Today is the final part in my series for photographers on tips for finding great shooting locations. Click below to get caught up on the series up to this point!
Part 1: Make it Personal
Part 2: Light Trumps Background
Part 3: Inspiration & Compositional Elements
Part 4: Change it Up
This series was born in answer to photographers who have expressed frustration with finding great shooting locations. I've been there, so I can easily relate. My tips throughout this series, including basing the shoot location on who your clients are, looking for light, inspirational found objects and compositional elements, as well as how to deal with shooting in familiar locations time and time again, will hopefully help. But when it comes down to it, maybe we all need to stop relying so heavily on great locations in order to make great images. My final tip is this: No more excuses. You can make a great image ANYWHERE.
One of the marks of an exceptional photographer is that they always make whatever event or subject they're shooting look better than it actually was. Whatever you're given to shoot -- if you can make it look better than it actually was -- you've done your job. If you're a wedding photographer who is just starting out, and you're frustrated with low-end venues that do not inspire you, don't get hung up on envying photographers who get to shoot in amazing locations. Instead, make it your singular goal to make each wedding look more amazing than it was. We can't always shoot in inspirational locations. So as Tim Gunn would say, we've got to "Make it work!" and figure out how to make great images anywhere.
By way of example, here are some of my most favorite images -- all of which were shot in the most ordinary of places. I wish I had a wide shot of each of these spots to show you what I was working with, but unfortunately, I didn't have the foresight to take those shots. I'll just have to do my best to paint the picture for you.
This photo, from Bennett's newborn session, was taken in the family's home in the master bedroom in front of a standard sliding glass door. (50mm, ISO 320, f3.2, 1/125)
Part 1: Make it Personal
Part 2: Light Trumps Background
Part 3: Inspiration & Compositional Elements
Part 4: Change it Up
This series was born in answer to photographers who have expressed frustration with finding great shooting locations. I've been there, so I can easily relate. My tips throughout this series, including basing the shoot location on who your clients are, looking for light, inspirational found objects and compositional elements, as well as how to deal with shooting in familiar locations time and time again, will hopefully help. But when it comes down to it, maybe we all need to stop relying so heavily on great locations in order to make great images. My final tip is this: No more excuses. You can make a great image ANYWHERE.
One of the marks of an exceptional photographer is that they always make whatever event or subject they're shooting look better than it actually was. Whatever you're given to shoot -- if you can make it look better than it actually was -- you've done your job. If you're a wedding photographer who is just starting out, and you're frustrated with low-end venues that do not inspire you, don't get hung up on envying photographers who get to shoot in amazing locations. Instead, make it your singular goal to make each wedding look more amazing than it was. We can't always shoot in inspirational locations. So as Tim Gunn would say, we've got to "Make it work!" and figure out how to make great images anywhere.
By way of example, here are some of my most favorite images -- all of which were shot in the most ordinary of places. I wish I had a wide shot of each of these spots to show you what I was working with, but unfortunately, I didn't have the foresight to take those shots. I'll just have to do my best to paint the picture for you.
This photo, from Bennett's newborn session, was taken in the family's home in the master bedroom in front of a standard sliding glass door. (50mm, ISO 320, f3.2, 1/125)
This next image of the dress on the left from Eric & Kari's wedding was taken in a VERY small, cluttered, ordinary hotel room. We rearranged furniture, moved pillows and made a bed to make this location work. (50mm, ISO 800, f2.0, 1/80)
This image from Dave & Jessica's engagement shoot was taken on a busy crosswalk in New York City. (70-200mm, ISO 640, f2.8, 1/100)
This portrait from Kindra's family session was taken at the end of a typical driveway (the whole session was done on a residential street in their neighborhood while it drizzled). (50mm, ISO 400, f1.8, 1/320)
These next images that I love from another session with Kindra's cute family, were taken in the middle of the street in her neighborhood. (L: 50mm, ISO 200, f2.2, 1/400; R: 70-200mm, ISO 200, f2.8, 1/200)
And finally, this next photo on the left from Brian & Veronica's engagement shoot was taken in the middle of a parking lot. You can't see them, but just beyond the curbs to the right and left are rows of cars. (50mm, ISO 500, f2.0, 1/6400)
So no more excuses! Get out there and make some extraordinary photos in ordinary locations!
That wraps up all my thoughts on finding great shooting locations! Please let me know if you have any questions, and if you found this series helpful, please do one or more of the following:
1. Share this series through the Facebook and Twitter buttons below!
2. Click here to find out about other resources I offer photographers!
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Equipment used for these photos: Canon 5D Mark II // Canon 50mm 1.2 lens // Canon 70-200 2.8 lens
That wraps up all my thoughts on finding great shooting locations! Please let me know if you have any questions, and if you found this series helpful, please do one or more of the following:
1. Share this series through the Facebook and Twitter buttons below!
2. Click here to find out about other resources I offer photographers!
--------------------------
Equipment used for these photos: Canon 5D Mark II // Canon 50mm 1.2 lens // Canon 70-200 2.8 lens
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