Creative Choices when You’ve Got a Low Level Camera To Still Get Portfolio Level Shots
Costumes, makeup, awesome sets AND catering… what more could a girl want? lol.
But seriously, being able to “tag along” to the Steampunk the Thames calendar shoot for the 2023 edition, was such a dream. Massive thanks, first of all, to the Thames Camera Club for setting it all up and allowing us to tcome along!
Imagine walking in to a pre-made steampunk world ready for you: someone else doing all the hard work organising everything, professional hair and makeup, access to Steamy Sisters entire wardrobe (think: entire warehouse full of incredible steampunk clothes and accessories!!), and I was even able to bring my girls along with me for some of the time to enjoy the day!
There were SO MANY amazing shots we could have got on the day (and some of the other members did get some of those shots) - but, there were a few restrictions that influenced my creative choices to still come out with some portfolio worthy shots.
Restrictions that Influenced my Creative Choices
One: Inconsistent Lighting
We were in a giant warehouse using a combination of natural lighting coming through some clear roofing patches, the lights in the warehouse itself (think old incandescents), and some model soft boxes and occasionally strobe flash lighting.
So - getting those shots when the clouds were covering the sun, and the lighting wasn’t super ideal, provided to be a challenge.
Choice number one was deciding that “light and airy” was definitely a no-go with this style of shoot. Deciding that I would either be upping the “grunge” level on the final images (pushing the grain and adding more texture to it) or relying on softening them to get around the extra grain I was getting in camera from pushing my ISO higher, was the first creative choice I made.
Understanding what your lighting and ISO settings mean when it comes to the final edit, could be the difference between heartache over not getting the perfect image you were hoping for and something interesting, arty or moody that inspires people to “stop the scroll” and discuss your work.
One of the young “models” who was a bit self concious - he just happened to glance at me as I clicked the shot while he was waiting for the set up. I knew I wanted to “grunge up” the photo even more, to add to the excellent makeup - so I actually added a concrete overlay in post processing, resulting in this cracked, grainy, almost old looking styleD image.
Two: Not Getting Your Ideal Angle / Shooting position
One of the restrictions on this shoot was that - although we could move around fairly freely - I was aware that there were about half a dozen of us trying to get shots, not to mention the lead photographer, Richard, who was actually in charge of the shoot and responsible for the final images for the calendar. So I was actively trying not to get in anyone’s way, while still finding a spot that I felt good about.
I also caught a lot of shots while the others were setting up. While they were waiting, before everyone was actually ready, while they were distracted and not posed. I definitely got some of my best shots from those “in between” moments when the models were relaxed and not self concious.
Just make the most of your angles and play into them rather than getting frustrated that it’s not the “ideal” shot.
Kneeling down and getting a lower shot made the “Impaler” (the knife thrower) look more menacing and added to the craziness of the vaudivillian style act.
Three: Using Cheap / Stock lenses with Higher F Stops in Low Light
I used to only have 3 lenses - a stock 18-55, a stock 70-200 and my favourite, the “nifty 50” 50mm prime - which, once we bought that, became my “go to” lens for everything… except in this situation.
The 70-200 zoom stock lens had a minimum F Stop of 4.5. at 70mm, and went up to 5.6 as you zoomed in… which, in already “dodgy” and more-on-the-dark-side lighting condition, was, well - less than ideal.
But again - making the decision that I was ok with the added texture from having to push the ISO - made the creative choices easier.
In many situations, you will have restrictions (even with higher level cameras and equipment). making creative choices on the fly as you encounter them will become your super power as a photographer.
So I leaned into two different aspects of the same sliders - pushing the texture and clarity on some, and pulling it right back on others to give an almost dreamy look.
A lot of photography - especially when you have a lower level camera and lenses - is about making peace with the styles you are going to get and it almost forces you to be more creative in your end product.
Pushing the clarity and texture sliders down gave a softer look - playing in fantastically to cover stray hairs, and show off the beautiful soft makup and I just loved the contrast with the softer look, and the harsh shadows. I didn’t nail the focal point on her eyes, but it’s still one of my favourite images.
FOUR: Look for the Details, the Texture
If you can’t see it all, look for details. People put a lot of work into details - the makeup, the stitching, the clean shoes. The funky bits that make up the texture to the whole. Focus on something no one else is, and you’ll come out with shots that no one else is getting.
FIVE: All of The Above Combined
So here I was: in a low light, low angle (from kneeling on the floor trying not to get in the way of the other photog’s), stock lens, higher F stop situation… so I had to make yet another creative choice: Getting the whole scene was not an option for me.
Because I was lower, if I used my wide angle - I got all the background too. The lights, the wall behind, the other photographers… so I made the creative decision that most of my images were going to be close up portraits, rather than stressing about all the things I couldn’t control. So even though I was missing half the scene - I was still able to get images that I’m proud to put up as part of my portfolio.
Some of my Favourite Images from the Shoot
Don’t let your equipment stop you from taking photo’s - just learn the limits of your equipment, and then find your strengths. Although most of these images are grainy - I love that it adds to the vaudivillian feel of them all. Just be proud of your own work and never stop learning, testing and growing. You’ve got this.
Live the Creative Life - Capture your legacy.
Tracy
