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Topic: art directing photo shoots
| Author | Message |
| elleemby | Posted – 6/13/2007 5:33:05 PM | show profile As an editorial art director "wannabe," I'm having a hard time with photo shoots ... nothing in school ever prepared me for them. I don't even know what to really ask here, but I'm just in need of some guidance from those who have a lot of experience in it. I have no trouble with the scheduling and arranging and hiring, but it's the actual image creation and visualization I stuggle with, most notably in still life imagery. As an underling, I get stuck on my desire to please/appease my boss' vision and I get very intimidated by the whole shoot situation and the photographers (even tho all the ones I've worked with are very nice), so that I end up with a blank brain, can't think of any ideas of my own and just agreeing to the first thing I see. Any thoughts or suggestions anyone might have on dealing with this aspect of being an art director would be greatly appreciated. |
| flight risk | Posted – 6/13/2007 6:23:42 PM | show profile I take it your magazine doesn't have a photo editor? If you're the acting art director you should know what you want compositionally. It?s like picking stock or hiring an illustrator. You hire somebody that has a style you like and will produce work that fits your design and conveys the tone of the piece. Just let the photographer know what your goals are and let him or her work. Do alternate shots/angles/positions to cover yourself. |
| foto | Posted – 6/13/2007 9:53:25 PM | show profile First of all...calm down!!! If the photographer you are working with are good, they should have good ideas obout composition, lighting angles, etc. (I'm a still life photographer). I know a photo shoot with all the assistants, stylists, models clients etc can be overwhelming. But after you've done a few of them you'll relax and start contributing ideas. Just pick photogs you feel comfortable working with. |
| skirklan | Posted – 6/14/2007 11:00:04 AM | show profile | email poster Art Directing a Photo Shoot I've written a 3 part series on art directing a photo shoot; it's informative and covers some of the pitfalls. It will make you laugh as well as encourage you. Good luck. Look for Photo Shoot 1, 2 & 3 here: http://blogs.graphicdesignforum.com/skirkland Good luck. ------ Susan Kirkland author of Start and Run a Creative Services Business--2 FREE POD cartoons for a giggle at www.sdkirkland.com |
| kramer.dana | Posted – 1/6/2008 4:41:48 PM | show profile | email poster question in regards to art directing a photoshoot... Hello... I am new to this message board but I just have a question for you all. I am a recent grad and an aspiring magazine art director but I really want to get into the art directing of photoshoots as well. In addition to wanting to be a part of the creative direction, I also love the organizational process of putting it all together and planning the shoot. The problem is that I really have no experience, I have have experience in photography but more in Graphic and Layout Design. And the photshoots I have worked on were very small studio shoots. How can I break in to this field, and who exactly does the art directing on photoshoots? Is there a position at a magazine for a person who wants to organize a shoot, art direct it and then make the final layout in the mag? If so, what is this position called? |
| ConfidentDesigner | Posted – 1/7/2008 7:27:37 PM | show profile It's certainly NOT rocket science! The AD always art directs the shoot. You need to have the concept, the props, model, etc. and if you're working with a good photographer, he/she will know what to do. They handle all the lighting, etc. All you need to do is be there to look at what they've shot and adjust accordingly. It's not that hard and you shouldn't fret about it. |
| kim780 | Posted – 1/8/2008 6:27:10 PM | show profile it's a collaboration at the magazines i have worked (4 national titles) the art direction has come from a variety of people- usually the photo editor (who sets up the shoot as well) is the number one point person for direction/production. sometimes art director and designers come on the shoots, but not always and they generally give input about what will work best on the page- since they design the layouts - vertical vs. horizontal or tighter vs. more pulled back. often fashion editors or food editors (depending on what you are shooting and the focus of the magazine) will come on the shoot as well to help direct since the pages are in their section and they know best about what the story is supposed to convey. so, basically it is always a collaboration- the photographer, stylist, photo editor, art director/designer, and section editor will usually work together to create the images. it may seem scary at first, but the important thing is to go with your gut- if you think the shot would be better with a lighter background, just ask the photog to try it out and see if it works. if it doesn't, no worries. you tried. good luck! |
| cabaraba | Posted – 1/9/2008 2:27:53 PM | show profile the glamourous photo-shoot I am new to art directing as well. It sounds very glamourous, but it is a big responsibility! I am an editorial/layout designer, and landed a weekly publication design position where I also have AD responsibilities for our covers and features. There are only 2 designers, including me. NO ONE else in the art department. It is very exciting, but I'm learning SO much. It truly is a collaboration, and you learn as you go. I'm still discovering which photographers are better for certain things, and which people work well together. To be successful you mainly need to have a strong vision, and go with it. Be open to suggestions, but also be determined in your thoughts (and be able to communicate them!). All I can do is take advantage of this opportunity and run with it. I have a lot of creative freedom, which is VERY hard to find in the industry. |
| badcam | Posted – 1/10/2008 4:37:27 PM | show profile | email poster art directing photo shoots As a photographer and sometime assignment coordinator I've had quite a bit of experience both working with Art Directors and directing photo shoots myself. First of all be clear with the photographer about what you want before the shoot starts. If you want a tight headshot with dark, moody lighting for the lead page of your interview say so! You may also want to suggest a few alternatives, just in case. It's always good to ask for 3 kinds of shots as well: 1) Over all wide shots that give context to your images 2) Tight shots - just faces, close up on the action 3) detail shots - someone's hand(s), tattoo, belt buckle, ... Then don't micro-manage once the shoot starts - but do check in once in a while to make sure you like the shots your photographer is getting. One of the most frustrating things for me as a photographer is being on a shoot with an Art Director who OKs what I'm shooting at the time, and then tells me that they were hoping for something else once they are laying out the story. Don't worry about hurting my feelings, please tell me what you want! I'm there to get the best possible images for you. Good Luck! Berta A. Daniels |
| ArtDir | Posted – 1/14/2008 6:04:53 PM | show profile I would suggest trying to cover all your bases (or butt, as it may be). This would mean tight/wide, vert/horz, left- and right-facing, etc. etc. Brainstorm with the photographer, get their input, think about the layout and your needs. Then let the photographer do their job and only check every few dozen or so frames. Don't move from a setup until you've had a look and made sure you see something that works. And depending on the type of shoot, think in terms of the story. Meaning: there needs to be a beginning, middle and end. So what is your big opener? Then what should be the detail/middle shots, and what sets the closing mood best? Think impact, pacing, structure, story. And have fun with it... one of the best parts of the job. |
| jackbauer | Posted – 2/21/2008 2:11:45 PM | show profile Mhhh |
| jackbauer | Posted – 2/21/2008 2:12:09 PM | show profile Mhhh |
