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12/29/2008 11:46:33 PM · #1 |
Hello... Please bear with me - I'm brand new to the photography world! I'm wondering how you go about finding locations for shoots?? I've only lived in this area that I'm in now for a couple of months and must admit I've never scoped out photography locations - Just got my gear here recently.
I'm looking to do portrait work with local models for TF*. Hopefully I'll get some hits from modelmayhem. I would like to have some places picked out ahead of time... so.. how do YOU pick yours out? Do you go with out of town isolated areas to keep from having distractions? Do you go with downtown busy areas? How do you deal with people in the area who look at you like you're nuts? lol...
I do not have my own studio... So that's why I'm resorting to outdoors for now... :)
Thanks again for any help!!! I know I probably sound dumb but it's just the newness... |
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12/29/2008 11:53:51 PM · #2 |
From one amateur to another: I would say take any opportunity you can to scope out the area - parks, beaches, spooky abandoned insane asylums, etc. Find maps of your area on the web. Join a local photogs group or get together with some local DPCers. Take notes on the locations to help catalog them for the types of portraits they might be good for. Take a friend / spouse / dog out to some places and use them as a model for practice.
LOL - just a search out of curiosity... |
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12/29/2008 11:56:05 PM · #3 |
| lol glad to see I'm not the only one with a DUMB question :) |
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12/30/2008 12:01:03 AM · #4 |
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12/30/2008 12:04:54 AM · #5 |
it's more the photo (compostion, content, lighting) than makes an image rather than the location. I did a shoot with a model that was in a dumpter enclosure that turned out quite nicely. However sometimes it is nice to have an interesting location, so just go drive or bike around and then make notes of places you might want to shoot at.
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12/30/2008 12:14:57 AM · #6 |
| Some of my best photographic outings have been random--drive down random roads, walk down random streets. Some of the other best outings have been with other photographers--we head to a location and then say "meet back here at x:xx o'clock". Photographers and painters are great to go out and about with--they aren't in a hurry to leave a place, and understand the "process" :-) |
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12/30/2008 01:14:29 AM · #7 |
I was once told by an amazing photographer in this area, don't look for it, let it find you.
listen to the ideas others who don't take pictures give. sometimes they might be right!
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12/30/2008 01:23:21 AM · #8 |
Welcome!  kawesttex is from that area. He's a great guide to the city for shooting. Might look him up.
Also...see this thread.
As for locations, keep a notebook and when you drive by somewhere you like...note where you are/where it was. I seem to always forget.... |
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12/30/2008 01:40:16 AM · #9 |
What look, feeling, atmosphere do you want for the pics? Urban, water, rural, or ?
Knowing the area helps of course. I do some geocaching and that's helped me find areas i'd never know existed otherwise -and i've taken seniors to places that at first description they think i'm nuts - but they don't think like a photographer.
I've found the places that average folks (like brides) think will be great for pics are not so hot. So often you have to make art out of pig's butt.
I prefer images that are 'out of place'. I think they are more arty in that they make the viewer stop and think about why things are are that way. What is the photographer trying to say?
  
  
These were taken within 200 feet of each other. The grafiti on the ICE machine courtesy of photoshop.
   
Message edited by author 2008-12-30 01:42:01.
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12/30/2008 06:02:10 AM · #10 |
It's something you just have to go out and do. Start scouting. Ask around.
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12/30/2008 06:17:32 AM · #11 |
Good morning Clay and welcome aboard DPC. I do alot of shooting right down on the riverfront of Shreveport. There are fountains, bridges, the river, a garden, benches, and pathways that provide a pretty good variety of backgrounds. Also there are some pretty good parks in Shreveport and the one I use the most is the one off of Line Ave that is behind an Art Museum. It's on the east side of the road and set back pretty far, not to far north of E70th street.
What part of Shreveport do you live in?
We are having a GTG for the Shreveport Mardi Gras on 21 Feb for the Gemini parade, come join us!
Shreveport Mardi Gras GTG
Ken |
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12/30/2008 06:35:33 AM · #12 |
Hey, that search reveals that I'm a champion originator of dumb questions! |
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12/30/2008 08:47:17 AM · #13 |
Shreveport?? I was there (at my in-law's place) over the Christmas holiday!
I don't know if this place is still there since I moved from Louisian in 1991, but you might try the Drift In Landing on Caddo Lake. Take Hwy 1 North from Shreveport for maybe 20-30 miles and it's on the right just before you cross the bridge over Caddo Lake. There used to be a dozen or so o-l-d houseboats tied up along the shore there, too. It's a tiny place but it has the look of an old bayou fishing camp. If it's still there, that is.
Caddo Lake
Another possibility might be the old Hamel's Park amusement park. I didn't realize it had closed down until we drove past it this week, but there are still some rides and buildings standing. I'm not sure what else is there that might be used as a location. It is on the NW corner of Youree Drive and Bert Kouns... I think. Right around there anyway.
Hamel's Park |
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12/30/2008 09:25:05 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
From one amateur to another: I would say take any opportunity you can to scope out the area - parks, beaches, spooky abandoned insane asylums, etc.
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That place isnt abandoned I still live there....they just let me out once in a while.
Matt
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12/30/2008 12:17:18 PM · #15 |
Here are a few locations from your neck of the woods:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
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12/30/2008 12:29:09 PM · #16 |
here is what i do... plan to go to a DPC get together, get all your gear and drive to the location (in my case downtown Seattle) then wait for an hour for everyone to show up. go back home with your dreams and hopes crushed. DO NOT listen to the other dpc'ers when they try to tell you that you showed up a week early.
Next take all the hurt,anger and betrayal you feel and push it down in yourself until it becomes a cold ball of hate/vengance in the pit of your stomache.
NOW, slowly and with the methodical precision of a brain surgeon, plot your revenge.
Or you could try Googling locations, whatever works best for you! Most importantly just have fun!
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12/30/2008 12:38:41 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by smardaz:
... take all the hurt,anger and betrayal you feel and push it down in yourself until it becomes a cold ball of hate/vengance in the pit of your stomache.
NOW, slowly and with the methodical precision of a brain surgeon, plot your revenge... |
Beautiful, true and guaranteed to work, 'cept I wouldn't plot a thing. I'd look through the viewfinder at the newly found world. |
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12/30/2008 01:45:11 PM · #18 |
A google image search can be a great place to start. I don't do tons of portraits (as is evidenced by my DPC portfolio) but I've found some fantastic locations this way for landscapes etc...
Its also a quick was to learn that some people have idea where things are really located. |
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