A LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BIG SHOW
You want to know the truth about shooting fashion shows? Honestly, I don’t shoot them. But I have in the past, especially when I was first started my career as a photographer. The thing is that if you are a fashion photographer, this is going to come up sooner or later and you will be asked as some point to either attend a fashion show or shoot them, or many times you may just be asked by your favorite designer clients or friends to do them a big favor, Or you may really want to head in that direction with your career. But after so many years, I just realized that shooting fashions shows are tedious and very demeaning. Standing around with a bunch of photographers trying to get the same exact shot as the guy standing next to you is not very creative or exciting, almost like the “paparazzi” photographers
I much rather be sitting in the front row where a respectable fashion photographer should be sitting to enjoy a good view of the latest designs and gorgeous top models strutting down the runway.
I LOVE fashion design and Fashion shows , but not shooting them!
Not many people know that I was originally interested and I still am to become a fashion designer before I fell in love with photography. So for me, watching the show is way more fun than shooting it. BUT……..That’s just me! If you are planning on shooting a fashion show in the near future, here’s a few tips and links to some very useful posts and sites on how to go about it…
1. Cover your behind! Bring an extra camera body for two reasons: A. So you can mount two different lenses to get two different shots of the same outfit. B. Murphy’s Law: if your primary camera for whatever reason on Earth decides not to work at the exact minute the show starts, you can switch to your back up with very minimal stressing out.
2. Depending on where you’re going to be standing, you’ll want to use a zoom lens with a range from between 24mm to 200mm. This is going to be a rare moment when I am actually going to advise using zoom lenses. They’re just more accommodating for this kind of shoot. Usually they place photographers at the end of the runway. You’ll want to get a full length shot of the model, a 3/4 shot, possibly a turning shot or back shot and hopefully a nice face shot, especially if the model’s wearing some great jewelry pieces or accessories.
3. Bring a mono-pod. Save your arm. You can also use it as a weapon if one of those other aforementioned photographers gets out of hand. Seriously, I’ve seen it happen. I am only joking, but I’ve seen photographers go at it with their mono-pods. Uh….in my opinion, a fashion show is not really that important to get into a blood bath over.
4. Make sure you have one of those on-camera flashes. With back up batteries. You can never count on their lighting set up.
5. Bring plenty of memory cards. They fill up fast!
6. Why not! Go ahead and shoot in auto-focus. I would.
I found this post on DPS had some really useful tips on shooting fashion shows:
How to Shoot A Fashion Show.
Fashion shows DO have a lot of energy. The music is loud and usually upbeat, the models are fun to watch, the clothes are usually more theatrical and dramatic. Here’s a video
Spring/Summer 2012 Chanel Show
They did things a little different at this show but you can jump on to style.com’s site and check out any number of other designer shows. Personally, I just happen to enjoy watching the shows more than shooting them. But again, that’s just me. To each his own and that’s what makes the world go around! If you have had some experience in shooting runways shows, leave a comment for the other readers. Your input is really welcomed!
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