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

[Keith B]

<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).

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.

[joback]

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.

[Keith B]

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.

[joback]

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.

[Victor Pelino]

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.