where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
Lots of gear threads lately, so I thought I'd start one a little more philosophical.
What's your favorite subject to photograph? It could be a type of thing, a specific thing or person, something you've only seen once, or whatever.
I've been looking for ways to expand my horizons (not deepwater, though) and remembered the big water droplet discussion that we had last year. Extra credit if you have any stories/tips related to photographing your favorite subject.
Sony DSR450WSL (airplane interior mock-up in my living room.)
Favorite subjects: Alejandra and public transit systems.
A subject of many stills, and featured in two of my short films (frame-grabs, shown here), Alejandra (above, below) is by far, the easiest-going, most compliant subject to photograph. Always lovely, never a complaint (even when being dragged through the dirt, or running half-naked through a subway station), and graced with a body type that photographs perfectly, she's a pleasure to work with.
The scene above was lit completely by available-light. Just out-of-frame, to the left, is a large bank of floor-to-ceiling windows that's letting in a large volume of diffuse daylight, mostly reflecting off of the sky and the backyard grounds. This provided the primary key, and because it was all indirect light, it was very soft. A 4' x 8' silvered reflector was positioned to the right of camera for a bit of fill.
My other area of photographic interest is public transportation: airplanes, airports, metro stations, trains, streets, freeways, as well as other interesting, modern-urban architectural structures and environments.
Sony DSR450WSL (underground Metro station at Union Station, Los Angeles.)
Shooting in the Metro:
Shooting with neither a permit nor insurance, we shot for about an hour and a half at this location. We were stopped by two sets of Metro police. The first pair said, "You can't be in this area without a ticket." I said, "Do you want us to stop shooting, or do you just want us to buy a ticket?" They replied, "Well, you can't be in this area without a ticket." So, we promptly went to the kiosk and bought some tickets. We then proceeded to continue shooting.
About 30 minutes later, a second pair of officers stopped us on the platform . . . Police: "What are you shooting?" Me: "Uh . . . a student film?" Police: "Well, how long are you going to be?" Inside, I'm thinking, "YES!" Me: "Umm, about 20 minutes?" Police: "Okay . . . try to hurry up." We continued to shoot for another 40 minutes, until finally, the loudspeakers on the platform announced: "THERE IS NO SHOOTING PERMITTED ON THE PLATFORM!" I put my camera away, and we left. We had gotten most of the shots we had wanted by then.
I've shot in the Metro before, and was told I could shoot, but couldn't use a tripod. Upon entering Union Station, a security guard saw my camera (a full-sized, shoulder-mount, video camera), and asked if I was going to be shooting in there, and I quickly replied, "no," and hurried by her. While I'm still unsure if shooting is explicitly prohibited in the station, it certainly isn't encouraged. However, if you have production insurance, the permit for shooting on any MTA property is actually free. Although, there is an additional fee charged, used to pay an MTA staffer to monitor your activity.
How this post relates to my still photography:
I'm planning a series of new still photographs of both Alejandra, and another model, to be shot in many of these exact, same locations, with both a full-frame D-SLR (D700, or better), and my "new" Nikon N90s, 35mm SLR (shooting black and white) for all-new portfolio pieces. While I'm still in the planning stages for these shoots, I'm very confident that the tools and techniques I've chosen to use will meet both the technical challenges and aesthetic goals of each shoot, and hopefully make for some successful photographs that can really stand on their own merit.
Kudos to NR:
Joining this site and, of all places, recently joining a skiing forum, has really re-inspired my interests in still photography again. After quite a long creative lull, I'm really excited about photography once more, and I'm anxious to execute ideas that, although have long been envisioned, have never been photographed. An often-used method to gain inspiration is to view others' work, and among the most inspiring for me here has been Regulator's, and for that, I thank him generously. My thanks also goes to NR's Administrator for creating this site in the first place, its moderators for maintaining this fun and informative forum, and all of the other members here for sharing both their work and their knowledge.
My living room is a mock-up of "Ten Forward" from the starship Enterprise.
