Prom Photography

<p>Hi,<br>

I will be doing a prom shoot in just under 2 weeks. It is the first time I have done this. I have rented a printer to print on site and a Click Lite system for the students to view the photos then and there from which one they like and want to have printed.<br>

I intend to use the method outlined in the attached video <a href="http://www.lastoliteschoolofphotography.com/using-the-hilite-for-event-photography">link</a> (sorry a bit long but you can watch the early part of it to get a good idea).<br>

I have all the equipment for taking the actual shots except the extra lights to blow out the background that is shown in the tutorial. (ie I have 4 out of the 6 lights suggested.<br>

Question 1 is can I get away without the extra lights, or better is there a cheap alternative ie maybe get lights for a a hardware store and have them continously pointing onto the background? Anyone used such a setup and found workarounds.<br>

Question 2 is anyone know of a good site that or have good examples of prom shoots.<br>

Finally any pices of advice you may want to give. I will have 2 assistants to help with the whole process.<br>

I appreciate any response that I may get as I have always found this to be a very helpful forum.<br>

Thanks</p>

 

<p>The color balance of the lights from the hardware store will not match the strobes unless you gel your strobes. I would not gel the the lights from the store as you will probably cook your gels.</p>

<p>If you have four lights use one to blow the background, one for a hairlight (hope you have the space), and then two for the main lights. Should work quite well.</p>

<p>Why do you need a white background? You could argue aboud making the dresses stand out but what do you do for a white dress? I would think that any reasonable neutral background would work quite well.</p>

<p>Are you going to shoot RAW? If so who is going to color balance the images? You could find a good color temperature before you begin and leave the camera on that setting making color balancing probably not necessary for each individual image. You will have the logistics of swapping memory cards.</p>

<p>You will, in my opinion, need some sort of radio slave to trigger the flashes. You don't want any cords with lots of people running around. Also sandbag your light stands.</p>

<p>Have fun.</p>

<p>Hi Raymond,<br>

thanks for that. I'm using a white background firstly because I have the Hi Lite background shown in the video and it should work with just about any colour dress apart from white. Maybe I will take a second backdrop that I can drop down for white dresses.<br>

I will colour balance before the prom starts and I have the radio slave for the flashes.<br>

I will practice blowing out the background with one light. Do I need a hair light? Looking at the video the demonstrator didn't have one or seem to need it. Sandbagging - good idea thanks for that. I don't need to swap cards hopefully because I will be tethered to a screen where the students can see the images and once they decide which ones they want this will be connected to a printer.<br>

Thanks again</p>

<p>I think a white dress will photograph just fine on a properly set up Hi Lite (right EV). I'd follow the set up in the video exactly. He gives you all the EVs in relation to each other. When I went to photo school, one of our assignments was shooting a white on white set up. I would rent the 2 extra lights needed to blow out the vinyl line. I think you need 2--1 will not work. They are essential to keeping a gradual curve in value between the Hi Lite part and the floor.</p>

<p>In any case, having another backdrop would just slow things down, and as the video points out--you just cannot have that an event like this. Everything has to be exactly right in the camera, which is why you can shoot medium JPEGS and pump out the prints without any fiddling.</p>

<p>Hi Nadine,<br>

I appreciate your input, I think you are right, I will have to rent the other 2 lights and will follow the tutorial.<br>

I will setup the studio as suggested and practice to get the setup and settings correct at least a week before.<br>

Anyone got any good examples of poses for proms or links? I will be taking 3 shots full, half and head and shoulders per student.<br>

By the thanks to both Raymod and yourself Nadine and all the others on the forum, this is what is so good about Photo.net the quick useful responses received. I have posted only twice and both times I have had quick helpful responses.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Also--a hair light would be a major PITA, and unnecessary. Raymond is right about the hardware store lights. Just have to rent studio flashes, because I doubt speedlights are going to be able to keep up.</p>

<p>The thing that I think Raymond is asking you is--are you stuck on the HiLite used that way--raised up with the vinyl curve? Using a regular background, you don't need as many lights. I just did a very small prom with one light into a 60" umbrella. The background was constructed by the kids. There weren't large groups, and if there were, I would have used two umbrella-ed lights, as in the video, but that also introduces cross shadows. The HiLite set up takes power and lots of lights, especially if you need to blow out the vinyl curve line. However, it does eliminate shadow problems and allows you to work closer to it.</p>

<p>As for poses, you will just have to rely upon your own knowledge of posing. There are several books out about posing couples (as for weddings), or for portraits, which would be applicable. Don't know that there are any sites that show the full range of posing. Go to Amazon or some place like that and search "portrait posing".</p>

