Shooting in the studio with a plain background is definitely the most convenient and preferred choice, but in the end, it can happen to be expensive. Also, these types of shots can be done a million times when once, your studio is ready.So, if you are a type of photographer who prefers to work outdoors rather than working in the studio; then an effort is required to be made in choosing the right location for your shoot. It is somehow challenging but in the end, the choice of your location will determine the success of your photo shoot. Also, your choice of the location will manipulate all other decisions about the photo shoot that includes lighting and which type of props to carry, which clothes the model should wear, and what could be the most suitable poses or how to make your model pose.
This blog will lay out a few basic principles that a photographer has to keep in mind while considering a particular location.
Lighting Conditions: You need to observe the lighting conditions of the location you will select so that you can get to know when is the sun brightest and when can the shadows be used in photography. All the lighting factors of a day are required to be considered. Light is a vital factor, and a major stress should be laid on it while choosing your location.
When you have this information in your hand, then it becomes easier to plan the combination of natural and artificial light so as to implement the same in a scene.
Appearance: There should be a proper analytics about the visual appearance of the location so as to judge the candidness of the same. Photography isn’t always done from one spot and angle. Explore the location from each point of view and find out the maximum merits for shooting at that particular location. The beauty of a location can be judged positively when it seems to be mesmerizing whenever it has been seen and catches the eye with the same authenticity if we look at it again.
While exploring, don’t forget to save the locations in your smartphones in the form of snaps if you aren’t using them presently, so that, it might be useful for your future photo shoots.
Accessible Location: You can’t afford a location where you aren’t able to take your all equipment. You need to be very cautious about the fact that your every tool and the model reaches safely at the location.
If your location is set up in such an area where you need to carry your equipment and so on through the help of manpower for long hours, then such type of locations are definitely not worthy to select.
Permissions for the Location Setup: Many locations require specific permissions before their usage. Locations like beaches, forts, national parks, private bungalows, and so on do require permissions. In certain cases, tariff/rent has to be paid for such a location.
If you need to keep your shoot extra small, without the need for huge equipment, then, in that case, permissions can be avoided. A camera and a model are the only ingredients of this shoot.
Setup a Nearby Shelter: Whenever you plan to shoot at outdoors, always keep in anticipation of bad weather in your mind. So, a backup should always be ready with you.
Look for such a location which has some sort of shelter which is near to the exact location that can help you avoid the situations of facing a rainfall which will further help you to keep yourself, your equipment, and your model dry.
SUMMARY
Picking up a location for your photo shoot happens to be the vital fragment of your shoot. You need to be careful while selecting a particular location because of many factors related to the same influences the success of your shoot. To avoid inconveniences and relations with your team and models all the afore-mentioned points should be kept in mind.
When you are scouting a location, you need to do research about the golden and blue hours, angles, weather, and accessibility.
Be prepared with the documents you require while you prefer to shoot at a particular location. It might be in the form of permissions so as to avoid legal constraints in your shoot.
Safety of models should be your priority. It will prevent the harm that can be caused to your photography brand.