Dana Hursey Photography BlogDana Hursey Photography BlogLos Angeles Photographer Dana Hursey shares what litlle he knows on his blog Articles
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 7
2008-04-08 22:48:00 Monday arrived and the shoot was one day away. The set stylist arrived at the studio and started his magic. The assistants went and picked up all of the rental equipment as well as all of our in-house equipment and we made several trips over to the studio to load in. A better part of the morning was simply organizing everything and setting up the cameras and computers to make sure all was functioning. We set up some preliminary lights and assessed the situation and decided on renting a few more items to fill out our arsenal. After lunch and another run to pick up the additional rental items we started in earnest on pre-lighting. The individual portraits we would do were fairly straight forward as far as the set was concerned. We would simply be shooting them against a simple wall flat that was to be of the same material as the larger set. We wanted to have this be separate from the large set so as to be able to light each set independently and be able to start shooting while the s... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 6
2008-04-08 00:17:00 Shoot day is drawing near and we had the studio reserved for a Monday and Tuesday. Monday was to load in, build sets, and pre-light. Tuesday was for final lighting and of course the shoot and then we needed to strike the sets and wrap out on the same day. But before Monday arrived. A lot of final checks. We called all of the talent including the animal handler and gave them call times and locations. The schedule was set up something like this; We knew Hair, Make-up & Wardrobe would need some time with the guys as they came in. And we knew that we would still want to finesse the light a bit when we got in on the morning of the shoot, so we planned to shoot individual portraits of each of the models to accompany the main shot and we planned to do those first. That way we could stagger their call times and by the time we were done with the portraits, all of the talent would be there and in costume, and we could proceed to the main shot. It would also give everyone time to get the... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 6
2008-04-08 00:17:00 Shoot day is drawing near and we had the studio reserved for a Monday and Tuesday. Monday was to load in, build sets, and pre-light. Tuesday was for final lighting and of course the shoot and then we needed to strike the sets and wrap out on the same day. But before Monday arrived. A lot of final checks. We called all of the talent including the animal handler and gave them call times and locations. The schedule was set up something like this; We knew Hair, Make-up & Wardrobe would need some time with the guys as they came in. And we knew that we would still want to finesse the light a bit when we got in on the morning of the shoot, so we planned to shoot individual portraits of each of the models to accompany the main shot and we planned to do those first. That way we could stagger their call times and by the time we were done with the portraits, all of the talent would be there and in costume, and we could proceed to the main shot. It would also give everyone time to get the gis... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 5
2008-04-04 19:26:00 Once we have had an initial discussion about creative, a lot of things start to happen simultaneously. One would be casting, which we have already talked about. Once casting is done and talent is locked in, it is time to get all of the model info to the wardrobe stylist so that they can start shopping. Certainly a discussion with the stylist will be necessary so that they are clear on what is needed. It is often a good idea to have the various stylists talk to each other to ensure that there is no cross over or nothing forgotten as a result of one stylist thinking the other was taking care of something. A longer process is props and sets. As all of these items usually have to be approved by the client. For this particular shoot, since I was the client it was easier to spend an afternoon going around town with the stylist to go over things rather than him e mailing hundreds of photos of what is out there. It also spawned conversation about alternatives which was great. At this time... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 5
2008-04-04 19:26:00 Once we have had an initial discussion about creative, a lot of things start to happen simultaneously. One would be casting, which we have already talked about. Once casting is done and talent is locked in, it is time to get all of the model info to the wardrobe stylist so that they can start shopping. Certainly a discussion with the stylist will be necessary so that they are clear on what is needed. It is often a good idea to have the various stylists talk to each other to ensure that there is no cross over or nothing forgotten as a result of one stylist thinking the other was taking care of something. A longer process is props and sets. As all of these items usually have to be approved by the client. For this particular shoot, since I was the client it was easier to spend an afternoon going around town with the stylist to go over things rather than him e mailing hundreds of photos of what is out there. It also spawned conversation about alternatives which was great. At this time... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Adobe Lightroom v2.0 Public Beta Available
2008-04-03 18:47:00 Another quick segue from the Case Study. My assistant Dylan pointed me to the new public beta for Lightroom 2.0 that Adobe is running. Right now our system is operating smoothly, and while I am the first to want to try the latest thing, I am going to exercise restraint in this instance and opt for stability. It is sounding like the full version might be available late summer or early fall. But check it out here. Download and have fun! More About: Public , Beta
