Lessons Learned
Areas to improve
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Shoot wide - allow for crop. - Allow space above and below a person for crop factor.
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Always take more than one shot when people are involved.
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Have people look at who is taking key photo.
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Be aware of background objects -including on the sides of the subject - move PoV or unwanted objects out of frame.
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Where possible, keep people on same plane and use f/3.5-5.6 to decrease DOF.
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Be aware of objects in front of lens - i.e., chords, fingers, etc.
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Be aware of other photographer's location. Choose another POV if necessary.
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Be aware of soft-box positions and mirror locations for unwanted reflections.
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Carry multiple batteries for all flash/strobes.
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Check batteries hourly and replace as necessary.
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Keep ISO below 1200 and shutter speed above 1/100 - 1/250.
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Keep distance at a minimum between the heads of subjects - i.e., get heads to remove gap (bench / children)
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Meter hot spots when outdoors (if necessary use spot metering).
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Bungee chord for cart.
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Setup Snoot on Stand for ad-hoc portraits. (Leave off until needed)
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Create sign to point requesting subjects look at camera.
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Add 2nd Equipment Checklist for packing up
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Carry black cloth to cover equipment when being stored
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Use gray card more often
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Verify background props (i.e. candles / photos) are facing the camera
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Research leaving marketing materials.
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Groomsmen shirt cuffs, jackets, etc checked
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Check subjects close to each other - look for stretched out hands which may be out of frame
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Review positions of posed, fun shots so not everyone is doing the same.
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Add more variety of posed shots - formal and fun
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Add more shallow DoF shots - use telephoto more (70-200)
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Research Flash failures
What worked well
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Communications with Client
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Fun Poses
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Planning (timeline) / scoping locations / pre-shoot
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Being early for setup / testing equipment
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Equipment Checklist
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Verify focus - use loop
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Dual photographers - ability to cover different locations
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Assistant / lighting, gray card, reflector, etc.
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Multiple camera positions - overall coverage
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LED lighting boost
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Reflector / Defuser
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Walkie-Talkie
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Ladder