time spent? - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

09/25/2005 04:16:50 AM · #1

for my "Beverage" entry I've spended over 3 hours to get the final result, and shot like 100 photos to get exactly what I wanted.

Is this weird or do you guys do just the same? What's the longest time you've spent for a DPC-photo?

faidoi

Pentax K10D

09/25/2005 04:23:38 AM · #2

Including shooting less then 1 hour. Maybe that's why I've never placed higher then 4th :(

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

09/25/2005 04:58:16 AM · #3

I don't think you can say when you spend much time for a photo you'll get a better one. Maybe I want things just a little too perfect (can't find the word, perfectionistic? haha)

m2iw

Nikon D2Xs

09/26/2005 01:43:11 AM · #4

I wouldnt say its unusual to spend loads of time on a F&B (Food & Beverage) shot. In fact, I know a pro that once spend 4 hours on a muffin advertisment. I find that F&B shots are really challenging for many reasons - its hard to make food look appealing in photography and usually there is much preparation that needs to be done in order to get things right before you even take the shot.

Personally, for the beverage challenge, I was just in the right place at the right time, WITH MY CAMERA and got a good shot. I wanted to shoot something common, in a slightly different way, so I chose an unusual lens for shooting my entry. Sometimes it just works out that way.

I do tend to agree with you that you cannot spend too much time to get things right. However the reality is that usually there are too many time constraints to shoot things in that manner. I am generally on a tight schedule to get my shots and get to my next location as plane tickets are scheduled or my next client is waiting. Many times, I do wish that I could spend more time to get things perfect. The counterbalance is that I can spend more time in post production and editing but as you probably already know, if the "take" wasnt right to begin with, then post production is rarely an answer.

Hope thats not too much info. :)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

09/26/2005 02:02:50 AM · #5

There are a LOT of people in DPC that spend more than 3 hours on their challenge "assignments"... And as lonewolf said, shooting food/beverage setups is technically very demanding and takes considerable tiem to accomplish. IN our studio, the few times we did food seriously, we'd spend a whole DAY testing lighting etc to get a good setup with "standin" subjects just to be ready for the art directors/editors/stylists that came the next day. And the shoots themselves would run for 2-3 days to produce maybe a dozen finished images.

R.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

09/26/2005 03:58:58 PM · #6

@ Lonewolfone: you had the luck you were there at the right time. Very curious for your entry!
Sometimes I just planned a day to go out or stay in and working with the thing I love : photography. For my study I HAVE to, there's no way I can not make the time for it. But like I said: I want things perfect, even if it does cost me 3 hours ;-)

@ Robert: I know when working in a studio you have to fix lighting, but that's professional work. I can understand it had to be perfect then. But in my case, I'm still doing it for fun, so when the shot is ok, it's ok. No need to test the lighting for a whole day if the only light I use is the sun or a light bulb ;-)

m2iw

Nikon D2Xs

09/27/2005 03:30:02 AM · #7

Originally posted by biteme:

hanneke,
I think that you'll find that your time is a great investment and concentrating on the details of a single shot will, in the end, result in better photos. The more that you shoot, the more that you will develop your own style and workflow, so I imagine as you continue to practice you will start to notice that the things that used to take you a long time to complete will not take nearly as long as they used to.

In regards to studio work and shooting food, you might be surprised to find that its not only the lighting that requires a lot of work. Usually the food itself is the real challenge. Personally, I have used a number of items to improve the look of the item that I was shooting - usually rendering the item inedible! I'm sure that Robt. can attest to the use of oil & water spray mixes, liquid lacquer, clear liquid floor wax, and last but not least..... Hairspray! All of these items can be used to improve the gloss or overall look of food in the studio. Then there is the table setting to deal with - the angle of the plates and surround items, etc etc... F&B photography is very involved. Maybe that is one of the reasons why I dont do much of it! lol.

Oh and before I forget, in regards to my shot for Beverage, I had been shooting all day with one of my fisheye lenses - the Sigma 8mm - and when I decided to retire for the day to the local pub.... well, lets just say that opportunity knocked. :)

Message edited by author 2005-09-27 03:31:55.

shadow

Sony DSC-W1

09/27/2005 03:42:42 AM · #8

i spent roughly only 30 minutes for all my photo submissions, from shooting to post-processing.

i'm not worthy :(

lowonenergy

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/27/2005 04:58:54 AM · #9

To be honest, I didn't spend much time on the Beverage challenge.
The idea popped up in my head, took my cam and shot couple of photos.

Think max. time I spend on it 15min's hehe... ;-)

Riponlady

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

09/27/2005 06:18:32 AM · #10

I tend to take hours out taking pics because that's the bit I love but probably only half an hour after processing it because that's the bit I'm not sure of. Hence if I get a great photo it does better because I don't play around too much with it and ruin it!

P