Adobe Lightroom v2.0 Public Beta Available
2008-04-03 18:47:00 Another quick segue from the Case Study. My assistant Dylan pointed me to the new public beta for Lightroom 2.0 that Adobe is running. Right now our system is operating smoothly, and while I am the first to want to try the latest thing, I am going to exercise restraint in this instance and opt for stability. It is sounding like the full version might be available late summer or early fall. But check it out here. Download and have fun! More About: Public , Beta
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 4
2008-04-03 02:35:00 Continuing with the Case Study ... After we would do the estimate and make any adjustments required by the client or agency to secure the project, we would get some kind of commitment from the agency, whether it would be a P.O., a signed copy of the estimate or an advance check, we would just want to make sure to have something in hand before we proceeded. But once we got the official okay, the next step would be to lock in the dates. So, that would mean putting a "hold" on the studio, assistants, all of the various stylists, and any talent that may have already been decided, although it is more likely that that would still be yet to come. If one was using a producer, most of this would fall under their responsibility. We haven't talked much about producers, but if your budget can afford one, they make your life infinitely easier as it is up to them to worry about most of these details and up to them to make sure it all comes together seamlessly. The majority of the stuff we wil... More About: Photo , Production , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 4
2008-04-03 02:35:00 Continuing with the Case Study ... After we would do the estimate and make any adjustments required by the client or agency to secure the project, we would get some kind of commitment from the agency, whether it would be a P.O., a signed copy of the estimate or an advance check, we would just want to make sure to have something in hand before we proceeded. But once we got the official okay, the next step would be to lock in the dates. So, that would mean putting a "hold" on the studio, assistants, all of the various stylists, and any talent that may have already been decided, although it is more likely that that would still be yet to come. If one was using a producer, most of this would fall under their responsibility. We haven't talked much about producers, but if your budget can afford one, they make your life infinitely easier as it is up to them to worry about most of these details and up to them to make sure it all comes together seamlessly. The majority of the stuff we wil... More About: Photo , Production , Part
Hasselblad Phocus Beta Released
2008-04-01 20:17:00 A quick break from the Production Case Study we have been sharing the past few days to mention that Hasselblad has FINALLY released a beta of their new software "Phocus" for capturing and processing files taken with their cameras. We downloaded it yesterday and played around with it a bit. They have been promising this software since December and we have been anxiously awaiting it, despite the fact that it is still only a beta (test) version. The software takes on the look and workflow similar to Lightroom and Aperture although certainly not as extensive. But it also offers the ability to capture directly into it, which is still lacking in the other pieces of software. While this software is a VAST improvement over its predecessor FlexColor I have to say that after doing side by side comparisons I still prefer Lightroom despite its inability to tether to cameras. The workaround we use for the Canon's is to enable Lightroom's Auto Import Feature from a "watched" folder and t... More About: Beta , Released
Hasselblad Phocus Beta Released
2008-04-01 20:17:00 A quick break from the Production Case Study we have been sharing the past few days to mention that Hasselblad has FINALLY released a beta of their new software "Phocus" for capturing and processing files taken with their cameras. We downloaded it yesterday and played around with it a bit. They have been promising this software since December and we have been anxiously awaiting it, despite the fact that it is still only a beta (test) version. The software takes on the look and workflow similar to Lightroom and Aperture although certainly not as extensive. But it also offers the ability to capture directly into it, which is still lacking in the other pieces of software. While this software is a VAST improvement over its predecessor FlexColor I have to say that after doing side by side comparisons I still prefer Lightroom despite its inability to tether to cameras. The workaround we use for the Canon's is to enable Lightroom's Auto Import Feature from a "watched" folder and t... More About: Beta , Released
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 3
2008-03-31 19:32:00 So I jumped ahead a bit in the last post, in talking about casting. That would normally come later in the process. I am attempting to share the order of the process as well as the details. Normally once we would get the illustration or layout from the agency we would have to estimate out the project. Whether it was a competitive estimate (where we are basically bidding against other photographers to get the job) or even if we pretty much have the job secured we would need to provide costs for the production. Most of the time the agency has to produce a Purchase Order or P.O. and that number would ultimately have to go on our final invoice when doing our billing. The P.O. always lists a total amount for the job which we need to stay within 10% of. So the estimating process consists of looking at all of the factors and variable of each job and coming up with solid costs and fees to produce it. Every job is different and much of the time there is an element or two that needs to be r... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 3
