Very Very New

frankysinatra · Jun 27, 2011

I have been hired as the marketing guy at my job and we need new photographs of our products. We sell welding clothing and gloves and my boss specifically wants "action shots" and it is my job to go out and get them. I don't have a problem finding the shots. The problem is I have no idea what I am doing. Can anyone recommend a good camera and lens for these action shots? Keep in mind there are a lot of flashes due to the arc welding and I need to capture those flashes and still be able to focus on the glove (and the person) without flushing the color out from the light of the arc flashes. Also, tips for newbies would be greatly appreciated. In fact anything would help...

gsgary · Jun 27, 2011

If it were me i would be using off camera flash, because you will need to expose for the arc welding which will underexpose the gloves, so you need flash to give you a good exposure for the gloves

frankysinatra · Jun 27, 2011

That's not a bad idea. I can put it to the side of the person welding I just ahve to watch for things catching on fire

Also, is there a camera you would recommend?

y75stingray · Jun 27, 2011

You want to create acceptable commercial style shots without having any idea of what your doing? thats going to be tough my first suggestion would be to go to your local library or book store and read every book you can on basic photography and composition then when you fully understand that material maybe books on photographic lighting. there is alot involved in what you are trying to accomplish. A good camera and lens will not compensate for a lack of photographic knowledege. after you understand photography a little better you will see that your equptment really isnt super important and long as you have a reliable DSLR I would however suggest a telephoto lens for this style as it will allow you to choose your subject with greater ease. I hope this doesnt come off as a snotty remark just telling it like it is.

frankysinatra · Jun 27, 2011

No no no no no, not snotty at all. I really got thrown into this and I am completely clueless. Anything would help. Photography for Dummies is being bought tonight. I typically build websites so I use the photos that are usually given to me, this is a new area for me and apparently one wears a lot of hats at this job.

johnh2005 · Jun 27, 2011

Forget the Photography for Dummies. I have never read it but I can almost say without a doubt it will be a good amount of wasted time. Go out and get "Understanding Exposure" and "Learning to See Creatively" by Bryan Peterson. Get them used, get them at the Library. Just get them. These two books alone will give you a LOT of useful information. Getting the book Understanding Exposure will also give you access to a private part of Bryan's webpage that has some nice videos and how to's. Also go to youtube, and maybe search photographing welding or something like that for help.

Big Mike · Jun 27, 2011

Why not just hire a professional photographer. You'll get the job done in much less time and you'll have a professional product in the end.

If I had something important that needed welding, it would seem silly for me to ask which welding equipment I should buy and oh by the way, how do I use it?
Same applies here. Just hire someone who already has the equipment and the knowledge of how to use it properly.

Patrice · Jun 27, 2011

+1 on what Mike suggests.

The photos will represent your company's products and your company's reputation. A lot rides on the quality of the photography and the layout of the copy work. Photographers specializing, or with experience, in industrial products photographed in an industrial setting will have the proper gear and be knowledgeable with the techniques. Money well spent, I think.

frankysinatra · Jun 27, 2011

Thanks for the suggestions on what books I should grab john2005. Big Mike and Patrice. I wouldn't mind simply hiring someone, however, this gives me a great opportunity to expand my portfolio as well as get some experience on something I am interested in but haven't had the time to pick up. Also, my boss is far to cheap to pay 2500+ on a professional photographer. I have checked around to get some ideas because that is what he wanted in the first place but once he found out the price he flipped and the task was laid at my feet. I realize that I am in over my head right now but I would like to have this experience for the future.

johnh2005 · Jun 27, 2011

haha you don't work for the same company I do do you? My boss flipped when three years ago I wanted him to buy me a new GPS unit. I got it on sale and a bargained down price of a low low $32,000. Since then we have billed out almost $250,000 in just "GPS setup" fees. Go figure. If you feel you are out of your element completely, remind him that he is NOT SPENDING $2500 he IS INVESTING $2500. That lousy little $2500 could net him tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of new sales.

