Comments on: Photographing the Stars – An Interview with Photographer Martin Philbey http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey Discover how to use your digital camera with our Digital Photography Tips. We are a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in our understanding of photography. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:58:44 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Neilwood http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-14614 Neilwood Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:46:04 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-14614 Some very sound advice from a very experienced pro. My take on the "shoot lots" is that by doing so you may just get that perfect shot where the light, background and the person are all at their best - sometimes it might only last for a split second so unless you shoot lots you might miss it. Also by shooting lots (with exif data) you can review the settings that worked as well - giving you a better understanding of them. As for working cheap or free - i think it depends on experience. He has a track record of good work so will be able to set his rates higher than someone who doesnt have the same portfolio. Now i think its time for me to get shooting - who knows, by the time im 50 (im 34 now) i might be able to sell something!! Some very sound advice from a very experienced pro.

My take on the “shoot lots” is that by doing so you may just get that perfect shot where the light, background and the person are all at their best – sometimes it might only last for a split second so unless you shoot lots you might miss it.

Also by shooting lots (with exif data) you can review the settings that worked as well – giving you a better understanding of them.

As for working cheap or free – i think it depends on experience. He has a track record of good work so will be able to set his rates higher than someone who doesnt have the same portfolio.

Now i think its time for me to get shooting – who knows, by the time im 50 (im 34 now) i might be able to sell something!!

]]> By: sagar http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-14047 sagar Wed, 25 Jul 2007 06:43:25 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-14047 don't you think his images are looking flat enough.......although i liked his suggestions especially about that we should use manual settings so that we can learn more about exposures - what aperture & shutter to use at what light and conditions..thanx for that...nxt time I'll remember this thing to do my work on manual settings and the best thing i like about his interview is his advice "Don't work for free or for cheap." because we should know our value and respect it. don’t you think his images are looking flat enough…….although i liked his suggestions especially about that we should use manual settings so that we can learn more about exposures – what aperture & shutter to use at what light and conditions..thanx for that…nxt time I’ll remember this thing to do my work on manual settings

and the best thing i like about his interview is his advice
“Don’t work for free or for cheap.” because we should know our value and respect it.

]]> By: DB http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-11973 DB Wed, 06 Jun 2007 03:21:06 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-11973 "Don’t work for free or for cheap." I second that! I've been doing music photography for a couple of years as well, and this is the one thing I hate coming across. There are still record labels and reps out there that will definitely try to take advantage when it comes to pricing. Just because basic equipment pricing is dropping does not mean experience pricing should as well... Some good advice from Martin! “Don’t work for free or for cheap.”

I second that! I’ve been doing music photography for a couple of years as well, and this is the one thing I hate coming across. There are still record labels and reps out there that will definitely try to take advantage when it comes to pricing. Just because basic equipment pricing is dropping does not mean experience pricing should as well… Some good advice from Martin!

]]> By: Rob http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-10706 Rob Fri, 18 May 2007 06:43:59 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-10706 When you are under the clock and you only have 15 minutes with the executive or musician or whomever you need to shoot as much as you can while interacting with your subject. What you do and say sets the tone of the shoot often. Digital makes it easier to shoot a lot of shots. Before Digital it was like 3-4 rolls of 120 in fifteen minutes. The human face can change very quickly and often in that time. Watch your background. The Background often comes first since that sets the contrast of subject and makes or breaks your main subject. Last do not work for free or cheap. Excellent advice. If you are not sure what your photography is worth, join a group of professionals like ASMP or APA or similiar and learn about the business. When you are under the clock and you only have 15 minutes with the executive or musician or whomever you need to shoot as much as you can while interacting with your subject. What you do and say sets the tone of the shoot often. Digital makes it easier to shoot a lot of shots. Before Digital it was like 3-4 rolls of 120 in fifteen minutes. The human face can change very quickly and often in that time.

Watch your background. The Background often comes first since that sets the contrast of subject and makes or breaks your main subject.

Last do not work for free or cheap. Excellent advice. If you are not sure what your photography is worth, join a group of professionals like ASMP or APA or similiar and learn about the business.

]]> By: Scott Hampton http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-10124 Scott Hampton Fri, 11 May 2007 15:44:58 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-10124 Hey all. I like the article, and yes, it was short. As far as "shoot lots" I wasn't thinking burst. i ws thinking "shoot as much as you can". In other words, variety and experience. Shoot soda cans, dish rags, cucumbers, boots, soap, people, and as often as possible. I started shooting a lot more, then scaled back. I sed to shoot hundreds of exposures, but now I'm choosing shots and shooting enough to nail it. I may do a seated with legs crossed pose. I'll tripod it or handhold the camera, and fire off about 20 or so. Sure, I'll only use one, but I'm getting suble nuances to choose from! And yeah, the gear. Shoots with Bowens?! I thought all of the pros used Profoto and Speedotron. I was looking at a Calumet kit (Bowens makes it) and thought "naah, pros don't use these". Guess I was wrong! Scott Hey all.
I like the article, and yes, it was short.

As far as “shoot lots” I wasn’t thinking burst. i ws thinking “shoot as much as you can”. In other words, variety and experience. Shoot soda cans, dish rags, cucumbers, boots, soap, people, and as often as possible.

I started shooting a lot more, then scaled back. I sed to shoot hundreds of exposures, but now I’m choosing shots and shooting enough to nail it. I may do a seated with legs crossed pose. I’ll tripod it or handhold the camera, and fire off about 20 or so. Sure, I’ll only use one, but I’m getting suble nuances to choose from!

