Tall Ships Photographs

[kellydrever1]

Hi Everyone.

I have just been asked to take the photos of the sail trainees getting their induction to sail on the tall ships here in Orkney

Just wondered if Anyone has any goods ideas or tips for me.

Very much new to working for other people and a wee bit nervous.

Thanks

Kelly.

[dlambert]

I don't have any direct experience to share, but based on experiences trying to photograph people & tall objects, I think you'll want to give thought to your lenses, since you could run into shots where you're trying to get lots of the background in the frame.

I'd expect some interesting challenges for shooting angles and composition, too. You're not going to be able to get the whole ship (or even a large portion of it) in a normal portrait composition unless you stage people on a dock or something with the ship behind, but there may be some really interesting places to stage people that preserve the "ship" setting w/o needing to get the whole ship in-frame. I'm sort of picturing groups of sailors on the rigging, etc.

Are these static / posed shots, or are you shooting while they're actually doing stuff?

Don't look through the view finder directly at the sun. ( ! )

[mosgood]

Will you just be shooting at a dock or will you be shooting under sail?

I've done some tall ship photography in past years. You might want a zoom lens (at least a 24 -200) to cut down on bulk. there's usually not much maneuvering room for a photographer aboard a ship, & there's a lot of things you could trip over, or run into if you're trying to get action shots of the sailors, especially if you're carrying a camera bag over your shoulder or a backpack. It's also possible to impede a sailor as well which is a safety issue all around. A vest with space for cards, batteries, etc, would allow you to have other lenses close at hand without a bag banging into you or someone else if the ship is in motion. If you're stationary at dock, I'd still recommend carrying as little extra gear as possible since there's so little space. Although I wouldn't bother with a tripod aboard the ship, it would be quite useful for a group shot in the marina.

I really like the idea of of lining up the crew along the dock, with the ship behind them. Good luck!

[LeeR]

What a fabulous opportunity! What a tremendous set of challenges! I am frankly jealous as I would love such an opportunity, but I don't envy you the problems that you will be facing. Unless you are ridiculously lucky, you are likely to be shooting in some rather harsh lighting. I mean it's pretty hard to hide from the direct sun when you are at sea. I'd be looking for open shade wherever I could find it and shoot there as much as possible. For the times you have to shoot in direct sun use fill flash as much as possible. If you bring a big reflector there is a good chance you can find a young man or two who will help you hold it. Aside from that, have fun, this is a great chance to get some terrific shots.

[kellydrever1]

Thanks for all the replys. Gtting more and more nervous about this as have been told today that it will be in the evening, so lighting is going to be a bit of an issue too thankfully i am as far north as nearly possible so we have a lot more light in the evenings. I will be onboard the ship but i dont think we will be actually sailing as this is the sail trainees getting their induction before their race.

As i have never done any work for anyone else before and really only take photos for my self i have very little kit. I have a Nikon D80 and 2 lenses which are Sigma DC 18 - 50mm and a Tamron 55 - 200mm not sure which would be best as i favour the Tamron for depth of field but maybe the Sigma would be better? Aurggh!!!! I dont know im way too new to photograhy to be doing this!! I got asked as one of the guys at my work has ssen some of my photos i have taken and thought they were good, but they are of things I have had practice at.

[Donal]

Hi Kelly,

I'd love to see the results of your work with the tall ships as they will be docking close to me for a festival weekend during the summer and I'll have good access to them (quay side) during their stay. I'll be looking for ideas to get some direction on how to maximise my chances.

[kellydrever1]

Hi Donal

I will post some up here when I get back its on the 11 april. Hopefully there will be some good ones!!!

Cant wait for the tall ships to come here in the summer.

[ilookalot]

Hi Kelly looks like a excellent opportunity to get some great shots. I would take both lenses and beg , borrow or steal a good flash .One shot i always like is from up the top of the mast looking down onto the deck of the ship ,maybe get someone (experienced at climbing the rigging) to take your camera up top to get some shots .
Lots of great things around to use as props / back ground for portraits , if you can get access to inside the ship i imagine there would be lots of stuff you could use as well eg: compass, charts,telescopes,portholes,does it have cannons ?
I hope you have a great day and get some fantastic shots.
kym

[mosgood]

The rigging can make some nice shots too (ropes/pins/wheel-if there is one, etc). Some of my favorate shots are of tall ship rigging, & the masts. Maybe some of the crew can pose at the ropes or up along the mast, or unfurl enough of the sails to make some nice action shots? If it's ok with the captain. You could always google tall ship images for ideas.

Have fun!