2008-03-31 19:32:00 So I jumped ahead a bit in the last post, in talking about casting. That would normally come later in the process. I am attempting to share the order of the process as well as the details. Normally once we would get the illustration or layout from the agency we would have to estimate out the project. Whether it was a competitive estimate (where we are basically bidding against other photographers to get the job) or even if we pretty much have the job secured we would need to provide costs for the production. Most of the time the agency has to produce a Purchase Order or P.O. and that number would ultimately have to go on our final invoice when doing our billing. The P.O. always lists a total amount for the job which we need to stay within 10% of. So the estimating process consists of looking at all of the factors and variable of each job and coming up with solid costs and fees to produce it. Every job is different and much of the time there is an element or two that needs to be r... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 2
2008-03-28 21:26:00 The next step I took on this project was to pull together some reference photos that I could use to accompany the illustration when showing to the Set Stylist, Wardrobe Stylist, and Hair & Make-up Stylist. Especially because this was a period piece, I wanted to make sure I could convey the flavor and era that I was going for. The Set Stylist pulled a lot of reference from books. Much of my reference I simply got by browsing photo archives online. (I really can't share the reference photos I used here, because of copyright issues. It probably would not be a problem, but I need to respect others copyrights as I would hope they would respect mine, and in this instance if I were to put them here, that would be "publishing" without their consent) These reference photos were also helpful for casting the talent. On this particular project we started to work with a casting company and they got us a few submissions, and ultimately one of our models. But we ended up doing casting for the ... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 2
2008-03-28 21:26:00 The next step I took on this project was to pull together some reference photos that I could use to accompany the illustration when showing to the Set Stylist, Wardrobe Stylist, and Hair & Make-up Stylist. Especially because this was a period piece, I wanted to make sure I could convey the flavor and era that I was going for. The Set Stylist pulled a lot of reference from books. Much of my reference I simply got by browsing photo archives online. (I really can't share the reference photos I used here, because of copyright issues. It probably would not be a problem, but I need to respect others copyrights as I would hope they would respect mine, and in this instance if I were to put them here, that would be "publishing" without their consent) These reference photos were also helpful for casting the talent. On this particular project we started to work with a casting company and they got us a few submissions, and ultimately one of our models. But we ended up doing casting for ... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 1
2008-03-27 22:30:00 About two months ago I came up with a concept for a shoot that I thought would be fun to do. Initially it felt like just another idea that might come and go and never get produced because I was too busy. But the image was seared into my consciousness and soon I realized it would not go away until I shot it. It became a small obsession. So once I started the ball rolling on actually doing the shot I thought it might make for a good series of posts, documenting the steps we go through, putting the production together. In most ways this production was much like any other larger production we might do for a client... The only difference is that this was a personal shoot, so I was the client. So here we go... Once I had the concept I quickly realized that it was easy for me to talk about it, because the image was already finished in my head. But it may not be so easy for others who would become involved in the production to look into my head to see the same image. The solution was to g... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
Photo Shoot Production Case Study - Part 1
2008-03-27 22:30:00 About two months ago I came up with a concept for a shoot that I thought would be fun to do. Initially it felt like just another idea that might come and go and never get produced because I was too busy. But the image was seared into my consciousness and soon I realized it would not go away until I shot it. It became a small obsession. So once I started the ball rolling on actually doing the shot I thought it might make for a good series of posts, documenting the steps we go through, putting the production together. In most ways this production was much like any other larger production we might do for a client... The only difference is that this was a personal shoot, so I was the client. So here we go... Once I had the concept I quickly realized that it was easy for me to talk about it, because the image was already finished in my head. But it may not be so easy for others who would become involved in the production to look into my head to see the same image. The solution was to g... More About: Photo , Study , Production , Case , Part
StudioLighting.Net
2008-03-26 23:39:00 Last week Studio Lighting.net posted a PodCast of an interview they did with me about a month ago. Bill and Ed are great guys and easy to talk to and their web site is chock-full of useful information, tips and interviews. Check out the podcast here. And check out their full web site here.
