Might have a commercial client... shooting swimming pools. Gonna need some help.

Now, I don't mind this kind of work at all, but all I've studied up to this point is photographing the human body. Honestly, I'm not sure where pool photography lands. Is it architecture or landscape? Is it better to shoot pools from a distance with a longer lens or up close with an ultrawide? For this particular job, if I get it of course, I'm sure I'll need a circular polarizer as well as a graduated neutral density filter.

I guess I'm looking for any tips. A friend from high school's husband referred me to this company, so I'd rather not make a bad impression if I decide to go for it. Any tips? Any books out there that focus a lot on how to take photographs of pools, spas, hot tubs, etc?

Thanks in advance

Look at what they've already got. Ask them what they think they'd like better.
http://www.anthonysylv​an.com/pools.asp

Here are some random ideas:
Pools come in various sizes... They need to look big and roomy... A good swimmer wants room to swim laps or dive and/or just tread water with room for everyone...

Some of my best shots were in the water, at eye level with those having fun. Also, a clear cloudless sunny day was best.

Other good pics are from a ladder, of an empty pool, right after the lawn is mowed, lifeguards reset the beach chairs and everything is clean and ready to start a new day...

Wide angles help accentuate the spaciousness. Arrangement of pool furniture helps a lot... So do models.

The problems I had were shooting down at the swimmers in the water and also from a distance... They made the pool look small and/or crowded... Therefore, cropping the images to exclude the pool's edges, worked best.

Those employed by the pool could serve as models, and could be made available prior to or during operations.

Check with the pool owners/managers regarding use of staff for models. Let's see what other's have to say. Cheers.

Do they only build the pool itself or do they also intigrate the entire "poolscape?" Cool Decking? Patios? Planters or walls? Benches?

IOW, do you need to consider not only their construction methods or do they want to show the overall effect of putting one of their pools in a backyard?

I'd look at plenty of architecture and "House Beautiful" type sources to find the best way to showcase their product as it relates to the enjoyment of the entire pool environment.

All excellent points. To be honest, I don't know anything about 'em. Guy just found out I was going semi-pro on Friday night and found out the client's current photographer was no longer available and gave them my name. I appreciate the questions you guys are asking because these are the types of questions I need to be asking them.

Do need to be thinking about lens and filter combinations, also, as that will become very vital. Up close and wide angle or telephoto? Any recommendations on Circular Polarizer brands or Graduated Neutral Density Filters?

FlipsidE wrote in post #4968829
All excellent points. To be honest, I don't know anything about 'em. Guy just found out I was going semi-pro on Friday night and found out the client's current photographer was no longer available and gave them my name. I appreciate the questions you guys are asking because these are the types of questions I need to be asking them.

Do need to be thinking about lens and filter combinations, also, as that will become very vital. Up close and wide angle or telephoto? Any recommendations on Circular Polarizer brands or Graduated Neutral Density Filters?

I think I'd try and concentrate on how best to capture the new pool / yard in evening light. In my mind I can picture a really nice setting at dusk where the colors in the sky balance well with the lights that are in AND around the pool. Maybe some nice warm interior light spilling out onto the deck or a fire pit setting with a bottle of wine and some glasses... The high end "lifestyle" mags here in Phoenix always seem to show off houses, land, properties, yards, etc at the "Golden Hour." It's like they are trying to convey the thought that "This is what you come home to after work..."

In any event, I know I'd try very hard to avoid the harsh light of mid day. Especially if you're shooting bright white plaster-coated pools.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #4968873
I think I'd try and concentrate on how best to capture the new pool / yard in evening light. In my mind I can picture a really nice setting at dusk where the colors in the sky balance well with the lights that are in AND around the pool. Maybe some nice warm interior light spilling out onto the deck or a fire pit setting with a bottle of wine and some glasses... The high end "lifestyle" mags here in Phoenix always seem to show off houses, land, properties, yards, etc at the "Golden Hour." It's like they are trying to convey the thought that "This is what you come home to after work..."

In any event, I know I'd try very hard to avoid the harsh light of mid day. Especially if you're shooting bright white plaster-coated pools.

I follow what you are saying and they probably are looking for more lifestyle-type photos versus architecture or landscape. I appreciate the advice! Still, lens recommendations as well as filter recommendations are always welcome. Even during the golden hour, the water on the pool is going to be reflecting a lot of light.

FlipsidE wrote in post #4968918
I follow what you are saying and they probably are looking for more lifestyle-type photos versus architecture or landscape. I appreciate the advice! Still, lens recommendations as well as filter recommendations are always welcome. Even during the golden hour, the water on the pool is going to be reflecting a lot of light.

