Highlight: School dinners! Have they changed since I was at school when salad was lumpy mashed potato slopped onto a limp lettuce leaf with a runny tomato on the side. Now it's bowls of crispy green leaves, crunchy crudités, fresh fruit and nuts with baked potatoes and warm baguettes.
Lowlight: Getting up at 5.30am for half the month to get to school!!!
Fill in: So, one month, 15 schools, and over 5000 children from terrible toddlers to terrifying teenagers. There were tears, tantrums, hard stares and grimaces - and that was just me getting the kit up. The work, seemingly so straight forward in training suddenly became a mammoth task when confronted by the reality of giggling girls refusing to look up, boisterous boys refusing to smile, shirt collars refusing to lie down and receptions kids refusing to sit up. Each job threw up a new challenge, more frustrating than the last from concrete mixers blocking the school entrance, to mothers trying to turn a simple group shot into a creative family photo session, to getting lost in one particular school whose corridors and stairs would have given Hogwarts a run for its money. Am I coming back next year? You bet I am..To successfully get hundreds of children, from the awkward to the shy to the aggressive to the precocious, to smile nicely for the camera in a couple of hours is actually quite rewarding and as a mother - I know how just important that school photo is.
Tech Spec:
here is my shoot checklist
BEFORE
Location: power point 15’l x 10’w x 8’ h
Entrance exit
Windows position of cables
Set up: Background F8-F11 (half way up backdrop)
Front F8 (5’ 6” high)
Bench (five foot steps)
Shoot WB Shoot grey card
Tape down all cables.
Clipbag with marker, cards, batteries and tissues
Name cards and box.
DURING: Check class (board shot in-between each one)
Fill out Identiboard (class or comp)
Check tidiness (parents photograph them before school to prove they were tidy when they went in)
Check bench (kids kick it)
Check lights (kids kick them)
Check backdrop (kids knock it over)
Check name card (kids lose them - younger ones eat them)
AFTER: Re-Booking form
Download images – burn CD
Pack down
POST: CDs
Re-booking form
Yellow job sheet
Names to faces cards
Enquiries: http://www.gillmanandsoame.co.uk/
Friday 30 September 2011
Wednesday 28 September 2011
Sony ATV Party 2011
Highlight: Will Young making me apologise via the iPhone to my long suffering partner for shouting at him because I was late. Nice security guy calming me down so I could arrive at the job looking stress free.
Lowlight: Going to the wrong venue, (I was wandering round the National Gallery for 20 mins before I realised I should be at the National Theatre). It then took me an hour to travel 2 miles. (30 mins of that of that was getting across Parliament Square). Twisted my ankle again in my haste to get out of the car. Then when I got to the lifts they were out of order. By the way, if you were that red Fiat that a honked very loudly to just because you didn't immediately go from 0-60 in 2 seconds from the lights, or that Black Cab who I yelled at to 'JUST PUSH YOUR WAY OUT' at a red light then I am very sorry. Also very sorry to Keith for shouting down the phone at him to '…find out where the bloody party is. Type Sony ATV party - in google for F*@k's sake'. Now where's that book I got on anger management….
Fill in: The main celeb at this party is Rak, the MD who loves to be photographed surrounded by glamorous girls, and there were plenty of them. The venue had a balcony that looked out over the River Thames which was all very picturesque. The evening was to be spent getting all the glamorous bods that walked through the doors chatting and networking and generally schmoozing. Usually at these things people tend to stay in their little huddles, but Will Young and new girl group RD aided by a well stocked bar, expertly worked the room ensuring the party rattled along at a decent pace and providing lots of photo opps. If you're having an industry party - Will's your man. Spent a long time catching up with Teri Hall, the woman who gave me my first real photo pass, which got me my photos that got me into NME. Felt very old as the pass in question was for Reading Festival 1994, when Antony Keidis of the headliners Red Hot Chilli Peppers was still hot.
Tech Spec: The view was amazing but unfortunately need a long shutter or a high ISO setting to register. As I had to use flash to capture the guests, a high ISO was out of the question, as was a long shutter, even with flash as the guests were in a brighter ambient light than the background and movement blur would have occurred. So I had to encourage the guests from the balcony into the venue to get the shots. The venue itself was lit red, which was very atmospheric but very bright as a background so not ideal. Managed with one camera, SB800 and 24-70mm for the whole evening.