And yeah, the gear. Shoots with Bowens?! I thought all of the pros used Profoto and Speedotron. I was looking at a Calumet kit (Bowens makes it) and thought “naah, pros don’t use these”. Guess I was wrong!

Scott

]]> By: eydryan http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-10108 eydryan Fri, 11 May 2007 05:42:17 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-10108 the point is to really try to use any subject to the maximum. photograph it once to get the feel then again to squeeze creativity out of you. the point is to really try to use any subject to the maximum. photograph it once to get the feel then again to squeeze creativity out of you.

]]> By: Kalani Aylett http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-10093 Kalani Aylett Thu, 10 May 2007 19:34:45 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-10093 Good interview. I total agree with taking gazillions of shots and throwing away gazillions minus a few. Keep only the best. Good interview. I total agree with taking gazillions of shots and throwing away gazillions minus a few. Keep only the best.

]]> By: Chris Osborne http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-10078 Chris Osborne Thu, 10 May 2007 12:41:47 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-10078 I do both. Actually, both at the same time because I hardly take my Point & Shoot off of burst. I do both. Actually, both at the same time because I hardly take my Point & Shoot off of burst.

]]> By: macdane http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-10040 macdane Wed, 09 May 2007 15:00:25 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-10040 Chris: I know what you're saying, but I think there's a good reason everyone gives this answer. Also, I don't necessarily think burst mode is the only answer. It's definitely a factor in getting the right shot, but I think the key lies in what's meant by "Shoot lots." That is, do you read it as, "Shoot lots of the same thing" (which with burst mode would help) or "Shoot lots of different things." See what I mean? Chris: I know what you’re saying, but I think there’s a good reason everyone gives this answer. Also, I don’t necessarily think burst mode is the only answer. It’s definitely a factor in getting the right shot, but I think the key lies in what’s meant by “Shoot lots.”

That is, do you read it as, “Shoot lots of the same thing” (which with burst mode would help) or “Shoot lots of different things.”

See what I mean?

]]> By: eydryan http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/comment-page-1#comment-10037 eydryan Wed, 09 May 2007 14:34:14 +0000 http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-the-stars-an-interview-with-photographer-martin-philbey/#comment-10037 guys, relax… i think that you both understood wrong, like i did with the last interview with the guy from decoys. he’s saying take many photos but worry only about the good ones. or something like that. with the risk of repeating myself, point is if you learn your timing i say there’s no need to shoot that much. you shoot 1 more than you need in case the first has a problem but otherwise i see no reason. it’s better to take your time, look at what you’re photographing, look at the surroundings, take a second to really discover your ideas and define them and then try transforming them into a photo. nice interview but a bit short. also i think i’m a bit well not against but well i don’t really agree with the shoot in manual thing. sure, it’s a really good tip for beginners but it’s not really necessary once you know what exposure is. if you know how to meter, where, how to compensate in EVs and where to spot meter i say manual isn’t that necessary. why? because many people shoot manual by adjusting the settings until they reach what the camera meters. so what’s the point… it’s a matter of style i guess. i shoot P most of the time but that doesn’t mean i can’t judge a scene. ask me anytime and anywhere what the exposure should be and i’ll tell you pretty spot on. so basically my opinion is, learn how exposure works, learn your camera and if you really want to shoot M to learn how to expose. but i prefer to let the camera do some work in the cases where exposure is simple and couldn’t cause it problems. better to take an underexposed shot than one that’s completely dark. or who knows maybe for some it;s better this way so they understand how to shoot. anyway, here’s an image i totally underexposed (it was 90% black) but i shot RAW and edited afterwards. you can see how many details there are from an image that seemed pitch black. so i say try to give meaning to your photos and forget about the settings all the time (but do pass through a stage so that exposure becomes second nature). i know this example sucks, it was taken in previous times, but it’s here just to show recovery potential (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37362487/?qo=28&q=by%3Aeydryan&qh=sort%3Atime+-in%3Ascraps) ok, that;s my opinion. guys, relax… i think that you both understood wrong, like i did with the last interview with the guy from decoys. he’s saying take many photos but worry only about the good ones. or something like that. with the risk of repeating myself, point is if you learn your timing i say there’s no need to shoot that much. you shoot 1 more than you need in case the first has a problem but otherwise i see no reason. it’s better to take your time, look at what you’re photographing, look at the surroundings, take a second to really discover your ideas and define them and then try transforming them into a photo.

nice interview but a bit short. also i think i’m a bit well not against but well i don’t really agree with the shoot in manual thing. sure, it’s a really good tip for beginners but it’s not really necessary once you know what exposure is. if you know how to meter, where, how to compensate in EVs and where to spot meter i say manual isn’t that necessary. why? because many people shoot manual by adjusting the settings until they reach what the camera meters. so what’s the point… it’s a matter of style i guess. i shoot P most of the time but that doesn’t mean i can’t judge a scene. ask me anytime and anywhere what the exposure should be and i’ll tell you pretty spot on. so basically my opinion is, learn how exposure works, learn your camera and if you really want to shoot M to learn how to expose. but i prefer to let the camera do some work in the cases where exposure is simple and couldn’t cause it problems. better to take an underexposed shot than one that’s completely dark. or who knows maybe for some it;s better this way so they understand how to shoot. anyway, here’s an image i totally underexposed (it was 90% black) but i shot RAW and edited afterwards. you can see how many details there are from an image that seemed pitch black. so i say try to give meaning to your photos and forget about the settings all the time (but do pass through a stage so that exposure becomes second nature). i know this example sucks, it was taken in previous times, but it’s here just to show recovery potential (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37362487/?qo=28&q=by%3Aeydryan&qh=sort%3Atime+-in%3Ascraps)

ok, that;s my opinion.

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