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I guess my favorite subject is whatever is next on my list. Although I've been taking pictures forever, there is always something out there I want to try that I haven't done before.
Niko for some reason that doesn't surprise me, but I had you more of a romulan warbird fan.
studio460 said:
Sony DSR450WSL (airplane interior mock-up in my living room.)Favorite subjects: Alejandra and public transit systems.
A subject of many stills, and featured in two of my short films (frame-grabs, shown here), Alejandra (above, below) is by far, the easiest-going, most compliant subject to photograph. Always beautiful, never a complaint (even when being dragged through the dirt, or running half-naked through a subway station), and graced with a body type that photographs perfectly, she's a pleasure to work with.
The scene above was lit completely with available-light. Just out-of-frame, to the left, are a large bank of floor-to-ceiling windows that are letting in a large volume of light, mostly reflecting off of the sky and the backyard grounds. This provided the primary key, and because it was open-shade, it was very soft. A 4' x 8' silvered reflector was positioned to the right of camera for a bit of fill.
My other area of photographic interest is public transportation: airplanes, airports, metro stations, trains, streets, freeways, as well as other interesting, modern-urban architectural structures and environments.
Sony DSR450WSL (underground Metro station at Union Station, Los Angeles.)Shooting in the Metro:
Shooting with neither a permit nor insurance, we shot for about an hour and a half at this location. We were stopped by two sets of Metro police. They said, "You can't be in this area without a ticket." I said, "Do you want us to stop shooting, or do you just want us to buy a ticket?" They replied, "Well, you can't be in this area without a ticket." So, we promptly went to the kiosk and bought some tickets. We then proceeded to continue shooting.
The second time we were stopped was on the platform . . . Police: "What are you shooting?" Me: "Uh . . . a student film?" Police: "Well, how long are you going to be?" Inside, I'm thinking, "YES!" Me: "Umm, about 20 minutes?" Police: "Okay . . . try to hurry up." We continued to shoot for another 40 minutes, until finally, the loudspeakers on the platform announced: "THERE IS NO SHOOTING PERMITTED ON THE PLATFORM!" I put my camera away, and we left. We had gotten most of the shots we had wanted by then.
I've shot in the Metro before, and was told, I could shoot, but that I couldn't use a tripod. Upon entering Union Station, a security guard saw my camera (a DSR450, a full-sized, shoulder-mount, 24p video camera--it's kinda obvious), and asked if I was going to be shooting in there, and I quickly replied, "no," and hurried by her. While I'm still unsure if shooting is explicitly prohibited in the station, it certainly isn't encouraged. However, if you do have production insurance, the permit for shooting on any MTA property is actually free. Although, there is an additional fee charged, used to pay an MTA staffer to monitor your activity.
I shoot in La union station all the time with no problem (can you say 300mm f2.8) with the metro station in NOHO Ive had problems...
tigers, of course :)
kyoshinikon said:
I shoot in La union station all the time with no problem (can you say 300mm f2.8) with the metro station in NOHO Ive had problems...
Stills are often no problem. I was shooting with the camera shown below, which tends to attract a lot of attention. As I mentioned earlier, I've shot video previously in the Metro and was shut down just for putting down a tripod. LAX, on the other hand, allows both still and video cameras to shoot anywhere the public is allowed access, except for security areas. Although I often get stopped by airport police anyway, and am queried to what I'm shooting, they always permit me to continue to shoot.
Sony DSR450WSL
My favorite subject is my best friend Morley, he never complains, listens well and always has a funny look on his face.
He always makes me smile.
I also enjoy getting rooftop access in the evening hours. Capturing angles that aren't typically seen.
Studio.. really like that escalator shot! dynamic & captures city life.
I'm sure people of you have figured out my favorite subject is birds, but I do have some other subjects I like to shoot.
