What’s Your Preference?

NicoleScraps · #1 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 04:04 PM

Just wondering how many photos you typically take for a photoshoot and how many end up being kept and/or shown as a proof?

I did a huge 4 hour photoshoot (senior) last weekend. Just finished up editing and sent her a link to her proof gallery.
I took a total of 325 photos and delivered 111 proofs.
When I set her up in a new pose, I pulled back to full body, fired off 2 or 3 shots, came in to 3/4, fired off 2 or 3 shots, came in to headshot, fired off 2 or 3 shots, so many of these are duplicate. But I did this to account for blinks and facial expression.
Of those 325, only about 10 were unusable because of exposure problems and those were my test shots when we started in a new lighting situation.
About 15-20 were usuable because the pose was unflattering or just didn't look good for one reason or another, but given what I said above, this was only about 2 or 3 poses.
All in all, I feel like I was really efficient with the photoshoot and pretty much on target. I could have cut it down to more like 1 or 2 shots per pose, but I wanted to be sure that I got it and I didn't want to have to stop all the time and review on the back of the camera.
Now, when I do a whole family or anything involving children, I end up with a lot LESS usuable photos because in photos with multiple people it is hard to make sure that they all look good...and kids...well, that is another story.
So tell me about your averages. I just want to see if I am on target, shooting too much, not enough, etc.

MrJones · #2 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 04:40 PM

I'm ending up with the same ratio as you are, about one out of three or four is proof but this is mostly because of duplicates I take cause of blinking, stray hairs, shadows and all sort of annoying stuff

on the other hand, it's all digital these days so I rather take duplicates and make sure I have the photo I wanted.

Jim Bryant · #3 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 04:48 PM

You have to think first before pressing the shutter and as yourself, "How can I improve this photo!" you end up with a lot less images to edit and post process.

kelleyrie · #4 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 05:31 PM

I think I usually average about 130 shots when I do photos for someone else and give them about 40 or so. That's about 1 in 3 or 4 too I suppose

Indigo November · #5 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

You have to think first before pressing the shutter and as yourself, "How can I improve this photo!" you end up with a lot less images to edit and post process.

+1

I need to learn to do this more too.

Sorry I can't give much more of a response on this, I haven't done many portrait sessions and such yet.
Hope you get more replies, but with that hoot going on in the next thread, I'm afraid yours isn't getting the attention it should!

Kristopher Gerner · #6 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 05:38 PM

I usually deliver 1/3 of the images I shoot. I could probably deliver 2/3's but then there would be to many duplicate images. I think what your doing is fine, so call it spray & pray, other call it spray & make sure you got the shot.

Myrtle Beach Photographers

BuddhaPi · #7 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indigo November

+1

I need to learn to do this more too.

Sorry I can't give much more of a response on this, I haven't done many portrait sessions and such yet.
Hope you get more replies, but with that hoot going on in the next thread, I'm afraid yours isn't getting the attention it should!

what thread?? am i missing something??... I'm sure some qualified folks will respond to this, perssonally as I'm not a photogrpaher, I am not qualified to answer or offer any insight..my images generally suck a$$ and i'm lucky to get 3 out of 100...which is an improvement i might add!

It is amazing how much Nicole has improved in 1 year!