StudioLighting.Net
2008-03-26 23:39:00 Last week Studio Lighting.net posted a PodCast of an interview they did with me about a month ago. Bill and Ed are great guys and easy to talk to and their web site is chock-full of useful information, tips and interviews. Check out the podcast here. And check out their full web site here.
Testing 1...2...3...
2008-03-24 17:50:00 We have been out of town for a couple weeks, but we are back and today we are doing pre-production for a test shoot tomorrow. Once we get the shot done I will do a bunch of posts walking you through the process of what we did and showing the step and ultimately the final shot. Stay Tuned! More About: Testing
Testing 1...2...3...
2008-03-24 17:50:00 We have been out of town for a couple weeks, but we are back and today we are doing pre-production for a test shoot tomorrow. Once we get the shot done I will do a bunch of posts walking you through the process of what we did and showing the step and ultimately the final shot. Stay Tuned! More About: Testing
We are off again!
2008-03-07 23:59:00 We are heading out on location for all of next week. So if we get any spare time we'll try to get a post in here or there. Also a shot or two if we take any good ones! Meantime have a great week and we see ya back here on the 18th!
We are off again!
2008-03-07 23:59:00 We are heading out on location for all of next week. So if we get any spare time we'll try to get a post in here or there. Also a shot or two if we take any good ones! Meantime have a great week and we see ya back here on the 18th!
New Mac Computers
2008-03-06 18:55:00 Our new MacBook Pro laptop did indeed come in yesterday, literally as I was typing the last sentence of yesterdays post. It is all up and running and should be a really great improvement over it's predecessor. Although I am sure the increased processor speed on both that and the iMac will be an improvement, it is really the increase in available RAM that is showing up as the biggest improvement. On the iMac, going from 2.0GHz to 2.8GHz is not all that big of an increase, but doubling the RAM from 2GB to 4GB really made a big difference in performance! So with having two of the latest computers available we should be set for at least... oh.... 6 months, if we are lucky! More About: Computers
New Mac Computers
2008-03-06 18:55:00 Our new MacBook Pro laptop did indeed come in yesterday, literally as I was typing the last sentence of yesterdays post. It is all up and running and should be a really great improvement over it's predecessor. Although I am sure the increased processor speed on both that and the iMac will be an improvement, it is really the increase in available RAM that is showing up as the biggest improvement. On the iMac, going from 2.0GHz to 2.8GHz is not all that big of an increase, but doubling the RAM from 2GB to 4GB really made a big difference in performance! So with having two of the latest computers available we should be set for at least... oh.... 6 months, if we are lucky! More About: Computers
Glossy Mac Screens
2008-03-05 19:27:00 So I have to formally apologize to one of my assistants, Dylan Borgman. Last summer we were doing a big production, and everyone on set had their laptops running. It was quite amusing! Nothing but MacBook Pros all over the place. Well, Dylan had just gotten one of the new ones with the glossy screen. And I couldn't understand why anyone would want one of those. I felt the reflections would be way too distracting and annoying and thought it was just crazy, and told him so. He just kind of shrugged his shoulders and let it go with a "whatever". It was all in good fun, but with a dash of seriouness thrown in. Late last year we did a corporate shoot where we had two cameras running and had one connected to my laptop, and Dylan brought his to connect the other camera. The scene we were shooting was the exact same scene and we had the two laptops side by side. Although I still thought the concept of the hi-gloss screen odd, as I stood there with the client looking at both computers, I ... More About: Glossy
Glossy Mac Screens
