Practical Professional Advice On Test Digital Camera
Some techniques you may find useful when shooting events on test digital camera include:
- Shoot both traditional shots and creative variations. By and large, it’s very hard for people to tell you what they like but easy to say what they don’t like. Giving lots of variety to your mix of shots and not tons of images from the same point of view gives them something to not like, but hopefully, you’ve satisfied the client’s expectations with your large repertoire of camera angles.
- Ensure that you’re on the same page as the client/art director. In some cases, art directors use precious few words to describe their vision and expectations for the assignment, especially if you’re filling in for someone or shooting with them for the first time. They want to see what you can do. You can wow them by asking as many specific questions as possible and restate the answers in your own words to ensure that your vision syncs with
theirs.
- Have backup gear. Second chances are rare when shooting many types of events, so if the battery dies or if a lens suddenly refuses to focus, you need to be able to quickly switch to a backup camera and lens to continue shooting without missing a beat.
- Do your homework. Know the key participants, know the rules of the game, know the schedule of events, know if the event is being videotaped and how that affects your ability to move around the stage or venue, know if any areas of the venue are off-limits to photographers, know where the best action might happen, and, of course, stake out a shooting area early.
- Know the 5D Mark II. Before you begin shooting events on test digital camera such as low-light music concerts, theatrical productions, and so on, shoot images on the 5D Mark II at high ISO settings and then check the images at the sizes that the client might request. Evaluate the tests for digital noise and grain levels that become more evident at large print sizes. This gives you a yardstick for the highest ISO settings that you can use and get good prints.
Smaller prints may look better at higher ISOs, but you want to be careful and certain. At ISO 6400, 8 X 10 smaller prints are appropriate for a test digital camera.
- Negotiate model releases. Some companies routinely require that everyone who appears on the stage sign model releases prior to the event, but others do not. In the latter case, be sure that you discuss model releases with the art director for assigned event shooting and with the participants for other events.
Also, check with event organizers on whether work permits, proof of insurance, and registration are required. You can find test digital camera model release forms on the Web or you can hire a business or copyright attorney to create one.
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