The Photographer's Assistant

by Kieffer, John

• ISBN13: 9780960711895
• ISBN10: 0960711899
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1992-04-01
• Publisher: Allworth Pr

Summary

This manual covers such crucial topics as formulating a business strategy to guarantee success; in-depth instruction on the most important skills of an assistant; techniques for studio and location shooting; and secrets of the top fashion, architectural, and still photographers. Seven top photographers are interviewed on what they look for in an assistant.

Table of Contents

The Assistant and the Photographic Community	7	(12)
The Photographic Assistant
The Assistant's Responsibilities
Benefits from Assisting
The Professional Photographic Community
Commercial Photography
Editorial Photography and Photojournalism
Wedding and Portrait Photography
Freelancing and Full Time Assisting
An Interview	14	(5)
Nancy Brown
Capitalizing on Your Assisting Skills	19	(14)
Assisting Skills
Expanding Your Repertoire
Utilizing Your Nonphotographic Skills
Assistant's Skill List
Promotional Material
The Resume
The Cover Letter
Business Cards
Alternate Approaches
The Portfolio
Finding the Right Photographers	33	(10)
Defining Your Market
Creative Directories
Additional Resources
Alternate Approaches
Contacting Prospective Clients
The Call Report
Your First Phone Call
The Interview
Business Matters	43	(12)
Establishing Your Rates
The Market Rate
Full-Day Rates
Half-Day Rates
Overnight Travel
Alternative Rates
Bookkeeping
Invoicing the Client
Minor Business Purchases
Ethical Considerations
Tentative Bookings
Cancellations
Difficult Questions
An Interview	49	(6)
David MacTavish
Your First Day on the Job	55	(8)
Preliminary Information
Beginning Your Day
Prioritize
Working on the Set
Pay Attention and Anticipate
Working with Equipment
Working with Film
Keeping Organized
Finishing Up
The Day's Agenda
List of Essentials
The 35mm Single Lens Reflex Camera	63	(6)
Characteristics of the 35mm SLR
The Assistant's Responsibilities
Prerequisites to Loading
Loading the 35mm SLR Camera
The Exposure Process
Unloading the Camera
Lenses and Filters
Lens Shades
The Medium Format Camera	69	(12)
Key Characteristics
Medium Format Film
The Film Magazine
Cleaning the Film Magazine
Prerequisites to Loading
Loading the Film Magazine
First Things First
Positioning the Film
Advancing the Film
The Exposure Process
Unloading the Film Magazine
Film Processing
Alternative Film Processing
The Roll Film Holder
Lenses, Filters, and the Compendium
Using a Tripod
An Interview	77	(4)
Michal Heron
The View Camera	81	(16)
Key Characteristics
Plane of Focus and Perspective
The Camera Movements
The View Camera
Camera Stands and Tripods
The Large Format Lens
Preparing the Lens
Compendium Lens Shade
Filters
Focusing Aids
Sheet Film
Preparing the Sheet Film Holder
Preliminary Tasks
Labelling the Holder
Identification Cards
The Dark Slide
Cleaning the Film Holder
Removing Dust
Take Your Time
Loading the Film Holder
Before the Lights Go Out
Lights Out!
Inserting the Film
Lights On!
The Exposure Process
Why You Identify Film
Unloading the Film Holder
Lights Out, Again!
Ensuring Proper Processing
The Different Film Types
Other Materials
The Changing Bag
Summary of Responsibilities Related to Camera and Film
Polaroid Instant Film	97	(16)
Why Use Polaroid Instant Film?
Checking Exposure
Checking Focus
The Best View in the Studio
General Characteristics
Processing Polaroid Material
The Assistant's Responsibilities
Annotating the Polaroid Print
The Small and Medium Format Instant Film Back
Loading the Instant Film Back
Developing the Polaroid Print
Polaroid for the View Camera
Why Use Polaroid Instant Film?
The 4x5 Inch Polaroid System
The Model 550 Film Holder
The 8x10 Inch Polaroid System
Summary of Responsibilities
An Interview	108	(5)
Steve Umland
Artificial Lighting	113	(16)
Compare and Contrast
The Electronic Flash System
The Power Supply
Operating the Power Supply
Synchronizing the Power Supply to the Camera
The Flash Head
Multiple Flashes
Minor Points
Monolights
Summary of Responsibilities
On-Camera Electronic Flash Units
The Different Kinds of Flash Units
Operating a Flash Unit
Determining the Exposure
Batteries and Battery Packs
Light Modifying Devices
Summary of Responsibilities
Tungsten Lighting
The Tungsten Lamp
Operating a Tungsten Light
Controlling Tungsten Light
Applications
Working with Light	129	(14)
Qualities of Light
Light Modifying Devices
Reflectors
Umbrellas
Diffusion Material/Colored Filters
The Soft Box
Fill Cards
Light Absorbing Devices
Summary of Responsibilities
Light Meters
The Flash Meter
The Assistant's Responsibilities
Summary of Responsibilities
An Interview	139	(4)
Todd Droy
Photographic Hardware	143	(6)
Stands
Selecting the Proper Stand
The Proper Use of Stands
Booms
Working with Booms
Extension Arms
Safety Precautions
Clamps
Using Clamps
Adhesives
Miscellaneous Hardware
Summary of Responsibilities
Surface Preparation	149	(8)
Primary Considerations
Cleaning
Preliminary Stages
Liquid Cleaners
Commonly Encountered Surfaces
Plastic Laminates
Seamless Background Paper
Metallic Surfaces
Rubber and Vinyl Surfaces
Fabric and Carpet
The Other Extreme
Monitoring the Exposure Process
Painting
General Guidelines
Kinds of Paint
Miscellaneous Aerosol Sprays
Summary of Responsibilities
Background Materials	157	(8)
General Guidelines
Understanding Your Objective
Preparation
Plastic Laminates
Handling Plastic Laminates
Storing Plastic Laminates
Seamless Paper
Hanging Seamless Paper
Plexiglass
Handling Plexiglass
Summary of Responsibilities
An Interview	162	(3)
Carl Fischer
Studio Departments	165	(8)
Learning the Studio
The Shooting Area
The Set Cart
Preparing and Positioning Objects
The Workshop
The Kitchen
The Assistant and the Kitchen
The Lounge Area
The Make-up Room
The Darkroom
The Freelance and Full Time Assistant
Acquiring Darkroom Skills
Equipment and Background Storage
Photographic Specialties	173	(12)
Product Photography
Working on the Set
Communicating with the Photographer
People Photography
General Considerations
Non-professional Models
Exposing Film
Wedding Photography
Location Photography
Background Information
Audio-Visual Assignments
Overnight Assignments
Acquiring Location Work
Architectural Work
A Giant Still Life
Summary of Responsibilities
Location Equipment Check List
How to Learn While Assisting	185	(8)
Be a Good Assistant
Keep Shooting
Making the Most of What's Available
An Interview	187	(6)
Shel Secunda
Glossary	193	(4)
Appendix A: Professional Associations	197	(1)
Appendix B: Creative Directories	198	(2)
Appendix C: Photographic Literature and Catalogs	200	(4)
Appendix D: Periodicals	204	(1)
Index	205