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I have bee asked to do some photos for a prom night, you get the picture all the girls in nice dresses and the guys in tuxedos, i have 3x 336 heads a couple of backdrops, how should i go about this??? the people who are organising this want it done like a conveyer belt, one picture being taken and the next person waiting, not sure on the lighting set up i have got brollies etc. any help would be apreciated why dont i just say NO at the time of asking, to late now commited myself
thanks in advance guys n girls
chris
Would have been better with two softboxes, but you can easily make a makeshift one for the night. Best way would be to have two lights at 45 degrees to the subjects, one about two feet higher than the other. Don't be afraid to have them pretty close to the subject. Use your third light at about one third to half power of your main lights to add a splash to the background.
The thing to be aware of is someone turning up in white, and the next one appearing in black...best to do about three shots first and make note of your settings, then switch between them on the night. Mark the base of your backdrop where you want them to stand, you'd be surprised how many will stand off to one side and you'll be forever asking them to move.
Chris
If you can see a difference or notice a "join" then you might want to consider shotting 3/4 length or headshots to only have a backdrop visible.
I have seen some appalling prom photos (Joe Fox will have seen them also) and you don't want to go there...the same applies for larger groups - watch the edges of the backdrop.
HTH
Mike.
i would prefer to do 3/4 shots or head shots, and i think this is the way ill approach it, probably go along the lines of ther will be more of the person in the image on 3/4 rather than on full length, all depend if the girls want to show there pretty dresses off
thanks again
chris
Agree with everything specially the black and white bit - I know the shots Mike is talking about - bloody woeful!
With the volume of traffic make sure you have a clearly defined way in and way out, tape any hanging wires down, any on the floor tape down with hazard tape (yellow and black stripes here in the UK).
Similarly make sure light stands are protected and that any train you attach wont bring the whole lot down if tripped over. I havent mentioned insurance yet have I? 
Most venues over here have a photographic centrepiece anyway (usually a fireplace etc) and you can shoot against that instead of a backdrop which helps from the health and safety point of view.
Personally speaking I like to shoot 1/2 or max 3/4 length shots anyway unless they specifically ask for full length - to me full length is a waste of space but its a personal thing.
If shooting digitally and proofing then proof well away from where you are shooting. Shooting that amount of people takes a lot of time if you want to do it right and the last thing you need is a backlog of people looking and umming and ahhing over their and their mates photos.
Oh yeah, hire an assistant!
Joe,
Quote: Most venues over here have a photographic centrepiece anyway (usually a fireplace etc) and you can shoot against that instead of a backdrop which helps from the health and safety point of view.
That's OK but many places "over here" have a mirror above the fireplace....3/4 length of them, and a headshot + camera of the 'tog 
Mike.
got the assistant got the tape got the cameras, got the lights, got the job but have i got the bottle and the know how, we will soon see.
I dont want people looking at the images that would be a nightmare imagine the queing and the humming and ahhing, im doing this a table at a time, 30 tables @10 people, once set up im hoping to have each image taken within 1 & 1/2 minutes, i will upload the pics to my lappy after each table has been done.
wish i never said yes but the mention of 300 nurses, i couldnt say no (lol)
thanks guys
chris
Mike,
Quote: That's OK but many places "over here" have a mirror above the fireplace....3/4 length of them, and a headshot + camera of the 'tog
Yes I can see why that would be a disadvantage in your case
(yeah yeah pot kettle I know)
Chris,
Quote: wish i never said yes but the mention of 300 nurses, i couldnt say no (lol)
Do you need a hand?
Quote: I dont want people looking at the images that would be a nightmare
Gotta wonder how they are going to buy them then !
If they are eating then you are not really going to be able to shoot after the starter and before the coffee is served.
By the time they get to coffee I suspect that most of them will be worse for wear and you'll risk a real accident with your kit and/or lousy shots.
Realistically you need to process as many as possible on arrival and sweep up anyone that you missed before the starters.
I take it you are printing with dye-sub(s) ?
Mike
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