Skip to main content

Location Scouting

Lesson 16 from: Shooting for Stock Photography

Geo Rittenmyer

Location Scouting

Lesson 16 from: Shooting for Stock Photography

Geo Rittenmyer

buy this class

$00

$00
Sale Ends Soon!

starting under

$13/month*

Unlock this classplus 2000+ more >

Lesson Info

16. Location Scouting

Lesson Info

Location Scouting

The next video is about location scouting. So kinda getting an idea of what I was looking for at this location when I got there. Walking around, we'll get a little view of that. We're out here in Carkeek Park in Seattle, Washington. Pretty early today, trying to avoid some weather, get some good light. We're gonna do a couple outdoor shoots today. A trail running shoot and then more of a tourist shoot. So we'll start doing a little scouting, we'll look for some framing and see where we'll start this first trail run shoot. The first thing I notice out here is that the light is nice and flat. So I don't really have to worry about the shadows, shade and sun too much. The first spot that notice is this trail that's coming down out of the trees here. Looks like a really good spot to get different angles, and then this big open area that we're in here will also lend itself to some more locations and variations. I'm seeing these benches over here, you've got a cool, old rustic look, those wil...

l probably be fantastic for doing some warm-up and some stretches. Getting different angles there. Lots of options here, so go ahead and go over here and start framing some stuff up and getting some ideas. I've got two camera bodies with me and a couple lenses. I just have a 7200 F4 on this one. Nice and lightweight. I'm not sure what lens I'm gonna wanna shoot with so this just gives me a great idea. And then this one I gotta standard 17 to 40 F another lightweight wide angle lens. So I'm gonna start here and kinda get an idea of this space with a longer lens. So, let's start here at 200 millimeters. From here, it's pretty cool. I can get a lot of good negative space at 200. I can zoom out somewhere around 85 millimeter looks really good, can get a really good simple picture. I'm gonna switch over here and go vertical with it. And for this way I can get some good views, lots of different layers with the trees there in the foreground, the bushes, shrubs and then the stairs. One thing I'm seeing from here in the frame is this little sign down here in the right. I can probably move over one direction if I keep coming and get that sign kinda out and hidden, which I might do and honestly, if that's the only thing in there, that's a super easy fix in Photoshop to clone that out. So, I'm not gonna concern myself with that very much. So I'm gonna go ahead and start walking that way a little bit. So I like the way that the lines of this path come in, it gives a good feel. It's actually gonna be pretty good for a higher angle. Stand up here, let that path lead into the photo. So on this one, I'm at 28 millimeters. So I'm gonna go ahead and still walk up a little closer here. The wide angle lens is really good for some of this stock stuff because it gets you right up and close to the model and it gives the viewer the image, kind of a sense of being there. Almost like they're running with this trail runner. Where the longer lens stuff, you're off back. It's more like you're hiding out and taking a sport photograph where you can to be on the sidelines and it doesn't give you quite that same intimate feel. Alright, so what I'm seeing with this trail here at this wide angle, I'm actually kinda liking all the different angles from 17 or 20 millimeters. In a little tighter so I think I might actually just go ahead and keep this lens to shoot this with. I think on the other camera, I'll go to a more wide angle lens, and then I think I might to go the 135 or the 85, I'll probably bring both of those lenses with me to use. This will be the location for the first shoot. When I'm scouting the location, I usually don't talk that much. (laughing) So, that's kinda my process. I usually do like to scout, I like to go to a place beforehand. Sometimes I'll go a day before for any shoot that I do. Stock or pretty much anything else I'm kind of a person who wants to know and have as much preparation as I can before I really get in there. So, do you guys scout stuff out before you do it? Often, yeah. It's important, it's good. I think in that location, it lended itself I felt more to the wide angle's stuff there. The long stuff was okay, but I felt like a had a better chance with the wide angle coming down those stairs.

Class Materials

Bonus Materials with Purchase

2017 Gallery Stock Trend Report
Sample Model Release
Sample Property Release
Stock Agencies List

Ratings and Reviews

Amy Vaughn
 

Personally, I really liked this class, but I can see why it wouldn’t be for everyone looking for information about stock photography. I’ve already researched and started doing microstock, but now I’m looking for more information about other options. This class was a good fit for me. Although Geo seemed new to public speaking and used too many fillers like “uh” and “um”, I found him likable and surprisingly relatable considering our different photographic niches. This class may be best suited for: Learning more about boutique galleries, rights managed stock and alternatives to microstock Seeing how this particular stock photographer works, gets inspiration and has been successful Getting ideas about current trends and sources for inspiration Getting the perspective of a creative director for a boutique agency Those interested in lifestyle photography May not be as suitable for: Broader and more in depth information about the variety of options in stock photography Those who want to focus on microstock New photographers who want detailed information about getting started and meeting technical requirements Those who prefer a more polished speaker

Carol Totaro
 

I thought this was a great class and have to disagree with some of the comments from the hands down viewers. The audience was listless and did not seem to be interested in being there. Do you know how difficult it is to stand up in front of a bunch like this and keep your mojo racing? Very difficult. Hardly anyone asked questions and they all just gave a lot of nods most of the time. If your read ahead of time the info on the class, you would see that he was going to go into Lightroom and workflow. Yes, some of it was a drag especially all those pictures taken from the condo at a FL panhandle beach. But nothing's perfect. Maybe I got a lot out of this because I am newer at photography. I was glad to know about his equipment. Everyone's personality is different and for all the talent and success Geo has enjoyed, he remains a humble and very likeable guy.

Christina Biasi
 

I loved this class! I cannot agree with some other reviews below at all Geo gives so much valuable information, and in fact I love his style much more than many other over-self confident speakers. He is sympathetic and likeable, and most importantly give very much valuable insights into stock photography. I just started with stock and got all my questions answered. I watched it already three times. The only part which I did not like so much was the post-processing part, because he could have explained better his workflow and why he chose certain actions. But that does not impact on the overall quality of the course. I can only highly recommend this class

Student Work

RELATED ARTICLES

RELATED ARTICLES