Assignment #16, Scouting locations

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:40 am

There were times, I recall, where I had blocked out a period of time to go and take pictures. But when that time would come up, for one reason or another, I wouldn't feel up to the task. I had 3 choices:

1. Go out and shoot anyway. But the likelihood of getting a good shot under that mental attitude was very low.

2. Skip the shoot. Then I would feel guilty.

3. Scout locations. A good idea under those circumstances.

Scouting locations requires a certain level of discipline and will generally adhere to a specific format. But the burden of creating a meaningful photo is put off for the time being.

I always scout while carrying my point and shoot camera only. I would suggest that you do the same. If you carry your good camera you will be trying to turn out photos, while the purpose of scouting is to locate good shooting places.

I am going to suggest that you scout for a portrait location that meets the criteria of assignment #11 "canopy lighting for portraits". You can find the link in the "previous assignments" sticky.

If you never shoot portraits you can declare a different search.

For the purposes of canopy lighting for portraits search, try to look for something nearby and convenient. When I was on Long Island I liked to shoot at the county museums. Photos were not allowed in the buildings, but were permitted on the grounds. Most of these museums were Gatsby Period mansions that were converted and the grounds were large and quiet. During the week they were nearly deserted--ideal for shooting.

In any case you will need a camera and a notebook for this assignment.

Wherever you decide to look, when you see a likely location, you should shoot an overview shot to show the location, and another shot to show the proposed angle of view.

Your notebook should list:

1. Time the image was shot.
2. Times the lighting would be good
3. Description of location so it could easily be found

For instance I was in Chicago recently and I decided to scout a location for inclusion with this assignment. Here is the overview:

The subject would be posed under the overhang in the doorway on the left.

Time: early morning
Location: Chicago, Michigan Ave. & Illinois, west side of street
Canopy light
Lighting will be good from early morning until just prior to high noon. Later shift to the east side of the street.

Below I show the point of view that would be used for the portrait. The subject could be standing and leaning against the column.

The subject would be standing under the overhang of the doorway entrance. The overhang would be the light subtractor.

Do not try to commit this to memory. You will forget the locations almost as fast as you locate them.

Create a scrapbook with a small snapshot and the notations.

Just before going out to shoot, flip through the scrapbook and decide with location will be best. You could probably do this digitally, but I think an actual scrapbook with written notations would do as well. If you don't have a snapshot camera, a disposable would work fine.

Suggestions:

1. Don't take out the camera until you have decided on the location. Use your eyes to see the best spot.

2. Use a mask to help. A mask is a piece of cardboard, resembling a 35mm slide mount, with a hole cut in the center with the same aspect ratio as your camera produces. You look through the hole and move the cardboard closer or further from your face to "zoom". Beforehand establish the distance from your face that replicates the widest and longest zoom of your camera. Then only move the mask through that range. The mask can free up your vision because there is no burden to take a photo you are able too see better.

3. Once you have decided on a location take the overview and the point-of-view shots. Make your notations in your note book at that time or you will forget.

4. When deciding on what times of the day you would want to shoot it is useful to know which is east and which is west. If you shoot in the morning or late afternoon it is easy to determine. If you shoot at "high noon" (when the sun is high in the sky), it may be difficult.

5. This is the best time to watch backgrounds. With no subject to distract you, you should be able to select a point of view and a location that has a non-distracting background.

By scouting in advance you will waste less time during the shoot and you will almost certainly pick a better location.

This assignment is posted early because I will be out of town on the 15th. The assignment runs from the 15th to the end of the month.

You can post discussions at this time.

When you go back to the submitted location and actually shoot, either post the shot here or post a link to where you are posting the shot. That way we can see how successful the scouting actually is.

Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Southern California

I loved the assignment, only I wonder if you have an alterier motive. I am spending a week in Brekenridge, Colorado. So I thought it would be a great place to scout locations. But alas, I was so captured by the beautiful buildings and colorful flowers I ended up being more interested in the locations for themselves. Thanks for the wonderful day of picture taking.