Assisting a Pro

[Kris]

Well, Im going to be assisting next week for a shoot. I'm a bit nervous as I have NO idea what to expect, the guy even said I would get paid but I refused payment as my day job earns me enough - I simply want to learn.

Can anyone tell me what I should expect? What do I bring? What types of things would I be doing??

Thanks

[bwhinnen]

Not being a pro myself, and not knowing what you are shooting I am not sure who will be able to say what to expect... Wedding? Portraits? Event? etc...

As to what to take; as many spares as you can gather your hands on, everything checked, cleaned, tested, checked again. Put a list in your bag of everything you want to take with you, checkboxed to show you have checked it and are happy with it. How about a little list of what to check on the camera just before shooting, i.e. shooting mode, aperture, shutterspeed, white balance, focus mode, expsoure compensation settings , ISO etc just to make sure you don't make that blunder that some of us do from time to time in the excitement...

Above all the obvious camera related gear, make sure you are dressed appropriately for the shoot. Sometimes the impression you make is far more important than anything (you will get the shots you want I have no doubt).

And the getting paid bit... I would accept anything the pro wants to pay, this will get you used to taking responsibility for your actions. Realising that you are being paid for your work, learning or not, helps put a level of perspective and pressure on you that you will have when you start out on your own.

Brett

[shutterbug]

Well, Im going to be assisting next week for a shoot. I'm a bit nervous as I have NO idea what to expect, the guy even said I would get paid but I refused payment as my day job earns me enough - I simply want to learn.

Can anyone tell me what I should expect? What do I bring? What types of things would I be doing??

Thanks

Congratulations

So are you an assistant or a 2nd shooter? They are totally different...an assistant will be carrying my bags, change lens...etc. A 2nd shooter will be there to capture the event at a different angle.

Ask the pro.....

[Kris]

Meeting for a few drinks this weekend to discuss all things photography, I'll be asking exactly what's involved. I'm happy to be doing anything, even just watching him shoot!

[Zeeps]

Remember less is more. You want to be confident. Try not say things like, "this is my first time" or "I'm new".

Most of all have fun!

[Kris]

*gasp* nervous already

Ok, will take all my gear and double check everything.

Should be interesting to see what I pickup and also what im asked to do!

[Nnnnsic]

If he's shooting digitally, be prepared to become an operator.

If you need help learning the software, give me a buzz.

By and large, most assistants just set up gear and check focus. You might learn a little, but most of it will be carrying gear, setting up, and checking images.

If there's already a digital operator there, you'll be looking over their shoulder and helping decide what sort of imagery will make the shot better.

[Kris]

I believe its all digital, i'd love to get involved in the process of checking shots as it will help me identify my own shots and determine which is better..

For instance:

I shot a few photos on the weekend and noticed on histogram that the far right hand side ( highlights) was showing NO data. I'm still unsure why but I know I'd be losing alot of valuable info there as I understand the highlights hold far more data then say the shadows.. This was at noon, and the image doesnt appear to be underexposed

Its these kinda things I need to know

[Nnnnsic]

If you're shooting digital, it's likely that someone will be bringing a lappy with some software on it for on-site digital operation.

Usually you use Capture One Pro, but it could be Nikon Capture, Lightroom, or anything else that doesn't have a problem with RAW depending on what the camera is and what the laptop is.

[Kris]

I've used Lightroom and Adobe Raw, not CP 1 though..

[Yi-P]

You havent mentioned if this is a wedding, social event, fashion, portrait session etc....

Different shooting have different things to bare in mind and stuffs you should bring along with preparations.

As vince said, assistant and 2nd shooter is different. You get much more of 'hands-on' experience being a 2nd shooter than you will as being an assistant. Tho both way you need to learn from observing and making mistakes.

[Kris]

I am unsure what kind of shoot it is at this stage, but my suspicions lead me to believe Fashion, as I know him through a guy I know who is a designer.

[Yi-P]

If it is a fashion shoot, you will mostly be running around handing or holding things for models, or even providing fresh drinks for the staffs around

Otherwise, you will be holding reflectors, changing lights and/or what Leigh said, being the digital operator behind the camera to check focus and lighting.

Either of the latter jobs are very worthwhile to your learning. Tho not really sure if he will have time to allow you to do shootings, those people run on tight schedule.

[Paul]

If it is a wedding, here is a handy guide to the big day from Al Jacobs
http://www.aljacobs.com/NEW%20WEDDING.pdf

[Kris]

Guess we'll soon see!

[jdear]

By all means id bring your camera, but only take one lense - it may be helpful to take photos of his lighting setup etc to help you learn.

But do not make the mistake of being too busy taking photos you miss out on actually helping him.

Too many assistants do something once and think they know it all, if you want to be a big help to him, offer to do things you see that could need doing, keep asking him if he wants drinks etc. And even if its the most boring repetitous job you will be doing ALL day, keep at it... it will see you invited and trusted with bigger, better roles!

Some people make a very good living from being a photographic assistant and thats all! Assistants in the Uk earn over 200 quid an hr.

Jonathan

[Kris]

Thanks, ill keep this in mind. Ill bring my gear but I dont really have any intention of using it unless I'm asked..

I certainly wont run off and do my own thing

[beetleboy]

Hey Kris..

I've been assisting for a couple of years now (less so over the last year) and if I can give you one piece of advice - NEVER get your camera out unless asked, or unless you ask politely first!! First and foremost, you are the "help"! Remember this and don't be afraid to bend over backwards to be helpful and you'll be asked back again and again.

Eventually you'll become indispensable and may even be asked to shoot!

And don't forget to enjoy yourself, it is great fun being part of a shoot without the pressure of being the principle photographer!

Oh, and don't stare at the models boobs - remember, there will be plenty of photos to stare at afterwards!!!!

[Nnnnsic]

Liam,

I guess that's the difference between being a digital operator and an assistant... As a digital op, I got my camera out all the time. Even got a few shots of the models.

[beetleboy]

Oh what? No fair!

I'm pretty much a jack-of-all trades, tend to do the assisting and digi-operating..guess that's the diff between Sydney and Adelaide budgets!

Having said what I said, it also depends on who you're working with. One of the guys I used to assist was quite encouraging of me taking pics but the other would get stroppy.

[wendellt]

you were quite lucky with james cant leigh
since that was an exclusive shoot for black and white mag
usually they have a problem with others taking pics because it's an exclusive shoot for black and white and the magazien doesnt want the photos to go anywhere else but the mag


kris i would suggest not to show your best work and just come across as someone capable but not their competition(whoever you assist)

also helps to know it's normal to be expected to go above and beyond expectaions no one in the fashion industry does a half ass job assisting

if you ever watched the movie the devil wears prada it's kind of like that
they expect the world and don't say thankyou and if you make a mistake or look bored they get mad

of course theres exceptions to this soem photographers are ultra nice but they still expect you to do the menial work without thinking twice about it