When to experiment

[KennyG]

Here is an interesting thought. If, like me you have been pushing shutter buttons for over 25 years, when do you find the time to experiment with new techniques or equipment?

I'll use sports and wedding as examples as they are a series of non-repeatable events and moments.

You may want to try different settings or lighting for wedding work. Setting up in a studio is not the same as on location and the conditions are mostly very different. You can't really try an experimental shot on the exchange of rings for example, because if you get it wrong the moment has gone forever. The B&G may never forgive you, or worse, never pay you. So, how would you approach trying out something new in these circumstances? Your skills as a pro should take you most of the way in knowing what result you should get, but we all know that reality works out differently. What is your approach, do you use your clients as guinea pigs, or do you have another method? I know what I would do, but I am interested in how you would tackle these types of issues.

I'll give an example of some experiments I wanted to try out for a client. I was asked by a race team for some very different styles of shot, head on with motion blur, just like you would get taking the picture from the back of a moving car. Now, I have 'played' with this before but they wanted it done during a real live race. The reward was worth the effort so I ran some more tests on the theory and redied myself for the day. As they hired me for the day and wanted standard shots anyway, I was determined not to try this out until I had enough of the 'standard' shots under my belt. Just as well, as the driver only lasted 4 of the 12 laps before being punted off the circuit and I never did get to take his specials. For this particular experiment I tested the theory, made sure the basic work was covered and used seperate equipment. As I did get to try it out on him, it is on the list for later in the year. Just hope he lasts more laps this time.

I think a lot of people get stuck in their ways because they find it difficult to try out something new. The risks can be high and the loss of a client, or worse your reputation, may hold you back from experimenting. I am sure it is one of the main reasons why some people hang onto film, not because it is better, but because it is 'safe' and they know it.

An interesting topic to mull over.....

[MTalley]

Even though I'm definitely a rank amateur, I've wondered the same thing at least one time (in advance, I guess). So far, though, I've been doing mainly portrait work. In that sense, I can always borrow my daughter to try out new techniques. Then again, that is an easily re-creatable event, unlike a big race or a wedding.

For wedding experimentation, why not borrow a church on an off day, and "rent" a couple to stand statically in the proper positions, with appropriate clothing. Maybe he just wears a dark suit jacket and she, a simple white dress (or whatever). Have them stand frozen in time and just shoot around, trying your different approaches.

Race tracks are a little different story. But, if you can get out to a track on a practice day, you might stand to get more opportunities to play around with different effects. Maybe the same team that you are working with. Certainly they get some track time now and again for practice and for tuning the race car.

Just my 2 Euros.

[defordphoto]

Ahhh! I love experimenting. Fun to do with sports shooting. Once (as you say) I have enough safe shots under my belt, I love playing with very slow speeds for fast sports. It can produce some amazing shots. Sure, we all have our fave methods, but we have to pop out of that shell from time to time to feel alive.

I have my first sprint boat race next weekend and am jazzed to try some new stuff. I already have some ideas for the ChampCar race in Portland (Father's Day) too. I love calling my Dad to wish him Happy Dad's Day from the island at PIR.

He's the one that got me hooked on motorsports. Doesn't get much better than that. :)

[vwpilot]

Jim, the slow shutter speed, wide angle pan in turn one at Portland is a great one to play with.

http://www.speedarena.com/gallery/albums//Sportscar/Speed%20GT/2004/05%20Portland/007.jpg

http://www.speedarena.com/gallery/albums//Sportscar/ALMS/2004/05%20Portland/03%20Raceday/026.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

I agree with Jim's, "I love playing with very slow speeds for fast sports. It can produce some amazing shots.", but most of you know that by now.

I also agree with Malcom's, "But, if you can get out to a track on a practice day, you might stand to get more opportunities to play around with different effects." In a sports situation, game time isn't a good time to experiment for me & I'd concentrate on getting the shots that I was being paid to get. Practice is for practice, hopefully more than 4 laps of it! ;) I'd have done the same thing Kenny did, and when that game plan blew up, maybe I'd have taken some experimental shots of someone elses practice.

When I was doing editorial work, first I'd get the shot I was going for. That might give me an idea for a variation & I'd shoot that. Maybe it would give me an idea for another variation, etc, 'till I ran out of time.
The only hard & fast rule I have is to get the shot I'm being paid to get.

[gmen]

Very interesting thread Kenny.

I'm usually shooting editorial work so that can and does stifle my urge to be too experimental. If I'm shooting a football match for example, I'll be concentrating on recording the important moments, i.e. the turning points of the game (goals, cautions, fouls) as well as general action shots.

My editor will be expecting me to provide an image to support the story. If I'm in experimental mode and something important or out of the ordinary happens, I might not be in the position to shoot it - e.g. wrong lens, inappropriate shutter speed, etc.

This may sound conservative... but, like FrankC says, you need to concentrate on getting the shots you're being paid to get. This doesn't stop the creative juices from flowing, but the experiments may just have to wait until the next event.

The publication/client will always influence the images you feel able to take. Some of my agency work is not to an editorial deadline and positively encourages me to experiment - swings and roundabouts I guess!

[primoz]

Personally I never shoot weddings but only sport so I guess there is some more space for experimenting :) As you said I don't think you can take few photos of wedding and then try something new since I don't think B&G would be to happy if this wouldn't work out :)
On races I usually do as you said... first I get enough of "normal" shots and then I have time to play. Unless if two of us are covering event and one is getting standard shots while I'm out there for a bit different ones. But this doesn't happen too often.
People are usually happy with standard shots, they are even happier (most of time but not always) with different ones, but they are never happy with you bringing back nothing, because you were after some different shots which didn't work and you didn't have standard ones either. :)

[Jon, The Elder]

I seem to be the only one up here that shoots horse competitions on a regular basis. I understand why. Horses are predictable only up to a point. The riders (95.7%) are female, and less predictable. It is wet/dirty/dusty/hot/cold/and dangerous to a certain degree. (not that other sports aren't equally so).

Arena shots (for any sport) are tough and in this case, not my biggest sellers. Candids and semi-posed seem to sell best. Shutter drag / tracking (fast and slow), tilts and angles, get to be 'old hat' and customers like fresh approaches as much as anyone.

Post production is an easy way to 'cheat the eye' but it is also too easy to use this as a ''crutch".

Drop on one knee and get the pretty girl looking pensive, with just the right cloud behind her as the horse puts ears forward and looks in the same direction - for at least 1/250 at f5.6. Thats experimentation.

[PhotosGuy]

Post production is an easy way to 'cheat the eye' but it is also too easy to use this as a ''crutch". I like my crutch. Leave it alone, Jon! ;-)

[theflyingkiwi]

I'll give an example of some experiments I wanted to try out for a client. I was asked by a race team for some very different styles of shot, head on with motion blur,

Hi Kenny, wise words indead. Cause I am still learning and not getting paid for the work then this kinda of experimentation is best. manly because one will have nothing to lose :)

Away I have a question to ask if you don't mind. how do you take a picture of a moving car, head on and have motion blur? I know that the best way for head on shots is to have the lens wide open so the you can have the car in focus and the background bluring. But motion blur is cause by traving with the car at show shutter speed. how do you track with the car that is coming towards you?

If you have managed to do this I would love to see a end result.

Thanks

[Jon, The Elder]

I like my crutch. Leave it alone, Jon!

I meant experimenting with the CAMERA as opposed to after thoughts with the IMAGE FILE.

Jeez !!

[PhotosGuy]

Jeez !! What?! You didn't see the ;-) ?