier advice about taking several shots is good. You will be able to change the ones pulling faces etc.

23-04-2008, 19:03	#9 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,507	Re: Suddenly got jobs Outside if it's the same as the one we had done. I think the plan b will be shoot on another day, because they like it to be right, not bodged if you see what I mean. I will of course take several shots, but I'm slightly nervous at ordering around 270 people who are only 1 year younger than me

23-04-2008, 19:07	#10 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,496	Re: Suddenly got jobs Well done Jack £££££££

23-04-2008, 19:11	#11 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,507	Re: Suddenly got jobs Hahaha I'll be lucky. Definitely no money in the gig, and probably not any in the group shot either, still at 'favours' level at the moment, although I got £30 in Jessops vouchers for doing a presentation evening a while ago....

23-04-2008, 19:13	#12 (permalink)
P-E Loves the place Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sheffield, S.Yorkshire UK Posts: 7,496	Re: Suddenly got jobs You will gain valuable experience Jack

23-04-2008, 19:31	#13 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,507	Re: Suddenly got jobs Yup I know. On the other hand, I think I need to think about at what point I decide that I have had enough 'gaining experience', and need to start thinking about actually gaining something more from my photography. Obviously this is more difficult when doing it for my own school, because they have no right (and technically aren't allowed) to employ / pay me for any of the services I provide....