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View Full Version : My First MAJOR Event shoot!!!

Pixel Popper
Sep-30-2007, 11:02 PM
Until recently, I was employed by a company that does production and special event lighting for major events in and around the Washington, D.C. area. Now that I no longer work there, I actually have the time to attend these events strictly as a photographer.

I'm still close with a number of designers at the firm, so I asked if I could come and shoot an event, for free, after which I would provide them with the images that they could use to help promote their business, and in exchange, I could get some great images to diversify my portfolio to help my fledgeling business along.

The event I got to shoot was for an organization called Charity Works, which took place at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.. If you've never seen it, it is an incredible space with a 120 foot atrium than spans the entire building; just perfect for major events.

I shot in two phases. The first was simply shooting the set up of the gig, mainly to capture the work flow of putting it all together, and the second phase was the following evening, capturing the live event.

Here are just a few examples of the work, but please visit my galleries to see the entire collection.

For the set up shots, click here. (http://picasaweb.google.com/Howard.Starrett/CharityWorksTheLoadIn)

For the live event shots, click here. (http://picasaweb.google.com/Howard.Starrett/CharityWorksTheEvent)

I would also add that I am very new to this type of work, so please, give me as much critical feedback as you can. My aim is to get better at this, and your commentary is extraordinarily useful.

One last thing. My former employers, after seeing these images I did for free, now want me to shoot many more of their events, and also write articles about them for submission to Industry Magazines, FOR PAY!!! Needless to say, I am thrilled. And now the images...


1.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRHyuXZYI/AAAAAAAAKxs/DO8wwuFVPHs/s800/_DSC0113.JPG


2.
http://lh5.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRJSuXZZI/AAAAAAAAKx4/iahFYEBNpiQ/s800/_DSC0137.JPG


3.
http://lh5.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRBSuXZXI/AAAAAAAAKyQ/zR-L3hwm4lI/s800/_DSC0116.JPG


4.
http://lh6.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRKiuXZaI/AAAAAAAAKyE/hmdBz7H9nJk/s800/_DSC0095.JPG


5.
http://lh6.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRNiuXZbI/AAAAAAAAKyU/HBvznjLhigo/s800/_DSC0147.JPG


6.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCROyuXZcI/AAAAAAAAKyg/ZUgWh13QKeg/s800/_DSC0152.JPG


7.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRQyuXZeI/AAAAAAAAKy4/WMK25GjaaVI/s800/DSC_0043.JPG


8.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRPyuXZdI/AAAAAAAAKys/xMEmwy9G2h0/s800/DSC_0010.JPG


9.
http://lh4.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRSCuXZfI/AAAAAAAAKzE/Zarnh74eqJo/s800/DSC_0088.JPG


10.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRYyuXZnI/AAAAAAAAK0o/tenZZYq3jPY/s800/DSC_0211.JPG


11.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRUyuXZiI/AAAAAAAAKzo/Hcw8CupfSOU/s800/DSC_0144.JPG


12.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRayuXZpI/AAAAAAAAK1A/2mbD5HyJZL0/s800/DSC_0236.JPG


13.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRbyuXZqI/AAAAAAAAK1M/pk4xvCr_Q88/s800/DSC_0232.JPG


14.
http://lh6.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRViuXZjI/AAAAAAAAKz0/IC9PHePspsI/s800/DSC_0163.JPG


15.
http://lh5.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRYSuXZmI/AAAAAAAAK0Y/eK1d51xlpSo/s800/DSC_0201.JPG


16.
http://lh3.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRZyuXZoI/AAAAAAAAK00/b350Gzn_Wqs/s800/DSC_0237.JPG


17.
http://lh5.google.com/Howard.Starrett/RwCRTSuXZgI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/b1frCTkb7c8/s800/DSC_0093.JPG
photocat
Sep-30-2007, 11:47 PM
One last thing. My former employers, after seeing these images I did for free, now want me to shoot many more of their events, and also write articles about them for submission to Industry Magazines, FOR PAY!!! Needless to say, I am thrilled. And now the images...

Great shots, I mean GREAT shots... Have nothing to add... Wonderful colors, good composition, (like the one with the tables in a ladder!) - I bet your bosses are thrilled with them. Keep up the good work!
Pixel Popper
Oct-01-2007, 12:04 AM
Thank you so much, Photocat! This was a real challenge for me, as I've never had to shoot in a situation where I had to deal with such deeply saturated colors of light, behind very dimly lit subjects. And since I was shooting for a lighting company, it was important that the backgrounds didn't fade into black.

The formula that I found to work best for me in that space was to shoot in manual mode, ISO 800 to 1200, aperture wide open, with a flash, and shutter speed around 1/15 to 1/25. The flash would freeze the action, and the slower shutter speed allowed for the ambient light to fill in behind.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the images. Thanks, again!

-Howard
nicoleshilliday
Oct-01-2007, 05:14 PM
Love #3. Made me think!

These are some great shots. The room looks fantastic in the pictures.
Pixel Popper
Oct-01-2007, 11:19 PM
Love #3. Made me think!

These are some great shots. The room looks fantastic in the pictures.

Thank you! Lots of my friends have had similar comments about that shot.
PineapplePhoto
Oct-02-2007, 02:20 AM
Wow... #2 gave me vertigo! and I am (was) not afraid of heights. :huh
ziggy53
Oct-02-2007, 03:42 AM
Wow! :thumb:clap

What a wonderful way to leverage what you know, and "who" you know, along with your skills as a photographer, to capture an event, and to create a position that didn't previously exist. A tremendous success story!