For more info: www.sonyatv.com/en-uk/
Lowlight: Going to the wrong venue, (I was wandering round the National Gallery for 20 mins before I realised I should be at the National Theatre). It then took me an hour to travel 2 miles. (30 mins of that of that was getting across Parliament Square). Twisted my ankle again in my haste to get out of the car. Then when I got to the lifts they were out of order. By the way, if you were that red Fiat that a honked very loudly to just because you didn't immediately go from 0-60 in 2 seconds from the lights, or that Black Cab who I yelled at to 'JUST PUSH YOUR WAY OUT' at a red light then I am very sorry. Also very sorry to Keith for shouting down the phone at him to '…find out where the bloody party is. Type Sony ATV party - in google for F*@k's sake'. Now where's that book I got on anger management….
Fill in: The main celeb at this party is Rak, the MD who loves to be photographed surrounded by glamorous girls, and there were plenty of them. The venue had a balcony that looked out over the River Thames which was all very picturesque. The evening was to be spent getting all the glamorous bods that walked through the doors chatting and networking and generally schmoozing. Usually at these things people tend to stay in their little huddles, but Will Young and new girl group RD aided by a well stocked bar, expertly worked the room ensuring the party rattled along at a decent pace and providing lots of photo opps. If you're having an industry party - Will's your man. Spent a long time catching up with Teri Hall, the woman who gave me my first real photo pass, which got me my photos that got me into NME. Felt very old as the pass in question was for Reading Festival 1994, when Antony Keidis of the headliners Red Hot Chilli Peppers was still hot.
Tech Spec: The view was amazing but unfortunately need a long shutter or a high ISO setting to register. As I had to use flash to capture the guests, a high ISO was out of the question, as was a long shutter, even with flash as the guests were in a brighter ambient light than the background and movement blur would have occurred. So I had to encourage the guests from the balcony into the venue to get the shots. The venue itself was lit red, which was very atmospheric but very bright as a background so not ideal. Managed with one camera, SB800 and 24-70mm for the whole evening.
For more info: www.sonyatv.com/en-uk/
Saturday 24 September 2011
Eid 2011
Highlight: The first sunny weekend for ages and I'm outside all day
Lowlight: Sprained ankle still causing grief and have been told it will take 6 weeks to get better…if I rest it…and try to stay off my feet….
Fill in: This annual event takes place in Trafalgar Square and this year Sounds of Reason are headlining. It is quite a sight seeing hundreds of cute Arab girls screaming their heads off and waving their pink, crystal studded iPhones at the stage. Yes, East definitely met West in the Square today. Best dressed girls of the day - the colour co-ordinated habits and trainers.
Tech Spec: Two cameras, one set up for low light performance shots (usually first three no flash as for gigs) and one for quick snaps (full flash, point and shoot). As it happens my flash decided to conk out on this job right in the middle of shooting gSnow Patrol. There is no time to hang around at these events so I had to whip off the speed light and rely on my pop up flash - they do come in useful and for this reason I always use the D700 for snaps just in case.
For more info www.mediaevalbaebes.co.uk
Lowlight: Sprained ankle still causing grief and have been told it will take 6 weeks to get better…if I rest it…and try to stay off my feet….
Fill in: This annual event takes place in Trafalgar Square and this year Sounds of Reason are headlining. It is quite a sight seeing hundreds of cute Arab girls screaming their heads off and waving their pink, crystal studded iPhones at the stage. Yes, East definitely met West in the Square today. Best dressed girls of the day - the colour co-ordinated habits and trainers.
Tech Spec: Two cameras, one set up for low light performance shots (usually first three no flash as for gigs) and one for quick snaps (full flash, point and shoot). As it happens my flash decided to conk out on this job right in the middle of shooting gSnow Patrol. There is no time to hang around at these events so I had to whip off the speed light and rely on my pop up flash - they do come in useful and for this reason I always use the D700 for snaps just in case.
For more info www.mediaevalbaebes.co.uk
Wednesday 7 September 2011
Dolly Parton at O2
Highlight: Having an excuse for the first time on 15 years to hire a 400mm F2.8 monster lens. Also getting a lift front he car park to the O2 bia a buggy, specially drafted in to transport the anticipated frail, elderly audience who might find the not inconsiderable journey taxing.
Lowlight: Realised the monster lens was a pain in the arse to transport and had trouble even getting it onto a monopod and then onto my should and then into the pit.
Fill in: We were shooting from sound desk hence the need for the extra length. However it ruined out we were even further away than I thought and as the light was quite bright a more manageable 600 F4 lens would have done. As we crammed into the pit I prayed the crowd would not stand up, but the anticipated geriatric audience had no trouble jumping up and down wildly in front of the photographers. For the whole of the first song I manoeuvred the monster lens between the gaps in the heads and hoped Dolly would be waiting for me but this was fruitless. In desperation I asked security if I could stand on a chair which they amazingly agreed to. Trouble was it was a fold up chair which meant assuming a very precarious stance with a sprained ankle (see Liberty Festival) and with the chair and ankle threatening to fold up and any moment I awkwardly lengthened the monopod (nearly knocking out a member of the audience and myself with monster lens in the process) and grabbed a load of shots in the second half of the second song only to find the light had changed and they are all over exposed. In the last ten seconds of the second song (we only had two songs to get the shots) I managed to secure a few usable shots.
