Fashion Show - Lighting headache

[Fintan]

I've been asked to shoot at a fashion show and have more than a few headaches about it. I'll be borrowing a Canon 1v and a 70-200 lens to do it.

Unfortunatly I will only see the lighting setup 10 mins before the show and cant find out anything in advance from the organisers [long story]

For anyone with experience covering fashion shows my questions are....

a:: what ISO films should I have in my bag?

b:: what shutter speed will I need to capture a model walking towards me. I will be using a monopod. I want to take a shot of each model half way down the catwalk, then at the pause on the end of the catwalk.


c:: f4 is the largest aperature on the lens, should I stick to f4?

d:: should I use fill flash? [Canon 550 flash] or is flash frowned upon?

e:: is there any etiquette I should be aware of?

Fintan

 

[Pinholemaster]

You'll have to ask the fashion show coordinators if flash is allowed. There is no set rule.

You can use a lower shutter speed if the model are walking towards you. If they were walking past you in profile, you'd need a higher shutter speed.

If flash is allowed use a low ISO film to capture the best color in the clothes and skin tone.

If no flash, then you'll need to shot a higher ISO film. If you are shooting transparency film, you'll need to use a tungsten light balanced film.

Stick to f/4.0.

Since no one will tell you anything, you'll have to bring everything mentioned about to cover your butt.

Also, whose the client? If it is the Fashion Show coordinators, then they must take the blame if you don't come back with the goods for not cooperating. If they are not the client, then you must make it very plan to the client your problems. Perhaps your client can put pressure on the right people to get your answers.

Good luck, have fun, and bring plenty of film.

Personally, I know, I know, this is an "analog" group, but this problem you have is a perfect example where shooting digitally would make life much much easier. My too cents. Film and digital capture are simple tools.

I've been asked to shoot at a fashion show and have more than a few headaches about it. I'll be borrowing a Canon 1v and a 70-200 lens to do it.

Unfortunatly I will only see the lighting setup 10 mins before the show and cant find out anything in advance from the organisers [long story]

For anyone with experience covering fashion shows my questions are....

a:: what ISO films should I have in my bag?

b:: what shutter speed will I need to capture a model walking towards me. I will be using a monopod. I want to take a shot of each model half way down the catwalk, then at the pause on the end of the catwalk.


c:: f4 is the largest aperature on the lens, should I stick to f4?

d:: should I use fill flash? [Canon 550 flash] or is flash frowned upon?

e:: is there any etiquette I should be aware of?

Fintan

 

[gr82bart]

ISO400 negative film, FL-D filter (ISO 320 tungsten film is also good), monopod, f2.8 zoom lens at least, flash to fill only (usually allowed - the models are used to it), pick a spot on the runway where you will take the shot when the model gets to that spot - usually at the end or in the near end - about 10feet from the end, be bold and take an incident reading at that spot set at 125s depending on the pace of the models, set your camera to ensure full coverage of a 5'10 tall model in heels and shoot away.

I wish I had easy access a couple older runway stuff I did in film to attach. Now, I use my D2X for this stuff, which I rarely do anymore.

As for ettiquette - well sometimes it's like a scrum, sometimes it's like a gentlemen's club. Go with the flow.

Regards, Art.

 

[Fintan]

Thanks for the replies so far. Just some background, I'm doing this for one of the designers who I've done some fashion shoots for. My camera is a manual hasselblad 500cm and use studio lights, so I'm not used to auto focus 35mm cameras and situations I cant control.

The designer can't get me official permission for me to do the show but has been told that on the night I will be allowed to do it. She has no big expectation on my work but being the perfectionist that I am, will go to every effort to nail the shots.

f4 is the absolute best I can borrow unfortuately.

 

[B&Wenthusiast]

fashion show

My daughter shoots dancers in low light. I'm not sure what stops, etc she uses (I can ask her; I only help with the printing and selling), but she is very happy with the Ilford 3200 film. Lots of fun with the filters, as well, usually 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0.

Good luck!

 

[haris]

The designer can't get me official permission for me to do the show but has been told that on the night I will be allowed to do it. She has no big expectation on my work but being the perfectionist that I am, will go to every effort to nail the shots.

Then she must give your name and warn security people and organiser that you will do photograpahy for her. Best if she can meet you at entrance and escort you inside with her. That will make your life much easier...

 

[df cardwell]

Practise with the camera beforehand. Miracles only happen if you practise.

Shoot a roll right when you get there, or with a non-client model. Mark it, and have it processed before you have rest of the take processed: this will tell if you need to push/pull/have the phone disconnected
.

color ? b&w ?