www.withheart.ca Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I'm thinking of purchasing a ladder to shoot groups and other formals at my next wedding. What size do you find most useful? For obvious reasons that smaller the ladder the better. :) Also,is there any advice about logistics that you'd like to offer? I have an assistant and drive a Camry with pull down seats and a huge trunk. Thanks so much! Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I use a two step Werner aluminum ladder with a blue plastic top which I bought at Costco for $20. I do the bad thing and stand right on top of it but I am sure as I get more decrepit I will have to resort to the kind that has the guard rail, so as not to injure myself or others. I rigged a strap on it so I can put it over my shoulder folded. The reason for no guard rail is that I sometimes use it as a posing stool. I pulled off all the stickers on it but it is still an eyesore in the backgrounds of images so I'm a little careful of where I put it. Not sure what you mean by logistics. I work alone so everything I use has got to be transportable, preferably in one trip, by me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ_konrad Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 We picked up a low cost aluminum step ladder at a local home center. I added wheels on one set of legs mounted so that they will only touch the ground when the step ladder is folded up. I mounted a shelf on the back side with a couple of bunge cords I have a wheeled cart to transport all of our equipment cases for every wedding. Total investment - under $30. Sort of like the following: http://www.hammacher.com/publish/72753.asp?source=Dealtime&keyword=72753&cm_ven=NewGate&cm_cat=Dealtime&cm_pla=HOME%20SOLUTIONS&cm_ite=72753 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christopher hartt dallas Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Just a word of caution. Take a ladder to the reception and it can become an attractive nuisance for children who seem to be fascinated by such things. Make sure your liability insurance is paid up if you leave the ladder parked out of your sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdp Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I have a 3 step with lean rail at that the top that I picked up at Home Depot for about $55. I only bring it in with me when I know I'm going to use it, then it gets folded down and hidden awya until I leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_hovland Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Not worth the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.withheart.ca Posted February 24, 2007 Author Share Posted February 24, 2007 Thank you everyone for your respones. :) This helps me alot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starkitty Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 I use my two step ladder for most formals since I'm small and shooting from above flatters. I also use it for a few shots at the reception, especially wide shots of the dance floor from above. It can get a little dangerous there though. I agree about the eysore point. As hard as I try to tuck the ladder in some corner, it always end up in a few shots. Kids love it too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Always have one in the truck. We use one of those white plastic fold outs because the steps are wider and easier to maintain balance. It's actually lighter than an aluminum one. I'm on my third one because I keep leaving it at the church : -) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edsel_adams Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Ladders are for painting houses. Do what the rest of us do, borrow a chair on which to stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ_konrad Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 >>>>Ladders are for painting houses. Do what the rest of us do, borrow a chair on which to stand.<<<<< Yeah.... THAT really helps you look like a real professional! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerald_donnelly Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 I carry a small one in my trunk. I have used it for formals when shooting tall people. I don't use it all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 I leave mine folded up when I am not using it. This makes it less attractive to kids and prevents people from using it as a trash can or putting drinks down on it. Off camera flashes are also attractive to kids, as well as the clasps on your equipment case--can't stop using your equipment just because kids like to play with it. I need my ladder--I'm only 5'2" and don't like to shoot up people's noses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_jensen1 Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 <<Ladders are for painting houses. Do what the rest of us do, borrow a chair on which to stand.>> Bwahahah...seriously though...falling off a chair at a wedding makes you look like a real butthead. Answer me this: When is the last time you tried standing on a chair without thinking or actually saying, "Whoa whoa whoa!!!!" and wiggling...I also think it's hot when a chair actually collapses under you and the whole wedding stops to see who is on the floor, bleeding. I recently bought a LADDERKART at Adorama and I have been knocked out by it. It's like $60, but it's well-built, folds up nicely and doubles as a cart for up to 250lbs. One of the main things I like about it though is that it has side rails that you can anchor your ankles against as well as lean up against the front so you can get much more stable than with a regular ladder. Nice big rubbery wheels that roll beautifully. Oh and it has a REALLY nice squishy handle. I highly recommend it. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicola inglis Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 I bought a cute folding wooden step ladder that is a bit heavy but very stable. It has a handle on the top and is a useful height as a posing stool also. So far I'm very happy with it and I far prefer it to the light aluminium stool I used to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William Michael Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 3 step folding aluminium ladder with wide (i.e. deep) steps. Wide top step, twice the size of the steps like a small table (never stand on it). I understand tradesmen use this type of ladder`s top step as a adapted work bench, it rests just about navel height. On top platform I have mounted two (diagonally opposite) quick release tripod plates which double as mounts for flash heads / brackets / umbrellas / reflector frames and monorails for view camera. I have adapted a (once leather belt), now Velcro strap for carriage and also securing two tripods and up to two umbrellas to the sides, when the ladder is folded. A very compact and reasonably light weight unit. WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_isle Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 . . . and if your liability insurance is "paid up" that somehow makes it OK to leave a dangerous ladder wherever you want? I hope I misread that statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimberly_smith___anchorage Posted February 27, 2007 Share Posted February 27, 2007 At the last wedding I shot, the building had these awesome window sills that I could climb up to. Why bring a ladder, I just wear rock climbing shoes. :-)<BR><BR> On a more serious not, I use a chair. I'm only a little over 100 lbs, so one hasn't collapsed on me yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now