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Shooting Less is More.
When digital cameras first became popular, I remember photographers who started taking 500 images at a wedding because they no longer had to worry about the cost of film. I even remember encouraging a few of them myself. After all, pixels are free, and if you don’t like the image later, it is easy to delete.
Of course, there were a few “die-hards” who continued to take dozens of images – like they did in film – and I tried to encourage them to take a few more images than they used to. After all, don’t top-end fashion photographers take dozens of shots of the same subject just to find the perfect pose?
I’ve come full-circle on the subject. Now I believe shooting less is more.
Here’s why.
• Photographers who shoot 500 images tend to show the client too many proofs. While choice is better in general, scientific studies have proven that too much choice confuses us, then stresses us, then tires us out. No one wants to sit through 2-3 hours looking at dozens of similar photos.
• Clients assume professional photographers are artists who know great photography, and only show them the best images. When clients are asked to decide among three or four versions of a cake photo, they begin to question that assumption.
• Shooting more images costs more time. It takes 5 times as long to edit 500 images in Lightroom as it does to edit 100 images. You are a professional. Your time is worth money.
• Pre-planning pays off. Before digital, professional photographers would take the time to visit a venue, discover some great locations, and give more thought to posing. Even if you are striving for a photojournalistic style, I’ve read that the best photojournalists spend time beforehand to make a shot look natural and candid.
• You don’t want to be compared to amateurs. If Uncle John just got a Canon EOS Rebel and suddenly thinks he’s a photographer, he’s going to set it to automatic and take a DVD full of photos. You don’t ever want your clients to compare you to Uncle John.
I’m not saying that if you unexpectedly see a great shot you shouldn’t take it. But if you learn the lessons from the old-timers – know your equipment, know your venue, and know how to pose – you should be able to get great photographs with fewer shots. That’s the mark of a professional.
What do you think?
Tags: photography
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September 3rd, 2010 at 9:58 am
Amen to that!!!!! I have been preaching from that book for years! One thing left out though- every shot you take brings your camera body one click closer to death! I’m not made out of money and do not feel like investing my hard-earned dollars replacing a 5D body.
I don’t understand deliberately telling a bride you’ll get “x” amount of photos when all is said and done. You can’t guarantee the bride or groom will show up on time. Not a smart business practice to say the least! As professionals, we do indeed need to explain the difference between us and “Uncle John”. We are artisans as well as business people or vise-versa depending on your point of view.
Visual proof should be what makes a client sign with us as well as outstanding customer service. Above all, we need to explain ourselves and our services. Tossing out a number of images guaranteed to “compete” with others or dear “Uncle John” just doesn’t make sense.
Thanks for bringing up this subject
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I totally agree with you, with a caveat. Back in the day, we took 300-400 shots on film, edited them down to the best 100-150 and presented these to the client, initially as paper proofs, later as projected 35mm slides, and still later as converted digital images on a 52″ TV. Most duplicate shots were of groups to get best with eyes open, good expressions, etc. Today, we shoot 1000-1500 shots for the same reasons (eyes open, best expressions) plus try a few new ideas at each event, plus more detail shots than before, plus a lot more PJ images because that is what clients say they want. However, we edit severly to get the final images to about 400 (never over 500). This doesn’t take that long if you stick to a style and format (only a little longer than it took to number proofs).
We project the images and our clients select the best for their album at that time. Since we are helping them select final images, 400 is not too many to show. However, if we have to do the proofing thing (never paper, only internet or low res CD), then 400 is still too many; 150 to 200 maximum are presented. Most clients appreciate the time we take with the projection session, and our chance for upselling is much improved.
Interestingly, last year we had to proof on the internet only twice. In one case, the clients finally ordered for their wedding book, after repeated calls of encouragement and reminder, 11 months later! In the other case, they STILL have not ordered! This is why I get paid in full up front.
Incidently, wedding photogs like David Ziser shoot up to 4000(!) images at an event, but he still narrows the final show to 400-500 images.