Waking up at 5am to go do a new photo shoot is incredibly energizing. I woke up several times before 5 with anticipation of it being 5.
I also wanted to include the different things I find myself doing getting ready for a shoot. Being as I get excited, I have to write things down, or I'll forget something.
I'm pretty good at creating the list, but sometimes I'll forget to check things off after I do them. A minor clerical error at this time, but I'm going to work on this.
The next big step is to label a map and roughly plan my shots. Thanks to
The Photographer's Ephemeris App I was able to learn the orientation of the sunrise. This gave me a visual on a map to plan my shots around. I marked it on my notebook so I could have a quick reference.
Also in this section is the rough list of gear I wanted to bring. Like I mentioned previously, I usually write it down, pack it, and forget to mark it off.
Along with calling my shots, I try to think ahead in logistical ways. Especially in terms of food and bathrooms. These are those few things you want AND need.
When I find I have a free moment, but I don't want to move, or get a new shot, I like to write down notes before I forget. The information at the beginning of this post was pulled from the notes page listed here. It's also my future planning tool when I bring my family. If I know it takes me 20 minutes alone, it's going to take at least 35 minutes with 2 kids, a wife, the stroller, bags, etc...
I also write down lessons learned for setting up the next shot. For example, with the sunrise coming from behind the memorial, the Cherry Blossoms were underexposed. If I were to shoot with the sun behind me, I would have missed the memorial. As usual, it's all about location, location, location.
I setup two extra cameras to do timelapse sets. This was pulled from the GoPro Black Edition controlled by my iPod touch. This is the same configuration I mentioned previously in this
post.
Happy Friday and Mannr Cheers!
-Billy