Tech stuff, and lenses!
studio460 said:
Stills are often no problem. I was shooting with the camera shown below, which tends to attract a lot of attention. As I mentioned earlier, I've shot video previously in the Metro and was shut down just for putting down a tripod. LAX, on the other hand, allows both still and video cameras to shoot anywhere the public is allowed access, except for security areas. Although I often get stopped by airport police anyway, and am queried to what I'm shooting, they always permit me to continue to shoot.
Sony DSR450WSL
I can see that thing is huge. I sometimes get dirty looks when using my 300mm f2.8...
It reminds me of that time a fellow in venice beach asked me about the zoom on my 80-200mm and thought it went super far. A comparison with his p&s proved what had the "superior" zoom and how silly it is to think that big lenses do like a 5600mm or something. I'm sure you could get the footage you want with a $200 camcorder but its the controls, glass, and quality you need and not the "zoom"
That Sony has a flip screen so it's obviously only for amateur use. Swivel LCD's are too fragile for pro work :^)
And Studio you do realize that this is a Nikon forum right?
Studio460 We have a fairly similar story about places we like to shoot.
I did a lot of still photography shoots in the metro, sometimes with subjects, sometimes doing some candid photography or simply architecture shots... I also shot some music videos there for various projects, using video and/or stop motion.
I'm in Montreal, I really like the metro system here, it seems that when something is built by the state as a public place, they put the highest quality materials here, every single time I use the metro I tell myself: wow this is among the most beautiful floor/walls/ceilings I've ever seen.
Of course I had lots of problems with the law, never had a fine though.
I've seen lots of scenarios, sometimes employees asked me if I was allowed, that time I kinda replied on the offensive and he said: I'm just asking.. Some other employees asked me if I had a permit, I often replied that I did and they left me alone, I guess those were just cool employees who didn't want to cause me any trouble but still had to do their job... Others would ask me to leave...
I remember asking for a permit once for a music video and it's so complicated.. basically you have to be under the supervision of someone for the whole time, you can't use tripods or lighting, it has to be outside of the rush hours, yet between 9 and 5 (because someone has to supervise you).. so you get these blocks, from 10 am to 12 am and from 1 pm to 3 pm and that's it... no week ends, no evenings, nothing.. They just make it as complicated as possible to make sure no body shoots there.. well I shot there anyway so fuk'em.
I often try to carry my camera just to get those "good timing" shots in the metro.. I love our metro.
My favorites tend to be street photography and cemeteries, though I'll generally shoot anything that catches my eye. Question for those of you who shoot in public trans areas: How do you go about getting permits? There are a few stations I'd like to shoot, but I'd like to do it without getting harrassed/arrested if I can help it.
aslightdelay said:
Question for those of you who shoot in public trans areas: How do you go about getting permits? There are a few stations I'd like to shoot, but I'd like to do it without getting harrassed/arrested if I can help it.
[Note: off-topic, but a direct reply to the previous post--should've just created a new thread, I guess]
You don't want a permit. Shoot fast, and steal all your locations!
They won't arrest you--the most they ever do is tell you to stop shooting. Plus, shooting with still gear is much more stealthy than shooting with filmmaking equipment (though, obviously, that's now changing). Often, you'll simply go unnoticed by both staff and police with just a still camera.
Two caveats:
1. Many public transit venues do not allow tripods (I presume, for liability reasons).
2. Post-9/11 concerns often prompt the general public to "report" anyone seen with a "large lens" at airports, major metropolitan transit systems, bridges, etc.
Oddly, LAX has "no official policy" regarding the taking of video and photographs. I was stopped recently by LAX airport police (for the 9/11 reason), but I was allowed to continue to shoot, and was told, without me even asking, "It is legal to shoot here."
In Los Angeles, there is no permit fee for shooting in the Metro. However, to obtain the permit, you need to show proof of liability insurance (typically for $1-$2 million USD of coverage). For a simple, one-day shoot, for that amount of coverage, with say, one still camera and one model (these details affect the cost), the insurance would run something around $400-$700. The MTA also makes you hire one of their staffers to follow you around while you shoot. Typically, at a fairly high day rate of like $500 for eight hours.
