Wrapping up a week long project, "How I attack a photo assignment"

Involving the creation of 60 dvd's to distribute to each graduate of the 2011 LMC RN program. The dvd's contained 150+ pictures of the graduation event consisting of the pinning ceremony with the graduates and their families.

Preparation for Event:

Charging batteries for camera and flash

Cleaning both lenses

Checking camera sensor for dust

Format memory cards

Equipment List:

Canon 5dmrk2 (main)

-Battery (x2)

Canon 30d (Backup)

-Battery

External Flash 580 exII

Canon 70-300is (DO Glass)

Canon 16-35 (L-Series)

8GB CF Memory Card (x4)

Rechargeable AA Battery (x4)

Backup AA Battery (x4)

Microfiber cleaning cloth

Lens Cleaning Solution

Once On Location: Try to get in to see the lighting situation as early as possible. Check ISO sensitivity settings. Determine a good shutter speed so your subject in the location light doesn't become blurry. In this case the location was a local theater with stage lighting. Ask around and find out what lighting changes the producers are planning, choreography, etc. Like a good athlete picture the event in your mind and try and think of how to overcome any problems you foresee. Scan the location and try a few different shooting positions. Even though you may think one place is best for the shoot. Try more than one for the likely possibility that your subjects may do something spontaneous and unpredictable with which you as the photographer must adapt to those unforeseen changes. Remember your goal is to execute your clients dream or idea. Countless times I’ve been on a job and stumble onto a unique and individual way to photograph something. You are hopefully being paid for your individual eye but first and foremost you’re delivering what the client is expecting to see in the finished results. It’s ok and often a great moment when you deliver the product they expect along with a few results from out of the box thinking. Surprise your client as long as you’ve delivered what they asked for. After all you’re an artist and that’s what makes each job fun.

As always a few shots and there settings for you to ponder.

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/40
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm @ 16mm
ISO: 500
Date Taken: May.26.2011

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Aperture: f/2.8
Shutter: 1/40
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm @ 19mm
ISO: 500
Date Taken: May.26.2011

Upon comparing the specs of each image it is not hard to see they are almost identical, save the lens zoom reposition and yet the images are vastly different in subject matter relationship to the viewer and lighting. The technique employed in achieving this difference is that of birds eye view and alternately worms eye view. Neither photo is rendered at the usual human perspective of 5-6 feet off the ground. Implying a perspective unlike our own leaving the viewer slightly unfamiliar with how the object appears but the brain is still able to determine what the object is. Good shooting.