Editorial Exposure

Following a fortnight’s unreliable, unprofessional, timewasting “models”, I was delighted to find a message from Efi. She wanted to shoot an editorial theme, in central London.

I don’t shoot much editorial, nor do I visit the capital much these days. However, I knew she’d show, on time, fully prepared and full of enthusiasm. We met at St Paul’s Station, and these steps proved an ideal starting point.

The public can pose a real challenge. Thankfully, even in London, most people have proven discrete and respectful. Nonetheless, the sheer volume can frustrate. I took a series of frames laying on my side, timing shutter presses exactly.

Waiting for them to leave the frame completely was futile. I had no desire to spend extended periods removing them, in post-production, either.

Efi has a very clear idea of what she wants to achieve, which is extremely helpful. This is matched only by her work ethic. We went through three outfit changes and walked at least five miles.

Aside from stopping every few frames to assess progress, poses and styles, we worked for four hours. Light was fading fast, towards the end, my little Samsung NX3000’s F2 lens was struggling to keep pace. Ideally, I like to keep the ISO at 100, for optimal quality. I didn’t want to be encumbered by a tripod either.   

Predictably, the Sony’s 1.8 fared much better. I’d like to add a 50mm 1.4, to my ensemble, at the right price. Ordinarily, my location shoots are done by 1530-1400 during December.

Studios are less prescriptive, set up for f8 (f7.1, sometimes 5.6) and 1/125. Well within the scope of most kit lenses. However, where appropriate, I enjoy the variety and challenge of location work.

David Bailey once remarked that “Cameras have attitudes”; Context is crucial, and it seems he is referring to the attitudes they invoke. Those expressed by the photographer and those, being captured by them.

I’m inclined to suggest this also applies to camera attitudes/personalities. Both the Samsung and Sony developed an annoying, intermittent focusing fault. One which has never struck before, and has (famous last words) been exorcised…