Shooting A Fashion Show... at DVinfo.net

Aaron Jones Sr. · November 15th, 2014, 06:41 PM

I guess I will be shooting a fashion show this coming weekend. My position will be right at the end of the run way front row. I have elected to use my EA50 and a Pro Monopod similar to this one. I wanted to know if a 50mm f/1.8 would be decent in the low light environment. I want to get them from start to finish coming down the runway to the end and when they do their pose. I'm hoping the 50mm would not put me too close where I can not get the full body pose. This will be my first time at a fashion show ever, so I'm not sue what to expect. Any suggestions?

Edit: Ok So I decided to go with this momopsd: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1083924-REG/benro_a48tds4_video_monopod_kit.html

Chris Harding · November 15th, 2014, 08:21 PM

Hi Aaron

How far away from the runway will you be and are you going to be standing in one spot?? You need to calculate the DOF of 50mm at F1.8 ,,it's not that big at 18 -35 on my Sigma zoom so I think you will have focus issues.

To give you an example if you are 30' away from the models you only have from 26' to 34' in focus so they will be out of focus quite quickly at 50mm ..if it were me I would be a LOT wider (like 18mm F1.8) so I could have a better DOF.

Chris

Aaron Jones Sr. · November 16th, 2014, 02:59 AM

Ok, So I got the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 ;ens on the way. I'm sure it should suffice.

Edit: I guess I spoke too fast. Here in the States they are all on back order for the EF mount. Not even B&H has it. SMH... Back to the drawing board.

Steven Digges · November 16th, 2014, 01:07 PM

Hi Aaron,

I have done a few of them. The first time I was surprised by how fast that strut down the runway is. The answer to getting it right is to be there for the rehearsal. It is a repetitive shoot and you will need to find your rhythm. You will miss shots if you try to find it "live".

Don't assume the lighting will be low. Is this an amateur production or a professional one. If it is pro the runway may be lit with lekos that will give you lots of light but may pose other problems.

Your lens selection is critical. They may start off a far away speck and end up towering over you. Can you shoot with two cameras. I would not do it any other way if I was getting paid to shoot it.

The rehearsal is your only chance to work things out.

Steve

Aaron Jones Sr. · November 16th, 2014, 06:56 PM

Hi Steven,

This is not a paid gig it is for fun. My wife is a bit of a celebrity Photographer and they have noticed some of our wedding videos and like them and asked if we would like to shoot video for this one as well. Normally this is a prelim to other possible gigs in this business. I only wanted oi concentrate on the straight on walk down and pose from a down up angle . I have some good ideas I would like to implement. I have a second cam but I sent it off for servicing seeing i have finished my booed weddings for this year and we are preparing for next year.

Since my first post I was able to see some samples of the fashion show video and lighting is not going to be an issue. I'm sure my Tamron f/2.8 will do fine. I was more or less thinking about some low budget fashion shows i have seen in the past where the lighting was not the best. This is a pro fashion show so I'm looking to put together a good looking promo with the footage. I would love to have a second cam on the side of the runway getting the feet shot with audience in background and hard cut to the straight on shot, maybe next time. My only concern for this one is to get a good clean focus shot capturing the attitude of the models and what they are wearing.

I will be taking my Tamron 18-50mm f/2.8 and my Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 with me as I'm not sure how long the run way is. With adequate light I can afford to use some of the digital zoom if necessary or if the opportunity presents itself. My main focus is on the stop and pose at the end of the runway. I want to have as much of the full body as possible. Going to the rehearsal is not an option for me as i work 12 hours a day at my regular job and I'm taking the day off for this event.

November 15th, 2014, 06:41 PM	#1
Aaron Jones Sr. Major Player Join Date: May 2013 Location: Flint, Michigan, USA Posts: 393	Shooting A Fashion Show... I guess I will be shooting a fashion show this coming weekend. My position will be right at the end of the run way front row. I have elected to use my EA50 and a Pro Monopod similar to this one. I wanted to know if a 50mm f/1.8 would be decent in the low light environment. I want to get them from start to finish coming down the runway to the end and when they do their pose. I'm hoping the 50mm would not put me too close where I can not get the full body pose. This will be my first time at a fashion show ever, so I'm not sue what to expect. Any suggestions? Edit: Ok So I decided to go with this momopsd: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1083924-REG/benro_a48tds4_video_monopod_kit.html Last edited by Aaron Jones Sr.; November 15th, 2014 at 07:18 PM.

November 15th, 2014, 08:21 PM	#2
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Shooting A Fashion Show... Hi Aaron How far away from the runway will you be and are you going to be standing in one spot?? You need to calculate the DOF of 50mm at F1.8 ,,it's not that big at 18 -35 on my Sigma zoom so I think you will have focus issues. To give you an example if you are 30' away from the models you only have from 26' to 34' in focus so they will be out of focus quite quickly at 50mm ..if it were me I would be a LOT wider (like 18mm F1.8) so I could have a better DOF. Chris

November 16th, 2014, 02:59 AM	#3
Aaron Jones Sr. Major Player Join Date: May 2013 Location: Flint, Michigan, USA Posts: 393	Re: Shooting A Fashion Show... Ok, So I got the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 ;ens on the way. I'm sure it should suffice. Edit: I guess I spoke too fast. Here in the States they are all on back order for the EF mount. Not even B&H has it. SMH... Back to the drawing board. Last edited by Aaron Jones Sr.; November 16th, 2014 at 03:31 AM.

November 16th, 2014, 01:07 PM	#4
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	Re: Shooting A Fashion Show... Hi Aaron, I have done a few of them. The first time I was surprised by how fast that strut down the runway is. The answer to getting it right is to be there for the rehearsal. It is a repetitive shoot and you will need to find your rhythm. You will miss shots if you try to find it "live". Don't assume the lighting will be low. Is this an amateur production or a professional one. If it is pro the runway may be lit with lekos that will give you lots of light but may pose other problems. Your lens selection is critical. They may start off a far away speck and end up towering over you. Can you shoot with two cameras. I would not do it any other way if I was getting paid to shoot it. The rehearsal is your only chance to work things out. Steve __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!

November 16th, 2014, 06:56 PM	#5
Aaron Jones Sr. Major Player Join Date: May 2013 Location: Flint, Michigan, USA Posts: 393	Re: Shooting A Fashion Show... Hi Steven, This is not a paid gig it is for fun. My wife is a bit of a celebrity Photographer and they have noticed some of our wedding videos and like them and asked if we would like to shoot video for this one as well. Normally this is a prelim to other possible gigs in this business. I only wanted oi concentrate on the straight on walk down and pose from a down up angle . I have some good ideas I would like to implement. I have a second cam but I sent it off for servicing seeing i have finished my booed weddings for this year and we are preparing for next year. Since my first post I was able to see some samples of the fashion show video and lighting is not going to be an issue. I'm sure my Tamron f/2.8 will do fine. I was more or less thinking about some low budget fashion shows i have seen in the past where the lighting was not the best. This is a pro fashion show so I'm looking to put together a good looking promo with the footage. I would love to have a second cam on the side of the runway getting the feet shot with audience in background and hard cut to the straight on shot, maybe next time. My only concern for this one is to get a good clean focus shot capturing the attitude of the models and what they are wearing. I will be taking my Tamron 18-50mm f/2.8 and my Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 with me as I'm not sure how long the run way is. With adequate light I can afford to use some of the digital zoom if necessary or if the opportunity presents itself. My main focus is on the stop and pose at the end of the runway. I want to have as much of the full body as possible. Going to the rehearsal is not an option for me as i work 12 hours a day at my regular job and I'm taking the day off for this event.