Easy Peasy Photography. Oh yeah, right!

As far as Mondays go, today was a pretty decent one, mostly because this morning's shoot went off smoothly, post-processing was a cinch and I have a beer in one hand and the AC is cranked down. Work on the other hand has been demanding as ever.

Before I forget and get carried away, here is a snapshot of my studio.

It's nothing to write home about and the equipment is very middle grade stuff, consisting of mono lights, but it gives you an idea of what I have to work with. Most days I shoot product stuff which can get pretty monotonous, and then you tend to get brain-dead and do everything in rote. Yes, it can be pretty soul-destroying work, but then again, any job can become that way if you let it. I don't plan on shooting antiques for the rest of my life, but it gives me the opportunity to work with lights, and to experiment with lights in a way that most people could only dream of.

There isn't much that I haven't done with those lights. I've schlepped them all over the place in their Pelican case, and yes, I would love to replace them with some high grade equipment, but that type of budget doesn't exist right now. In the meantime, here is an image of what I what I shot today with those same paltry lights, and a few gobos. The client was ecstatic. Your thoughts? Click on the photo for a larger image. By the way, I really would like your thoughts if you feel you have an idea that could add to the photo.

I am still working on my 10000 hours, and one of the things that I have figured that I need to do is slow down when setting up a shoot and be sure to think through the situation ahead of time. If I can scope out the place well before the shoot I will and if I can't, I will definitely draw a diagram of sorts indicating where I want the lights, and which ones will be gelled, because when the pressure is on, those notes I have made pay off. Essentially, you have to be intentional about what you are doing. Don't waste valuable time being in fibrillation mode when you need to be massaging the client or coaxing a light or changing batteries or adding a snoot. You get the idea.

Something else I have discovered is that I will not be rushed. I understand that the client wants you to set up and shoot and to wrap it up and go away as soon as you can because it's cheaper for him or her, but I won't be rushed. I need to think. I need to walk around, and make whatever adjustments need to be made. Post-processing is fine, but the days of fixing things in Photoshop are over. Trying to fix stuff that could've been fixed on set is tedious and darn right expensive, when all you had to do is turn off the lights or move the prop etc.

Being intentional about your photography isn't necessarily something that comes easily, and yes, it may even slow you down, but ultimately, you will speed up because you'll be correcting bad habits and will be covering all the bases to ensure a perfect picture.