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Published Photographers, the Best of Both Worlds?

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Do you really get the best of both worlds when working with published photographers?

In short: yes!

Published photographers have a tendency to think differently when composing and taking photos. They will have a track record of working with various editors and printers to perfect the format and print quality.

Published

This is what sets them aside from unpublished photographers.

In this digital age many photos never make it to the print stage. It’s not easy to have images accepted for print, making it more of an achievement when images are published.

Great images always have the upper hand when it comes to acceptance rates. That’s why studying the various types of format and colour profiles needed is what really counts.

Published2

If you ever work with a photographer it’s always a good idea to make them aware of the intended use for the final photos. It can determine the level of work the photographer will need to put in the final image and possibly save you time and money.

Above images are some published photos taken and edited by Zulfiqar Ali

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Photographers block

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This is a touchy subject, “photographers block” or rather I should say blocking the photographers view.

It does happen, but when it’s the mere mortals who have paid to attend the show who are getting in the way of the official photographer…. not to mention they are using giant IPads or a mobile phone tut-tut.

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Acknowledgement -blocking the photographers view

If I paid to go and see an event the last thing I would be doing is photographing it. Enjoy the atmosphere the live sensation. To be fair I can’t remember the last time I saw a show which wasn’t through the eyecup on my Canon DSLR.

You get the idea, however this isn’t a rant it’s how to “embrace” the situation. My series on common issues faced by photographers the other was Low Light – Fashion Catwalk Shows read that one here

I made a recent “block” at my recent Asiana 2015 Catwalk into an image of its own right and even a blog post #OhYeah #GoMe

here goes, there is a four step process to follow to overcome the “block” without losing you shit. (excuse the expression)

  1. Acknowledgement – You are blocked, give them a chance “Excuse me”
  2. Repetition – They are a persistent offender “Hellooo”
  3. Embrace – Make the best of the situation “No comment”
  4. Success – You have unique view of the show “Oh Yeah”
Zulf_Photography-9768
Repetition – Another Block

 

Zulf_Photography-9769
Embrace – Make the best of the situation

 

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Success – You have unique view of the show

Photos: Zulfphotography

Event: Asiana Bridal Show Feb 2015

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Low Light – Fashion Catwalk Shows

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The scenario: you arrive in good time and ask for a preview of the shows lighting setup.

FashionShow_PoorLight-40017mm2.8

Don’t panic, lighting is not always this bad, but… this show has no overhead lights on the runway at all.

As photographers we need to be able to adapt quickly to conditions. How do you deal with capturing a model walking down an unlit runway? By making smart decisions. If you get to know your camera settings, there are a few things that can help you…

Keep in mind that this may be a case of “making the best of a bad situation”.

Here are some quick tips to consider in low light:

  • Use a flash
  • Be creative
  • Steady your camera
  • Shoot tight
  • Position

Below I have expanded upon these points in more detail and provided samples of photos I took.

Use a Flash
If you’re using a DSLR and you have to use a flash, your best bet is to use an external flash. These flashes can be manipulated and turned to bounce off of a wall or the ceiling. So you’re lighting your subject from the top or the side, rather than directly. As you can see below, the direct flash in this situation casts a harsh light on the model and sharp shadows behind her.
FashionShow_PoorLight-2000140mm2.8

Be Creative
Embrace the low light and get a little creative. Shoot to include the name of the designer in your photos and get the audience perspective of the show. Make the low light a feature of a few of your images. Silhouettes always look cool.
FashionShow_PoorLight-2000170mm3.2

Steady Your Camera
 Yes, sometimes the use of a flash just can’t be avoided. Get your camera on a steady surface and you can avoid the blur that inevitably spoils the photograph. My choice would be to use a mono-pod and low light flash to fill in the shadows.
FashionShow_PoorLight-2000200mm3.2

Shoot Tight
Set your aperture to its widest setting, 2.8 in my case. This will allow the most light to enter your lens. Shoot at the top end of you zoom, in my case 200mm, and wait for the moment.
FashionShow_PoorLight1600200mm3.2

Position is Key
Try your best to get a different view from other photographers. By getting a close enough position, you can compose your shot to emphasise the small details and capture movement.
FashionShow_PoorLight-500200mm2.8 (2)

These photos are the “better” ones I could share to help put my tips into perspective. Keeping calm and working with what you have will pay off. You will always get a few bad shots to begin with. Learn from those and remember to capture a different perspective at the event.

Photos:Zulfphotography.com
Event: Asiana Bridal Show 2014
Location: Birmingham Edgbaston Stadium
Date: Sunday 30th November 2014