I'd say you would want a full range of lenses and definitely a polarizer filter -- a bright sunny day will not only bring the swimmers out but also sun glare.

On the wide end, rather than an ultra-wide, think of a fisheye to get some close-ups of, say, one or two kids having a blast with the rest of the pool showing the fisheye effect. A "normal" wide angle lens should be okay for a wide shot of the pool -- ultra wides can be pretty extreme and take in much more than you intend, but then if you are up in the air or trying to get a shot of the whole length of the pool from the side, then, maybe not...

If it's not a bright sunny day, you may have a problem with freezing action. Having at least one fast lens (f/2.8 or faster) would definitely be a plus if you are indoors or encounter lower daylight lighting. In fact, if you are shooting an indoor pool, you would be well served by several fast lenses, or you will probably have too many blurred pics. For a cropped camera, the 17-55 f/2.8 IS is a fantastic wide lens, although you may be put off by its price tag. If you are looking to make money with your photography, though, it can be a serious asset. Indoor sports photogs lean heavily towards two lenses for speed, IQ, and focus dexterity: the 85mm f/1.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8L. Hey, for your first year of business you write it all off as a deductible expense! You may not make a profit in your first year, but you pay no taxes and get the greatest gear!

Have a good time!

While it is a tad on the slow side, whatcha think of the EF-S 10-22 for these projects?

FlipsidE wrote in post #4969060
While it is a tad on the slow side, whatcha think of the EF-S 10-22 for these projects?

The EF-S 10-22 is a great ultra-wide angle lens for the crop series of cameras, and with wide angles you have more flexibility with depth of field so that you can use the wider aperture settings for higher shutter speed, but the downside of this lens is the ultra part of the description. This lens is great for a very wide look -- like I said earlier, getting a very wide angle shot of the whole pool -- and, in fact, may work much better for that one perspecive than a "normal" wide angle (starting in the 17mm range). So, for those one or two "whole scene" shots, this lens would be great, but when you want something more close and personal, you just have to have a bigger arsenal.

You haven't mentioned a budget, and in these discussions, you don't ever hear "I'm a billionaire with an unlimited budget to spend, so tell me the absolute best setup and I'll buy it tomorrow!".

So, I would say that a great collection would be the 10-22, the 17-55 f/2.8, the 24-70 f/2.8, the 85 f/1.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8. Each of these lenses could play a great part in your scenario. But, most people would probably stick with two or three lenses -- maybe the 10-22, the 17-55 and the 70-200, but then you'd be missing out on the 85, which is a great close-up action lens, and the 24-70, which is a great mid-range lens. Choose your budget, make up your priorities according to what scenes you really want to capture, maybe rent a lens you're not sure of if the income will be there to cover the expenses. Maybe take a couple of days to visit this pool or similar pools to get a feel of what works the best!

Google is your friend

Just a thought. What about the 10-22 + 18-55 for starters. Granted, I know the latter really isn't good glass, but the combo might just get me what I need until I can afford the 17-55.

Pools? Mm wide angle, polarizer, women in bikinis lounging nearby and chatting with little glasses of tea and mini umbrellas on white or glass tables.

Activity shots with kids and floats and splashing and fill flash, lots of fun.

Woman reposing on a float in bikini with sunglasses on, one knee up, light putting highlights on her curves, overhead or profile shot, fill flash, sounds good. Overdone, but good.

Perspective shots of pools with attractive backgrounds, nice looking skies, etc. Wide angle makes them look nice and big.

form wrote in post #4972066
Pools? Mm wide angle, polarizer, women in bikinis lounging nearby and chatting with little glasses of tea and mini umbrellas on white or glass tables.

Activity shots with kids and floats and splashing and fill flash, lots of fun.

Woman reposing on a float in bikini with sunglasses on, one knee up, light putting highlights on her curves, overhead or profile shot, fill flash, sounds good. Overdone, but good.

Perspective shots of pools with attractive backgrounds, nice looking skies, etc. Wide angle makes them look nice and big.

The women in bikini shots I can do. I've been reading up and going to workshops to specialize in Glamour photography. So, that I can handle. Granted, I'm not the best in the industry, but at the same time, I'm very comfortable around models and with model photography.

Just never done the landscape/architecture thing. That's what I'm concerned about the most. They want some attractive women in bikinis on pool floats, they got 'em... by the boatload. They want photos of finished pools with no one around just to show off how they look, that's where I'm a bit apprehensive as I've never done that kind of photography before.

Edit: Oh and the polarizer is on its way. I'm considering ordering a 10-22 by the time the weekend is over, also.

Talked to them over the phone today, and I have a face to face interview with them on Saturday!