Good work!
Pixel Popper
Oct-02-2007, 10:01 AM
Wow... #2 gave me vertigo! and I am (was) not afraid of heights. :huh

No doubt!!! I got a little queasy trying to get that shot, as well. The top "floor" of that building is nothing more than a very narrow ledge with a thin rail that tenuously clings to the upper perimiter of the space. I'm glad I got the shot, but I was OH so happy to climb down from there!
Pixel Popper
Oct-02-2007, 10:09 AM
Wow! :thumb:clap

What a wonderful way to leverage what you know, and "who" you know, along with your skills as a photographer, to capture an event, and to create a position that didn't previously exist. A tremendous success story!

Good work!

Thanks, Ziggy! Yep, it kinda' seems like the "perfect storm" of events that made everything fall into place here. I was not happy to be suddenly and unexpectedly unemployed, but after just a short while, I am starting to realize it might have been the best thing that could have happened to me. While I was there shooting candids, the Chief Executive Officer of Washington Life Magazine asked me to shoot some photos of VIPs in attendance, and now they are going to be printed in his publication!!! There were also a number of other folks who wanted to "chimp" my pics after they realized I had taken their photo, and some of these are leading to more work for me.

Tonight and tomorrow, I am shooting another major event at the German Embassy in D.C., and now I have a couple of other event companies that want to talk to me about shooting for them.

Wow. For years, there was nothing, then one night's work generates so much more. Couldn't be happier! :barb Thanks for the encouraging words. :D
Dee
Oct-02-2007, 10:23 AM
Congratulations on the serendipity!

I'm glad it's all falling together for you. Best of luck and I hope it continues. I love to hear success stories.
schmoo
Oct-02-2007, 10:32 AM
WOW! I am impressed and jealous. Way to make lemonade out of lemons!

I think all of us secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly) dream of the day when such a thing could happen - to somehow integrate photography and employment in such a way as to incorporate environments that we already know.

I hope to see and hear more from you about these experiences!
Pixel Popper
Oct-02-2007, 10:38 AM
WOW! I am impressed and jealous. Way to make lemonade out of lemons!

I think all of us secretly (or maybe not-so-secretly) dream of the day when such a thing could happen - to somehow integrate photography and employment in such a way as to incorporate environments that we already know.

I hope to see and hear more from you about these experiences!

Thanks, Steph! But don't be jealous. You're a local girl, right? I'd be more than happy to get you access to these places if you want to come and shoot.

BTW, how was the shoot-out in the mountains?
DaddyO
Oct-02-2007, 05:31 PM
Sweet fortune. Amazing what can happen if one just knocks on the door.
Then another, and another, and another.... :wink

Really nice series of shots. Well done. :thumb :thumb :thumb
DesertRat
Oct-02-2007, 07:18 PM
I absolutely love #8!:clap It perfectly shows the animation that exists around a table with a still photo.

Mike
Pixel Popper
Oct-02-2007, 11:21 PM
Congratulations on the serendipity!

I'm glad it's all falling together for you. Best of luck and I hope it continues. I love to hear success stories.

Thank you very much, Dee. I'm trying not to get too full of myself over this turn of events. Wasn't it Steven Wright who said, "When everything in life is coming your way... You're in the wrong lane!" :D

Not that I think I am. Just trying to remain humble.

Cheers! :beer
Pixel Popper
Oct-02-2007, 11:25 PM
Sweet fortune. Amazing what can happen if one just knocks on the door.
Then another, and another, and another.... :wink

Really nice series of shots. Well done. :thumb :thumb :thumb

Many thanks, DaddyO! You're so kind to take a look. :D
Pixel Popper
Oct-02-2007, 11:34 PM
I absolutely love #8!:clap It perfectly shows the animation that exists around a table with a still photo.

Mike

Hey, DesertRat!

Thanks so much for the comment and the compliment. You know, when I saw the result of that shot, I was instantly pleased. Even though it doesn't really showcase the lighting, it has quickly become a favorite of the designer, as well.

Thanks for taking notice. :D
schmoo
Oct-03-2007, 05:12 AM
Thanks, Steph! But don't be jealous. You're a local girl, right? I'd be more than happy to get you access to these places if you want to come and shoot.

BTW, how was the shoot-out in the mountains?

That would be cool - if I ever get the time! The mountains (and Dgrinners) were great, but now the busy-ness of Real Life is hitting me full force. :cry
Pixel Popper
Oct-07-2007, 02:27 PM
It looks like I'll be back in this same building again on Wednesday to shoot a completely different show for a different company. Glad I got the practice run in! I'll also be purchasing some faster glass before the event which should help a lot in the low light situations. Thanks again, everyone, for all your comments. I'll post this week's shots if any of them are worthy of a look-see.

-Howard
Herman Auer
Oct-07-2007, 09:15 PM
Nice series, Pixel Popper! Had I been there myself, I would have opted for sitting at the table as featured in shot 8 (forward table). Looks like it was great event...

Cheers - Herman
leaforte
Oct-07-2007, 09:22 PM
Truly a Gala!
Awais Yaqub
Oct-07-2007, 10:09 PM
Fantastic photos ! :clap
Pixel Popper
Oct-08-2007, 11:50 PM
Nice series, Pixel Popper! Had I been there myself, I would have opted for sitting at the table as featured in shot 8 (forward table). Looks like it was great event...

Cheers - Herman

Thanks, Herman. Yup, that was a table of beauties, alright. Too bad I didn't think of going back to get some shots of them without the artistic motion blur. But then again, that would have removed all the mystery.:D
Pixel Popper
Oct-08-2007, 11:52 PM
Truly a Gala!

Indeed. They have some blow-out gatherings in that space, night after night. From what I understand, it costs $50,000 USD per night to rent that room. You have to REALLY want to throw an impressive party to go that far!
Pixel Popper
Oct-08-2007, 11:53 PM
Fantastic photos ! :clap

Thanks, Awais. I haven't seen you posting for a little while. Good to see you back in the game! :D