shooting at a gym - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

04/11/2013 06:40:56 PM · #1

my wife got me a gig shooting a gym class, aerobics, cross fit, kickboxing etc.

i'm going to talk to the owner tonight and out what he needs and go look at the location before i give a quote.

anything i need to be concerned with that i should keep in mind? has anyone done anything like this?

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

04/11/2013 06:47:19 PM · #2

I probably gotta imagine there are going to be a few people who'd rather not be photographed while they sweat it out in their grubbies. You can do some staged stuff with employees pretending to be clients or make sure you have model waivers if the gym is going to put this on their website or something (often businesses don't even think of this consideration).

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/11/2013 06:52:05 PM · #3

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Definitely this. Make sure everybody who is coming for the class knows in advance, or they may be surprised, which should be read as pissed.
The ten thousand mirrors also might pose some interesting problems or may act as an aid. Be ready for that.

Message edited by author 2013-04-11 18:52:55.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/11/2013 07:47:31 PM · #4

Mirrors is a big issue, also lighting, which is usually awful. Find out if you can bring strobes/speedlights, which can be dangerous for gymnastics. Always carry model releases with you, because almost nobody has them on hand.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/11/2013 08:00:11 PM · #5

good info, i haven't talked to him yet, just left him a message, but from what my wife tells me the class is going to be put together specifically for the pictures.

i plan to talk to him about lighting when i scope it and and yes, im sure mirrors will be a big concern.

Johanna preempted my question on releases, i'll bring a stack. i have not seen the location, my wife tells me its only one wall of mirrors, so that should make things easier.

I am wondering if i should get a large softbox, im thinking my umbrellas will spill light and possibly cause reflections of the mirrors?

also, shutter sync. i have 1/250. fast enough to freeze kickboxng or fast movements of course my flash handle it if the ambient isn't too high...

just thinking out loud here. this is by far the most complicated setup i will attempt thus far, just making sure i cover my bases.

alfresco

Nikon D700

04/11/2013 08:09:55 PM · #6

David Hobby (Senor Strobist) has a post about lighting a mirrored room. It sounds similar/maybe/kinda to what you're doing (assuming the mirrors are an issue).

Message edited by author 2013-04-11 20:17:56.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/11/2013 08:16:51 PM · #7

that's a great article, thanks for that!

tanguera

Nikon D750

04/11/2013 11:03:00 PM · #8

Another thing you might want to consider is bringing either a large roll of white parchment paper, or a white sheet to hang over the window (if you're lighting from outside) to act as a modifier and create a giant softbox.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

04/12/2013 07:03:35 AM · #9

If it is for the class I would light it to look like natural window light. You can always grab a few more dramatic lighting shots of key individuals.