Studio/Strobe Keepers...

Good morning...

I have shot mostly low light action dance and action sports for the past six years. I have done a portrait shoot here and there, but nothing much.

My question is about keeper rate in the studio (strobe setup).
In my experience my keeper rate averages about 20 to 25 percent. At a dance competition dress rehearsal last month I shot 2000 pictures and ended up with 550 keepers.

I am on the verge of purchasing a set of AB800s with some modifiers, etc...
I have been reading and looking and watching vigorously for the past few months in preparation.

I know I won't be letting the shutter fly like I do when capturing jump sequences in dance or BMX.

What would be your average keeper rate using strobes and in the studio?
In a single shoot how many pictures, on average, do you shoot per outfit/setting?

Thanx for any advice!

You probably have to redefine keepers for the purpose of studio work. If you nail the lighting, your keeper rate in terms of technical quality will probably top 90%. But you will discard most because of the subject doesnt have the perfect expression, or some other artistic/aesthetic decision not related to technical merit. In the studio you essentially shoot until you feel like you have it.

I've not been keeping intricate records about this - it's all been casual observation - but thus far my average has been between 30 and 60 shots for every 1000-1200 taken. Edits are based on not only technical misses but expressions, wardrobe goofs, props falling, or just generally uninspiring/non-attention-getting.

Thanx man!!!
In action dance stage, to me, a keeper is a combination of sharp focus, acceptable lighting, acceptable dancer composition. And I shoot till the dance is over. I can't tell them to get back up there and do it again LOL!

Yeah, see the parameters are skewed for you, in that situation. Most of the studio shooting I do is not fast-paced; it's quick, sometimes, but not fast-paced.

Kechar wrote in post #12023880
Thanx man!!!
In action dance stage, to me, a keeper is a combination of sharp focus, acceptable lighting, acceptable dancer composition. And I shoot till the dance is over. I can't tell them to get back up there and do it again LOL!

Oh yeah I figured you were up against some tough circumstances, but in the studio its way easier to control those things.

Not to add more onto this post, but you made me think...

Have you every been at your wits end working with a model?
One that wouldn't/couldn't get your direction? Or was rude?
Or was offended because she thought you were rude?

Just trying to learn!

Not really. This is because most of my work involves inanimate objects - which, true, some models qualify for - but to date, as I've started working a little more with humans again, I've been really lucky.
I usually sit down with a model for a while and talk to her about how I approach things, the atmosphere, etc. That way, there's no surprises, and if she/he complains later, there's a solid point to base a discussion on.

I havent had that experience with a model as i mostly do portrait work in that environment. I've had frustrations, but the client is always right, even when they aren't. The best approach is to work with the model and let them think you are collaborators, even if in your mind you are not.