2008-03-05 19:27:00 So I have to formally apologize to one of my assistants, Dylan Borgman. Last summer we were doing a big production, and everyone on set had their laptops running. It was quite amusing! Nothing but MacBook Pros all over the place. Well, Dylan had just gotten one of the new ones with the glossy screen. And I couldn't understand why anyone would want one of those. I felt the reflections would be way too distracting and annoying and thought it was just crazy, and told him so. He just kind of shrugged his shoulders and let it go with a "whatever". It was all in good fun, but with a dash of seriouness thrown in. Late last year we did a corporate shoot where we had two cameras running and had one connected to my laptop, and Dylan brought his to connect the other camera. The scene we were shooting was the exact same scene and we had the two laptops side by side. Although I still thought the concept of the hi-gloss screen odd, as I stood there with the client looking at both computers, I ... More About: Glossy
Renaming Files
2008-03-04 19:22:00 Don't know about you, but quite often we need to rename a lot of files at once. Sometimes we are adding a serial number, other times we need to eliminate characters, or add a prefix or suffix. It used to be a real chore till our stock agency (Masterfile) turned us on to RName. It was freeware for Mac. But sadly it is no longer available. Luckily someone else is making a very similar if not better program called Renamer4Mac. There is also some freeware for Windows called Rname-it. This is not software that we use everyday, but when we do use it is it a total life saver (not to mention, time saver!) One of the biggest uses we have for this is our stock agency demands a certain naming convention that is very different than our in-house naming system, and theirs makes the file name very long with a lot of characters that serve no purpose for us. But with these renaming programs we can just prep all of our files, drop them into the program and batch rename them all at once while still ... More About: Files
Renaming Files
2008-03-04 19:22:00 Don't know about you, but quite often we need to rename a lot of files at once. Sometimes we are adding a serial number, other times we need to eliminate characters, or add a prefix or suffix. It used to be a real chore till our stock agency (Masterfile) turned us on to RName. It was freeware for Mac. But sadly it is no longer available. Luckily someone else is making a very similar if not better program called Renamer4Mac. There is also some freeware for Windows called Rname-it. This is not software that we use everyday, but when we do use it is it a total life saver (not to mention, time saver!) One of the biggest uses we have for this is our stock agency demands a certain naming convention that is very different than our in-house naming system, and theirs makes the file name very long with a lot of characters that serve no purpose for us. But with these renaming programs we can just prep all of our files, drop them into the program and batch rename them all at once while still ... More About: Files
Disc Stakka - Storage Solution for CD's and DVD's
More articles from this author:2008-03-03 18:57:00 So as a follow up to least Thursdays post, another friend of mine (Rudy Carruolo) had read the article about Drobo and sent me a link to something he has been considering for wrangling all of his optical media (CD's & DVD's). Called Disc Stakka from Imation, it is a carousel that holds 100 discs and comes with Mac / Windows software that works in conjunction with it to store, catalog, and access all of your discs. You can stack five of them for storage of up to 500 discs and still only use the one USB connection. The only issue I see with them is that they seem bulky and a bit of a space pig, but for those of you who rely strongly on optical media, this looks great! We have pretty much moved away from optical media as a primary means of storage, but many people find it is a better system for them. As always... check it out! More About: Storage , Solution 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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