Fashion runway photography: Hi all!!! I have been asked to be the photographer at a High School Fashion Show. I have never done one of these as I am either shooting wildlife or action...

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

Hi all!!! I have been asked to be the photographer at a High School Fashion Show. I have never done one of these as I am either shooting wildlife or action sports. There will be a runway and I will be the only photographer so location is not the issue. My question is I will be using a Canon 5d Mark iii and would like to know which lenses I should bring. I am assuming that they would not appreciate flash photography. There is a dress rehearsal the night before which will give me the opportunity to try out some of the great advise that I will be receiving. Thanks in advance. The rehearsal is next Tuesday and the Show is Wednesday. There will probably be spot lights as well.

amehta Loc: Boston

Donkas1946 wrote:

Hi all!!! I have been asked to be the photographer... (show quote)

I think the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS would be good with the 5D Mark III. If you have gotten the monopod, I would use it also, to keep things sharper. I would check with them about the flash, I think it might be okay, and would significantly improve the pictures since it will help you freeze the movement. If you have someone stand at the end of the runway, with the lens at 70mm you can figure out where you want to stand. You can then zoom in for shots further back on the runway. Depending on how high the runway is, you might see if you can get above floor level yourself, so you aren't shooting up. You might also want to position yourself at an angle to the runway, rather than lined up with it, so when you get a shot of the person at the end, you don't have others behind them in the shot.

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

I do have that lens and thanks for the help. They said that I have full control over what I want so that will be a good place to start. I also have the 24-70 2.8 and will probably bring that as well. thanks again!

amehta wrote:

I think the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS would be good with t... (show quote)

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I think you will find that you will use the 70-200 about 95% of the time. If they will allow you to use a flash, do so. A step ladder would be helpful. An angle at the end of the runway, as suggested, would be ideal. Have fun.

amehta Loc: Boston

Donkas1946 wrote:

I do have that lens and thanks for the help. They said that I have full control over what I want so that will be a good place to start. I also have the 24-70 2.8 and will probably bring that as well. thanks again!

I think you will use the 24-70mm at the beginning and end, but the 70-200mm the rest of the time. The action is localized enough that the wide angle isn't generally useful.

GrayPlayer Loc: Granby, Ct.

"wild-life or action" You will be in your element.
Vary position, watch the background, check exposure frequently.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Donkas1946 wrote:

Hi all!!! I have been asked to be the photographer... (show quote)

I think they would EXPECT you to use a flash to freeze the action and I think it would give the kids a sense of being "stars"! I've done one and had a lot of fun. Good luck. I wouldn't even attempt it without a flash though. Can't remember what lens I used. I've upgraded to 50 and 85mm portrait lenses since then. But prime lenses would be a challenge on a runway because you'll want to get them coming down the runway and at the end.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

donnahde wrote:

I think they would EXPECT you to use a flash to freeze the action and I think it would give the kids a sense of being "stars"! I've done one and had a lot of fun. Good luck. I wouldn't even attempt it without a flash though. Can't remember what lens I used. I've upgraded to 50 and 85mm portrait lenses since then. But prime lenses would be a challenge on a runway because you'll want to get them coming down the runway and at the end.

My thoughts too. Take a look at the runway shows on TV. Lots of flashes going off and I think you will find the same with parents at this show. I would try for the end of the runway and get both a front and back shot. They usualy pose at that point and turn around and pose again. - Dave

GordonB. Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl.

There are rarely follow spots used in real fashion shows, but who knows about a smaller version.
During Fashion Week in NY, all over head lights are not
gelled in order not to have a color-cast on the fabrics.
It should be a relatively simple shoot.
In the up-scale shows in NY and fashion capitals of the world, no flash.

Good luck,
Gordon

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

Thanks so much for all your help!! I'm feeling a little more confident now anyway. Thank God there is rehearsal the night before. Again thanks a lot as usual!!

jockellis Loc: Cumming, GA

In a no flash show, wouldn't you probably use something f2 or faster meaning carrying several bodies just like lensmen of yore, with 50, 85 and 35 or some such spread?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

GrayPlayer wrote:

"wild-life or action" You will be in your element.

Exactly what I thought. :D

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

donnahde wrote:
I think they would EXPECT you to use a flash to freeze the action and I think it would give the kids a sense of being "stars"! I've done one and had a lot of fun. Good luck. I wouldn't even attempt it without a flash though. Can't remember what lens I used. I've upgraded to 50 and 85mm portrait lenses since then. But prime lenses would be a challenge on a runway because you'll want to get them coming down the runway and at the end.

wilsondl2 wrote:

My thoughts too. Take a look at the runway shows on TV. Lots of flashes going off and I think you will find the same with parents at this show. I would try for the end of the runway and get both a front and back shot. They usualy pose at that point and turn around and pose again. - Dave

In February, I did a charity fashion put on by a high school.
I put up 2 studio strobes with large softboxes at the end of the runway, with my camera and my 35mm 1.8 on a tripod with a remote shutter release. I marked a place on the runway for the models to stand, and set the exposure and focus for that point.
I also carried another body with an on-camera flash for anything happening outside 'the zone'.
You can see my results on FaceBook at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.714962231875491.1073741836.141599602545093&type=1

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Wall-E wrote:

donnahde wrote: br I think they would EXPECT you t... (show quote)

Looks like the lighting worked out well. Too bad you couldn't find a better position to shoot the kids - withOUT the Exit sign behind them.

Here's a link to the one I did in 2012. It's a charity event where people donate gowns to those who can't afford them and they do a big hair/makeup/runway thing. I'm not completely happy with them but for my first foray into that kind of thing.... At this point now I should go thru and remove a bunch of these - hot spots on foreheads, soft focus, etc., but at that time that might have been the only shot of that particular kid I had so I didn't.

http://donnaharding.smugmug.com/Events/Formal-Dress-Project-2012/i-95zDqPR/A

Donkas1946 Loc: Southern NH

Thank you again so much I am getting better ideas as the replies keep coming. Thanks again!quote=donnahde]Looks like the lighting worked out well. Too bad you couldn't find a better position to shoot the kids - withOUT the Exit sign behind them.

Here's a link to the one I did in 2012. It's a charity event where people donate gowns to those who can't afford them and they do a big hair/makeup/runway thing. I'm not completely happy with them but for my first foray into that kind of thing.... At this point now I should go thru and remove a bunch of these - hot spots on foreheads, soft focus, etc., but at that time that might have been the only shot of that particular kid I had so I didn't.

http://donnaharding.smugmug.com/Events/Formal-Dress-Project-2012/i-95zDqPR/A[/quote]