While MTA and the State of California permits are generally "free," City of Los Angeles permits do cost money (plus the cost of production insurance). The show I work for once shot near the Hollywood sign for like two hours. I saw the permit. It cost $1,200.
But in general, my advice: shoot until they stop you!
jbl said:
I've seen lots of scenarios, sometimes employees asked me if I was allowed, that time I kinda replied on the offensive and he said: I'm just asking.. Some other employees asked me if I had a permit, I often replied that I did and they left me alone, I guess those were just cool employees who didn't want to cause me any trouble but still had to do their job... Others would ask me to leave...
Ah, a kindred spirit! Yes, I love big city transit systems! Beautiful!
[Note: got carried away answering the last post--then I went on about this post, sorry kinda off-topic]
Back to the, "Can I shoot here thing . . . " That's why it's good to know where you can and can't shoot. I know that I'm allowed to shoot from any public sidewalk, as long as I don't block the sidewalk. I know I can shoot at LAX. Private property, however, is a whole 'nother deal. You need insurance, permission, and sometimes a property release (permission to make an image of the building). Often these requests are denied. Also, in many jurisdictions, even if you're shooting on private property, the city may still make you get a permit (which means you also need insurance). They may also require that you hire a fire marshall (at $80/hour, with an eight-hour minimum).
Since it's so prohibitively expensive to shoot "with permission" I've just learned to adapt. Know where you're going to shoot from, and shoot quickly. Act "professionally." Meaning, look like you're "working." Like "on assignment" or something. Look "bored." Look confident and work fast, like you've done this a million times before. If you can, establish a relationship with a local newspaper, however thin, and use that in your reflex reply to the "What are you shooting?" question: "I'm a freelancer on assignment for The Blah-Blah Daily."
Great information/advice, Studio. Thanks!
Regulator, I guess its fair to say you are a dog lover like me then?^^ How much do you pay him/her per shoot? Or do you pay in treats? haha Golden retrievers are great.
I have always loved shooting storm clouds and running water. I would be in heaven if I ever was able to combine the two with a wide angle lens. For example, a raging waterfall in the forground, nice landscape with nice tones in the middle and then a nice big sky with dark nasty looking clouds.
One of my favorite subjects are wild Brown Bears. I attach a photo of a stuffed bear that was given to me by one of my glamour models to look over me so I wouldn't get eaten up by one. I also love to photograph wild tigers. Now how do I attach a photo to NR?
Unfortunately the forum won't host the pics, Davey. A flickr account is probably easiest because it will generate code you can just paste here or if it's already online, replace the URL in this code with the pic's location:
<img src="http://www.fakeurl.org/name.jpg" />
Please read the FAQ and Forum Rules to learn how to post pics. You wouldn't want us to host your photos because then you'd lose control over what we do with your pics.
kanuck said:
Regulator, I guess its fair to say you are a dog lover like me then?^^ How much do you pay him/her per shoot? Or do you pay in treats? haha Golden retrievers are great.e big sky
Yeah, Morley is my best friend. He listens very well and doesn't need to tempted by treats. Even though he gets lots anyways. Morley isn't full Golden retriever, he's half Chow Chow.
My thanks to Jonnyapple for the path to photos on the forum via flicker. Obviously I do not use that yet! I will get an account established ASAP. My work though always seems to be calling. I could see the part Chow in Morley. I have more dog photo background than I care to dwell on here. There are book covers for dogs that are mine and a file of full page ads. I also have done some wild wolf and coyote photography, and have found them to be among the most elusive subjects. At least as much so as mountain lion.
NikoDoby said:
Please read the FAQ and Forum Rules to learn how to post pics. You wouldn't want us to host your photos because then you'd lose control over what we do with your pics.
I of course meant: Fortunately, the forum won't...
DaveyJ said:
I also have done some wild wolf and coyote photography, and have found them to be among the most elusive subjects. At least as much so as mountain lion.
Davey, did you miss the memo? You should have hired a wolf. http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=1384
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