<p>I haven't really got any other backdrops but I will see if I can find something suitable in the next 10 days or so. Otherwise I will go with the Hi Lite. I think I have some black material. <br>

The kids for this prom won't be able to provide me with anything as they are all taking their exams at the moment.<br>

I'll do a google search for prom poses or look at some US websites as the prom phonemena is still in its early stages here in the UK. Although most schools have them they are not the big affair they are in the US. I was hoping someone may have a good link to their own work or know of a good site<br>

Thanks</p>

<p>The Six Light / White Background system is swish - not argument that it can produce slick results and good sales.<br /> The question you might consider asking, is - <strong><em>"Is this the best solution for my situation?"</em></strong></p>

<p>One more potential problem (awareness) with renting two more light so you then have the six lights required for the White Vinyl set up is choosing which light will you sacrifice if one light goes down?<br />On the other hand, the benefit of using one light and one umbrella and a vertical Background (or building a unique to that venue stage set, using props already there), is that you have a second Light and brolly set to use for large groups and as a spare ready to go, should the main light go down.<br /> Addressing cross shadows for groups of four or more: judicious Arrangement (Posing) will address mostly all of this to render the final shot more than acceptable by most Clients (and also most Photographers for that matter).</p>

<p>In any case - making the lighting set a week before and PRACTICING, bodes well for success, whatever lighting set you choose.</p>

<p>Your main enemy is TIME:<br /> Specifically to this issue –<br /> What are your two assistant's JOBS? - and what experience do they have . . .<br /> with setting up a six light rig, as one example<br /> marketing and SELLING Prints as another example.</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>I'll certainly give the idea of using an alternative to the Hi Lite some thought. Would make sense to just go for a simpler setup. Also I will look at the cost of hiring the 2 extra lights, the complication of the setup against purchasing a simpler setup to keep for other events.<br>

The 2 assistants roles will be operating the printer and selling the prints as well as talking to the students in the line helping them with poses and setting up groups. As for the actual studio setup as I will be there in good time I will be doing most of it and they can help with the setting up <br>

I am hiring the printer and Click Lite monitor next week and will be training them on using the monitor and printer over the weekend. They both have sales experience, but not particularly prints.</p>

 

<p>Thanks for answering the two questions</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"The 2 assistants roles will be operating the printer and selling the prints as well as <em><strong>talking to the students in the line helping them with poses and setting up groups."</strong></em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>‘nother two questions:<br /> How many Students?<br /> How much time is allocated for Photos?</p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>About 100 students but not verified the time alloted for the photos. They will be arriving about 7 in the evening, some will arrive earlier and I can get them done and some will arrive later.<br>

As they come through they will have their photos taken and then move on into the hall. I am intending to shoot all the single or couples first and then say for anyone wanting groups to come back after I have finished the singles/couples. I feel it would be unfair to keep them waiting while I did various group setups. Also if those that want groups are not in line together pulling someone forward from the back may not go down too well with other students waiting.</p>

 

<p>You have many, many options for a backdrop that are all far less trouble than a white background. The most basic is seamless background paper in "studio gray" or medium/light blue. Muslin cloth backdrops are very versatile and availble with various colors and patterns. Look at the Photek People Popper or Background in a Bag system for simple, easy to use, easy to set up backgrounds. With a standard background, all you need are two lights in umbrellas. Can even get by with one light as suggested above. The white background routine with six lights is overkill for what you're trying to do. <br /><br />Allowing students to view the pictures and printing on site is also beyond what you need to do. Standard practice is they pay up front, you shoot a standard pose. You can make more than one shot if you think you need it to make sure they haven't blinked, but they don't get a choice. Then, you either record the file number on their order envelope and mail the prints to them, or you drop off the batch of prints at the school and let them figure out who's who. In either case, prints can be delivered whenver they're back from the lab. Printing on site can work if you are shooting a single frame or two and choosing what to print yourself. But if you get teenages standing around trying to make up their minds on which picture they like best -- or thinking they don't like any of them and wanting a reshoot or their money back -- you'll never finish the job.</p>

<p>Thanks for answering</p>

<p>Indeed CS outlines some of my other concerns also.<br>

100 Students – if that’s ‘50 Pairs’ at three poses per and allowing 2 minutes per to set and shoot – that’s close to 2 hours shooting time – one hour if you are twice as quick and four hours if the numbers are 100 Students and EACH brings a Partner.<br>