Tech Spec: Shooting from the sound desk of an arena means at least a 400mm and I often turn down these jobs. Shutter speeds need to be around 1/500 even on a monopod and the subject is moving. Most of the time the light is good but take something to stand on (you may not be allowed to take it in but have a go) as the crowd will probably stand up. The photography itself is pretty straight forward as you will not be able to move position.
For editorial enquiries: www.gettyimages.com
Lowlight: Realised the monster lens was a pain in the arse to transport and had trouble even getting it onto a monopod and then onto my should and then into the pit.
Fill in: We were shooting from sound desk hence the need for the extra length. However it ruined out we were even further away than I thought and as the light was quite bright a more manageable 600 F4 lens would have done. As we crammed into the pit I prayed the crowd would not stand up, but the anticipated geriatric audience had no trouble jumping up and down wildly in front of the photographers. For the whole of the first song I manoeuvred the monster lens between the gaps in the heads and hoped Dolly would be waiting for me but this was fruitless. In desperation I asked security if I could stand on a chair which they amazingly agreed to. Trouble was it was a fold up chair which meant assuming a very precarious stance with a sprained ankle (see Liberty Festival) and with the chair and ankle threatening to fold up and any moment I awkwardly lengthened the monopod (nearly knocking out a member of the audience and myself with monster lens in the process) and grabbed a load of shots in the second half of the second song only to find the light had changed and they are all over exposed. In the last ten seconds of the second song (we only had two songs to get the shots) I managed to secure a few usable shots.
Tech Spec: Shooting from the sound desk of an arena means at least a 400mm and I often turn down these jobs. Shutter speeds need to be around 1/500 even on a monopod and the subject is moving. Most of the time the light is good but take something to stand on (you may not be allowed to take it in but have a go) as the crowd will probably stand up. The photography itself is pretty straight forward as you will not be able to move position.
For editorial enquiries: www.gettyimages.com
Friday 2 September 2011
Liberty Festival 2011
Highlight: Being amazed by physically and mentally disabled performance artists.
Lowlight: I had badly sprained my ankle and as the festival is spread over two sites my devoted partner insisted on taking me round in a wheelchair. The GLA events manager was surprised to say the least but I just told him I was a method photographer and dedicated to my art.
Fill in: As it turned out I was only photographing on one site so there was not much walking and as my damned partner's wheelchair driving is as scary as his driving so I felt a lot safer out of the wheelchair than in it, even with a sprained ankle. The performances were in front of the National Theatre but alternated between the two ends so it meant a mad dash (or limp in my case) in-between each act to get a good spot. What with a sprained ankle and electric wheelchairs, motorised scooters, walking frames and visually impaired people to contend with it became a hazardous six hours.
Tech Spec: Very bright sun meant using fill in flash and choosing viewpoints carefully. There are lots of walkways and different levels on the Southbank so you can get some good angles. A Long lens and a wide lens gets some great shots in this situation and are good for shoot in crowds where you can either use the long to get them out of focus and standout of the way, pr the wide to get right up to the front and squat from allow viewpoint -again out of the audiences way.
For editorial enquiries: www.gettyimages.com
Lowlight: I had badly sprained my ankle and as the festival is spread over two sites my devoted partner insisted on taking me round in a wheelchair. The GLA events manager was surprised to say the least but I just told him I was a method photographer and dedicated to my art.
Fill in: As it turned out I was only photographing on one site so there was not much walking and as my damned partner's wheelchair driving is as scary as his driving so I felt a lot safer out of the wheelchair than in it, even with a sprained ankle. The performances were in front of the National Theatre but alternated between the two ends so it meant a mad dash (or limp in my case) in-between each act to get a good spot. What with a sprained ankle and electric wheelchairs, motorised scooters, walking frames and visually impaired people to contend with it became a hazardous six hours.
Tech Spec: Very bright sun meant using fill in flash and choosing viewpoints carefully. There are lots of walkways and different levels on the Southbank so you can get some good angles. A Long lens and a wide lens gets some great shots in this situation and are good for shoot in crowds where you can either use the long to get them out of focus and standout of the way, pr the wide to get right up to the front and squat from allow viewpoint -again out of the audiences way.
For editorial enquiries: www.gettyimages.com
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