First potentially paid photography gig

alexthecheese

alexthecheese

alexthecheese

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10 Mar 2006
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My cousin helps run the Museum of Power at Maldon, near where I live. I messaged him asking if they'd want any photos of the exhibits, as they look to have been done on camera phones or with generally poor equipment.

I'm going on Sunday to take some photos of the exhibitions, along with photos of the event - they're having a Steam event where they're turning on the engines and giving people rides etc.

Here's their current gallery:

http://www.museumofpower.org.uk/Gallery1.html

How would you suggest taking photos that are markedly improved upon these? They're all poor so anything I give will likely be an improvement, but I don't know what the light will be like and I don't know how to compose photos for pieces of equipment.

This is my kit:
Nikon D600
Speedlight SB900
14-24mm
24-70mm
70-200mm
35mm Sigma (if the thing arrives today as it should :p)
50mm 1.4
85mm 1.4

How would you guys take this on? It's not horrifically exciting, but I could be paid for this and it could lead to me taking on some work for their events, I hope.
 
Do you have a second camera? Rent or borrow a second camera as a backup. This also allows you to have different lenses on each camera.

I also have my first official paid contracts gig next week. I'll be shooting a d800 and 24-70mm and a D7000 with 85mm f/1.8g
 
I have a D5100, but only really with a 18-105mm as my 35mm 1.8 started back-focussing.

I don't really have the time to sort out a second camera, I'm canoeing tomorrow and have a BBQ to host, then Sunday is family round, etc. etc.

Compositionally speaking, any hints DP? Did you go for the D800 in the end then?
 
D5100 will be tine, you have enough other lenses. You could do like me and have the 85mm prime on crop and 24-70 or 70-200 on d600.

Main thing is to have a backup so if the main camera drops/malfunctions you can carry on.


Yeah, I got the D800 in the end.
 
Hi, my humble thoughts, just finished a set of my fathers Jaguar rebuild photos, so my research is still fresh. ;)

For Indoors.
Judging from the indoor images you linked to, there is a fair few windows surrounding the exhibits, so a lot of natural light. I think ideally you don't want a too bright day since that is going to play havoc with reflections off the machinery. Although, if they have Florescent lights too..
( make sure to check your Highlights in-camera, as it may save an image from having a 'blown out' reflection)

The Machinery has lots of straight lines, make use of them as lead in lines.

I would compose some high and low wide angle shots to make the machines have a greater sense of scale and grandeur. You can see where the current crop of images they have are 'flat' and uninteresting.

The machinery have a lot of 'dials and valves' and the like, I would maybe look at shots comprising them too. Same goes for huge 'cogs' dotted about all over. The Cogs give a real sense of early industrial.
-Look at image 10, the Marshall Lilleshall, I think that its crying out for a better shot of the control dials. Also, I think a better image of it with some DOF play, so that the background of the green door, just blurs away.

The outdoor stuff, sorry not bag. ;)

Off topic: how are the 24-70 and the 70-200 like on D5100. I have same body and am undecided on which to grab first?

@ D.p...Enjoy the 800 .
 
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Cheers, Baron. It's funny that I always look at photos thinking, "why didn't they do X?", but when you do it yourself, it's suddenly a lot harder. I'm probably a better critic than photographer.

I don't think I'll bother with two cameras DP, just because I'll be swamped with decisions just using one camera!
 
alexthecheese said:
Cheers, Baron. It's funny that I always look at photos thinking, "why didn't they do X?", but when you do it yourself, it's suddenly a lot harder. I'm probably a better critic than photographer.

I don't think I'll bother with two cameras DP, just because I'll be swamped with decisions just using one camera!
Click to expand...

Even if you don't actively use the second, take both. Especially if you are being paid/looking to build a bit of reputation. Two is one and one is none. What will you do if your main body stops working?
 
Baron C said:
Hi, my humble thoughts, just finished a set of my fathers Jaguar rebuild photos, so my research is still fresh. ;)

For Indoors.
Judging from the indoor images you linked to, there is a fair few windows surrounding the exhibits, so a lot of natural light. I think ideally you don't want a too bright day since that is going to play havoc with reflections off the machinery. Although, if they have Florescent lights too..
( make sure to check your Highlights in-camera, as it may save an image from having a 'blown out' reflection)

The Machinery has lots of straight lines, make use of them as lead in lines.

I would compose some high and low wide angle shots to make the machines have a greater sense of scale and grandeur. You can see where the current crop of images they have are 'flat' and uninteresting.

The machinery have a lot of 'dials and valves' and the like, I would maybe look at shots comprising them too. Same goes for huge 'cogs' dotted about all over. The Cogs give a real sense of early industrial.
-Look at image 10, the Marshall Lilleshall, I think that its crying out for a better shot of the control dials. Also, I think a better image of it with some DOF play, so that the background of the green door, just blurs away.

The outdoor stuff, sorry not bag. ;)

Off topic: how are the 24-70 and the 70-200 like on D5100. I have same body and am undecided on which to grab first?

@ D.p...Enjoy the 800 .
Click to expand...

I wouldn't bother with the 24-70mm on crop unless you have specific needs. It does ok for portrait work but otherwise it is a bit of a pain, not wide enough and not long enough. My copy sits on my shelf, I've literally maybe only taken a few hundred photos with it.

That should change now I have the D800
 
D.P. said:
I wouldn't bother with the 24-70mm on crop unless you have specific needs. It does ok for portrait work but otherwise it is a bit of a pain, not wide enough and not long enough. My copy sits on my shelf, I've literally maybe only taken a few hundred photos with it.

That should change now I have the D800
Click to expand...


Cheers, D.P

I agree, it's defiantly wasted on a crop. Enjoy it on the 800, it's reputation is that it's quality glass.
 
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