Any ideas for shooting a politician...WITH a camera!

Hello there Everyone,


So I have an interesting shoot coming up. I have to take publicity stills for a gentleman running for The House of Representatives. Everything will be taken on locations such as courthouses, fire stations, and the like. Has anyone ever shot anything like this? Any suggestions? Lighting? Poses? Background subject matter? Anything? The candidate doesn't have anything in mind except he wants to look dignified. Not much help there. So feel free to drop any comments or suggestions.


Thanks,


Victor

I shoot stuff like this occasionally. I like to shoot these with wide angles. I'd suggest trying to avoid posing. I like to shoot away with them naturally interacting with other people. The shots usually have a personal and engaged look that will come across very sincere. Posed pics usually looked posed, but sometimes they are what is called for. Make sure, when posing, the distance between him and other is balanced and not too distant. Hand shake shots should involve his other hand on shoulder or bicep, to imply warmth and draw the subjects together.


Shoot from an angle slightly below and upward. Only shoot downward from the back when he is in front of large groups to show the vast audience.


Also try to capture him looking like an everyday guy at work, in his office shirt, tie, jacket off. Use natural ambient light with soft fill flash when necessary.

Make sure they are not in front of a mirror. Politicians have no reflection and the image will not look real. Be sure not to wear a cross because this will cause them to put their arm in front of their face to block the view (they can not stand the sight)and will ruin the shot.


JeffersonPoster

Thanks Keith. A lot of helpful hints. Just what I was looking for. I appreciate it. Some will have to be posed shots unfortunately. I think he wants to use some for Campaign posters and banners.

What about a garlic t-shirt? I do have to have some protection. LOL

Okay. I feel like I have to ask the forbidden question...but what should I charge for this? My usual paying gigs are marketing photography, events, and senior portraits. Taking pictures of chefs, fine cuisine, teenagers, fashion shows, and store fronts doesn't seem to compare with shooting a political candidate. I don't want to break the bank on his campaign funds and I'm kind of hoping I can roll this into more gigs. If you don't want to discuss pricing in the forums you can shoot me an e-mail at: covenant_arts@yahoo.com


I really do appreciate anything and everything.


Thanks,


Victor

<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"]Keith B has it fairly well, but I don't like to usewide angles. Politicians are usually very camera-aware, which can show up in your shots (looking artificial, stiff, &amp;/or shiftier than usual). If you want to catch a candid shot, it's better to use something slightly long (sans flash). Stand back a little, then frame and/or crop tight for that sense of intimacy. Take a lot of shots (burst mode helps).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joback

<span style="font-size:12pt;color:black;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:'Times New Roman';mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA;"]Keith B has it fairly well, but I don't like to usewide angles. Politicians are usually very camera-aware, which can show up in your shots (looking artificial, stiff, &amp;/or shiftier than usual). If you want to catch a candid shot, it's better to use something slightly long (sans flash). Stand back a little, then frame and/or crop tight for that sense of intimacy. Take a lot of shots (burst mode helps).

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Thanks. Wides are my style. I love to shoot with my 16-35 and my 24 1.4 in really difficult light situations. I don't disagree with the tele shooting either. If you don't normally shoot with wides, composition can be tough.


As far as charging; Since it location stuff I'd say just put an hourly amount to it. Maybe do $2X for first hour and then $X after that to make sure it is worth your while if it is only and hour of work. I think you need to decide what value X is. I think it has a lot to do with you expertise and geographical location.

Thanks, Keith. When doing event photography, wides are an excellent way to gowhen capturing the croud and ambiance of the event. Wides just don't make good portrait lenses. A wide lens can give someone a balloon head and tiny feet. That's a sure way to earn a sock in the nose! If you're taking a pictureto pleasesomeone with a big ego, use a protrait lens.Canon's 70-200lenson afull-frame sensor is just about perfect for most candid situtations, with a wide on a secondary camera. That's my two cents worth, anyways.

I wouldn't do portrait with ultra wide. I was more talking about the 24 to 35mm range. He seemed to be talking about environmental portraits. I was talking more of the type of shots you'll see from the White House photogs.If you shoot straight on you shouldn't get balloon heads or tiny feet.

Good point, Keith.Everyone has their own favorite style. Speaking only for myself,I can see unacceptable perspective warpingusinga 50mm lens. If the purpose isdo a flatteringportrait of someone, I wouldn't go less than 70mm on a full-frame.Another advantage ofgoing long in a public situation is that the politician needs to be the center of attention. If you're using a short lens, you have to get too close to get the shot. In other words,you become too intrusive. It's not your place to be part of the action--you're just there to documentit. When shooting at a public venue, go long-ish and stay out of the way. If there are other photographers on scene, they'll thank you fornot blockingtheir shots.

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I'll probably be using my 24-105mm f4 and a 70-200mm f2.8 on a 50D. For really wide angle all I have is the ef-s 17-85mm which I'll have with me too. Seems likely I'll be shooting around a courthouse (exterior) and some other locations of that nature. In July I'll be shooting indoors around the public/media for his official announcement.

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Originally Posted by jeffersonposter

Make sure they are not in front of a mirror. Politicians have no reflection and the image will not look real. Be sure not to wear a cross because this will cause them to put their arm in front of their face to block the view (they can not stand the sight)and will ruin the shot.


JeffersonPoster
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Jefferson, you forgot to mention that red-eye needs to be avoided at all costs. Like many nocturnal predators, politicians eye's light up green under direct flash and red-eye removal software will not work!