PH Studio Shoot....Updated

PH Studio Shoot....Updated

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Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
quotequote all
As some of you may know, the PH offices are based at Haymarket HQ in Teddington, which is also home to the rather large LAT photographic studio.

The LAT studios are purpose built for car photography, and houses literally all of the kit that pro- photographers need to take any type of car picture. Not only are the studios used for magazines such as Autocar and What Car, they are also used for bespoke shoots for car manufacturers, scoop shots of unreleased cars and all types of racing cars too.

The chief studio photographer Pete asked me if PHers would be interested in bringing their cars along on a Saturday to shoot in the studio. You would need to bring your own camera but Pete would be on hand to give tutorials and offer tips and guidance throughout the day. You will also be able to use the lights and all other studio equipment as you wish, along with some of the lenses that LAT use to get specific shots.

Pete thinks that 4/5 cars would be the maximum on the day, but we would run sessions throughout the year based on demand. A charge will be made, and while we haven't worked out the exact costs yet, I guarantee that it will be very reasonable indeed.

Can I ask if anyone would be interested in this? Obviously we would like to gauge the number of people that are potentially interested before we forge ahead with the plans and make it happen.

Pete is also an experienced motorsport photographer, and we may be able to organise trips to race meets in the future where Pete will offer live tutorials at the circuit biggrin


Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
quotequote all
True, but hopefully when we get to some motorsports events later in the year, we'll be able to widen the appeal to those outside of the London area.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
quotequote all
No problem on the car front as at least one of the 5 or so people invited on the day will have a great car, but if not then we can always get one in to use.

If you do join us for the day, then you will shoot for the entire day. Everyone will shoot all of the cars, and will get plenty of time behind the camera.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
quotequote all
For those who would like more information on the studios themselves, please see here.

http://www.haymarketstudios.com/


Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
quotequote all
I've told myself off.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
quotequote all
No, you're not too late biggrin

At the moment we are only measuring the level of interest, and as it seems to be high we'll sit down tomorrow and thrash out some more details. Stand by for more info, and thanks for reacting so positively.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
quotequote all
I'll post with costs and dates tomorrow afternoon.

Beginners are more than welcome, as the aim is to educate rather than simply leave you to get on with it thumbup

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Tuesday 23rd March 2010
quotequote all
Good stuff chaps, thanks again for the interest.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
I've been working on it today and its looking very good indeed.

We need to wait on a couple of call- backs to confirm a few details on pricing and equipment, and once we have those details we'll be able to make a proper announcement.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow afternoon. Apologies.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
I’m pleased to be able to announce some further details on what the PistonHeads Photography Days we will be holding, after giving it some thought today.

We plan to secure a host of fantastic cars for you to shoot (think supercars, classics and racing heroes) which can be moved around the studio as we like throughout the day. Upon your arrival at 09.30 you will have the opportunity to have a good look at the car and familiarise yourself with the studio with a short briefing about the studio and equipment.

During the morning we will work through the various 'tricks of the trade' of the studio to help you learn how to shoot a perfect cover image using lighting effects and positioning, as well as receiving help on lens choice, shutter speeds and what angles work best (and why). We’ll manipulate some shots using software on the Mac and you’ll be able to use chief snapper Pete’s Canon as well as your own gear.

Tutorials will be relaxed and informal, and we’ll explain why it can sometimes take all day to get that perfect shot as we shoot away trying to get things just right. After lunch we’ll throw things to you. It will be your chance to tell us what you want to learn. Maybe you want to achieve a dark and moody shot or perhaps something bright and lively that will be good enough for a billboard advert? We’ll work through the scenarios together and will aim to have things wrapped up by 17.30. We think this is a unique experience, and something you won’t forget.

We will continue to work on the content and pricing, but at the moment we believe that the day will cost between £100- 150 (based on a group of 10 per day), although if we are able to find sponsors then this will drop accordingly. Not only will you leave with memory cards full of shots and increased knowledge of how these shoots are achieved, you will also receive a print of the best final shot of the day, as well as a PH T shirt and a host of the latest Haymarket magazines.