I think you should consider that the second (assumed inexperienced) Assistant will be flat out like a lizard drinking, just doing the herding of 100 Students for the shots, let alone having time out for Selling the Prints. </p>

<p>WW</p>

<p>Hi Craig,<br>

I agree that there will be simpler options, but as I already had the Hi Lite background I thought that it would make sense to use what I already had. But I will look at other solutions. I think Photek and Background in a Bag are US sites so not sure if and how quick they could deliver to the UK. There are UK alternatives I will look at.<br>

The not printing on site and getting money upfront won't work in this situation. Firstly as mentioned prom photography in the UK is not as advanced as it is in the US, so students and their parents aren't used to and I don't think they would be comfortable to pay upfront. Also if they have a photo of themselves, then one with their date and then in a group how would I cater for that in a upfront payment. Secondly many of the students aren't at school any more as they are on exam leave and only come in to sit exams now. It is standard practice here to either pay on the day or order from a website after the event.</p>

<p>Hi William,<br>

re the time my aim was 3 shots but same pose. Full length - Half - Head and shoulders. That should save a fair amount of time.<br>

I could rope in a 3rd assistant. I will try the setup and timing next weekend and see how time consuming it is.</p>

 

<p>OK - understood about it being the same pose.<br>

Good idea to do dry run.<br>

Good Luck with it.</p>

<p>WW</p>

Ummm, I agree with the others, 6 lights is a waste and so is a hair. Some may ask why is a hair light bad? Great question! Well the new treand for guys is that shaved head look. If you use a hair light you will get some not so nice hot spot relections on the shaved or bald heads, bald for the oldered gents in their 30's or whatever age.

 

You have to have a long floor drop (backdrop.) The reason is when you light up the background to keep the background white and not grey the light aiming at the background can reflect off the background and hit the couples causing strange shadows or unflatering light.

 

Iften I will use just 1 light to light up the background as long as it is enough to light up the whole background. You can email me if you wish and I will send you a pic of this one unit I use that spreads the light wonderfully. For now though go safe and pint the back lights at the white background.

 

If you want yo can use a green screen, which I do now and this allows you to use a white background to anything you want, such as beach scenes to about any type of background you wish.

 

This was taken lsat night at a beauty pageant inside using a green screen. Lots of fun using one and people love this.

another try<div></div>

Wow is this color and harshness way off! I don't know whythis happens, but anyway this is the idea. I thought about adding a great white shark in the background, but thats probably overkill.

 

If anyone wants to see how thw photo really looks I can email it to you.

God I can't type!

<p>Niraj,</p>

<p>I am also a strong advocate of keeping things simple. Especially with the type of shoot, you want to minimize variables and have as flexible a setup as possible. In your case, the fewer the lights, the better methinks...</p>

<p>On the logistics/time management side of things, it would do you well to ask the school/college to announce/inform all the confirmed guests well ahead of time, maybe put up notices on their boards, or when they're issuing the tickets, etc. that the individual portrait session will be happening as they enter the venue (or at whatever time you are planning) and that group shots will be done later that evening. That way you can try and minimize the requests by the guests for photos with their friends at the beginning (I bet you will still be asked to do those though :))</p>

<p>Thanks Bob, Mark I have decided to keep it simple and will be ordering a background stand and background paper tomorrow and practice over the weekend. So I will not hire in more lights.<br>

As for communicating with the students, my daughter is actually one of them and her friend is one of the organisers. So between them I am going to send out the necessary information about group shots etc and also get the assistants to explain it to the students as they arrive.<br>

They are all on Facebook and Blackberry messenger so it should spread like wildfire :-) <br>

I am going to use this as an opportunity to promote some portrait sessions with me, offering a promotion/discount to those students that are at the prom. Good idea?</p>

<p>It is a good idea if you are allowed to advertise (the event administrators have the say so on this). Sometimes, particularly with kids, advertising is limited to keep things 'pure'.</p>

<p>I will check with the organiser(s) and make sure they are happy with me putting in a leaflet with the photo package.</p>

 

Oh, something kind of necessary. Are you bringing someone to print and collect the money? Sometimes it is easier to offer only 1 size so you don't have to keep track of he numbering, and the names of people. Added to this you really don't need to bring a cash box for change to the people.

 

I use a dye sub printer so you don't have to mess with ink. I really like the Kodak 9810, but sadly they discontinued it. grrrr

 

If you start doing a lot of these types of events check out dye sub printers because it makes life so nice not messing with ink and clogged jets.

 

After the prom post a photo or 2. I'm really interested in seeing how your light system turned out.