If you happen to know anyone that knows how to weld I suggest you get them to help you out and practice practice practice. If you don't... Try this... Go out and buy some sparklers! Yeah, that right, I said it. Sparklers! And guess what? The 4th of July is right around the corner! You could not have lucked out any better! Have someone hold one sparkler let, of course wearing your company's gloves! Then have then hold two, then three spread out, four spread out, four grouped in two's etc etc etc. Play with aperture and shutter speed to get the effects you want to get. Get some with wide open aperture and very fast shutter speed to freeze the sparks midair. Get some with a closed down aperture and a slower shutter speed to get the "shower" effect of the flowing "Plasma". If you get the books I recommended then you will have a much better idea of what I am talking about.

Just be fire safe!

Big Mike · Jun 27, 2011

Also, my boss is far to cheap to pay 2500+ on a professional photographer.

Most people would flip over the price to have a ticketed welder come out to their site for a job.
Sadly, this is one of the bad things about photography....people who don't know, think that anyone can do it because they think it's just point & click.

That being said, you're certainly not in a unique position. Every photographer has to start somewhere.

frankysinatra · Jun 27, 2011

I am not assuming I can point and click. I am, however, stuck in this position. So if you would like to help me out I would appreciate it.

johnh2005 · Jun 27, 2011

frankysinatra said:
I am not assuming I can point and click. I am, however, stuck in this position. So if you would like to help me out I would appreciate it.

Big Mike was not talking about you. He was talking about cheap ass people in general. It is funny but people who are not skilled in something often think that it is a simple matter. Like he said, people will flip about how much a welder will charge. I mean **** all he does it touch one hot thing to another and make them stick together. A plumber charges HOW MUCH? For freaks sake all you need is a monkey wrench some plumbers tape and a plumbers crack! How much for a photography shoot? WTF all you need is a camera, you turn it to the green thingy and press a button in the general direction of what you want to shoot. It is all about the years someone has spent honing their craft, the cost of their equipment, their ability to do what [you] cannot do yourself.

Like Big Mike said, you are not in a unique position. You have to start somewhere. However, where it gets tough for you is your job may be on the line here. I would highly suggest you check the stickies at the top of this forum as it will give you some guidance as well.

frankysinatra · Jun 27, 2011

Thanks again for the help john. Big Mike, I'm sorry I got frustrated, this is a tough spot for me. My company's image is on the line here. When it comes to the website, I have no problem making things look professional but this is a new branch for me. I understand what you mean about the experience and flipping out over costs, when I do freelance web des I charge around 2g depending on the site and what they want. Most people think that is insane but I am cheap compared to others out there. Let me know if you guys have any advice on cameras, I am headed to the library.

Patrice · Jun 27, 2011

franky sinatra (really?)

Looks like you don't have much of a choice but to jump in there feet first and then either sink or swim. Hope you can swim because as the marketing executive responsible for the add your neck is a bit exposed on this one.

There has been some helpful responses, that and some practice will start things along. Try a few things and then come back with photos and ask for more help with specifics if you can.

I suggest you do not put your eye to the viewfinder when trying this. Do the framing and manual focus BEFORE the welder sparks up. Then either trip your exposure remotely or time delayed. Don't look in the viewfinder with unprotected vision while he's welding, and you see a thing in there with welding goggles on.

This might be an application for a protective filter on the lens.

Also, if you are concerned about sparks on the camera then put it behind a screen or scrim and poke the lens out of cut out.

As for camera, almost any entry level dSLR and kit lens will work. Just make sure it has either a time delay feature or can be tripped remotely and can support off camera flashes somehow. They can almost all do this.

Johnh2005: The first GPS system I played with was a trailer mounted Collins. Then we went 'portable' with Texas Instruments TI-4100 receivers at $250,000(US) each! Bought 30 of them!