I'll update with dates and final pricing as soon as possible.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
Remember....the cars we get in do not add a penny to the cost of the day. They are an added bonus that we will secure from relevant manufacturers.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
Join us biggrin

In all seriousness, I hope to have the first session ready for the end of April (a Saturday). If anyone would like to register for this session then please add your name to this thread.

Assume that the price will be no more than £150 but may well be cheaper. Updates will follow on this thread either tomorrow or early next week.

If you are interested in the April session then please register here:

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Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
havoc said:
Edit: Paul - I suspect a lot of attendees would want some time to shoot their own car (whether that's a 15y.o. "GTi" or a brand-new Fezza), rather than just brought-in cars. What sort of a mix (& total quantity of cars) are you aiming at?
Initially we are going to run with one rather special studio car that will already be there when you arrive.

However, there are plans to run a couple of days using readers cars in the future (if demand is there), but initially we want maximum studio (and training) time and so using one car avoids the need to clean cars, move cars, re- set up lights etc.

If these events are successful, and we have enough interest, then we can expand to using a variety of cars, teaching moving car techniques, attending live motorsport sessions (as mentioned before) and a host of other subjects too.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Friday 26th March 2010
quotequote all
We'll update you on any price changes as things progress.

The point of this day isn't simply to shoot a car in a studio, more of an educational day for those who want hints, tips, guidance and advice on technique. The car we shoot will almost be a prop (albeit a glamorous, rare and beautiful one).

It may well be that we do a simple 'readers cars in the studio' day for a set fee later in the year, but initially the days will be in the form of a tutorial/ live training environment, but we'll try and accommodate those that simply want some studio time a little later into the year.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Friday 26th March 2010
quotequote all
I doubt a pro would want to come along, and that's not the point anyway.

You can come as an absolute novice (like me) or be someone who has been at it for years and would class themselves as competent.

A more competent chap might hear some things they already know but they will also learn stuff that they don't too from a pro who does this day in, day out.

Pete will go around and spend time with you all, and as a result will be able to tailor his approach to suit the individuals needs.

In a nutshell I would suggest this is for anyone who classes themselves as an enthusiast (any level of) rather than pro, or even semi- pro.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Friday 26th March 2010
quotequote all
We'll probably run this day in April first, and will then release the rest of the years line up after that.

It's worth suggesting techniques that you might want to learn on here, to help us formulate future days.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Sunday 28th March 2010
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Noted Jonny, cheers thumbup

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Sunday 28th March 2010
quotequote all
Great stuff, I'll let you know dates as soon as possible.

I got your e-mail too, cheers biggrin

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Wednesday 31st March 2010
quotequote all
Sorry chaps, I've not forgotten about this!

The snapper we will work with for these days has taken a week off, so I can't sit down with him until next week to get it all sorted.

Please accept my apologies frown

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

241 months

Wednesday 7th April 2010
quotequote all
Right then chaps, we have a date. The first PistonHeads Studio Session will take place on Saturday 24th April.

The day will run from 09.30- 17.00 and will include lunch (at the pub next door) and teas and coffees throughout the day. You'll also get some free PH stuff to take away on the day.

The agenda for the day will be as follows:

09.30 - 10.00: General welcome and studio rules

10.00 - 12.30: Studio shoot of car – learn how to light a car in a studio. We’ll try to shoot 3-4 main angles, and teach the techniques of perfect lighting along the way. Everyone will be able to ask questions and see first hand the way to achieve the perfect shot, regardless of experience level.

12.30 - 13.30: Lunch at the pub next door. Chat and choose the cars for the afternoon session.

13.30 - 16.30: Shoot your cars (max 4 different cars 1 angle of each) You take control of lighting and shooting the car of you choice, working in small groups.
During the afternoon you will be able to ask technical photographic questions, see how image are developed on a Mac in post production and get one-on-one advice. if you would rather continue to work with the studio car, that will be fine.

16.30 - 17.00: End of play. Time to review the day and ask any final questions before close.

This session will be priced at £150 per person, and if you are interested in taking one of the ten available places please e mail me through my profile with your name and address details.

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