Inside a Photo Assignment for Hire - TDS Photography Podcast

03/08/22 • 36 min

This is The Digital Story Podcast #833, March 8, 2022. Today's theme is "Inside a Photo Assignment for Hire." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

On Saturday morning I climbed in to the ID.4 and plugged the address for the Fire Department Training Center into CarPlay. Fifteen minutes later I was redirected to an overflow parking lot that required a hike back to the event. Undeterred, I grabbed by camera bag, a cap, and shades an headed to the day's assignment. What happened before this moment, and what transpired afterward is the topic of today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 833

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Inside a Photo Assignment for Hire

I know that some of you are curious about the photo assignments that I work for clients. It's an important part of my job because they keep me in touch with the demands of real world photography.

So I thought it would be fun to take you through the timeline of an assignment that I just completed.

Before I do that, however, I want to tell you a little bit about this event because I think it's very cool and important.

Women's Public Safety Day will provide young women ages 15 to 20 with a hands-on public safety learning experience. This immersive day will be led by local women from EMS, police, and fire departments sharing what it's like to be a woman in public safety, both on and off duty.

OK, now on to the timeline.

Friday, Feb. 11 - I received an email from the SRJC Communications and Marketing Coordinator stating, "Are you available to cover the Women's Public Safety Day on March 5th? I respond, "Yes, indeed!".

Friday, March 4 - I receive a follow up email with the scheduled events, onsite contact, and suggested shot list. I prepare my camera kit, charge batteries, and made sure everything was ready for the next morning.

Saturday March 5 - I depart for the event with an estimated arrival 15 minutes before my scheduled start. Good think, because the overflow parking set be back 15 minutes.

Now, in the podcast I describe the sequence of events that happened for the next 3 hours.

Sunday, March 6 - I began culling pictures during my first cup of coffee. At this point in the morning, only me and Sylvester the cat are awake. I captured 325 photographs. I whittled down the shoot to 100 images that I thought told the story well.

Monday, March 7 - I individually adjust each of the 100 shots, output them to full size resolution Jpegs, and upload them to the shared Dropbox with the client. I received word a few hours later that everything looked great, and a...

This is The Digital Story Podcast #833, March 8, 2022. Today's theme is "Inside a Photo Assignment for Hire." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Digital Photography Podcast 833

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher

Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In

Inside a Photo Assignment for Hire

I know that some of you are curious about the photo assignments that I work for clients. It's an important part of my job because they keep me in touch with the demands of real world photography.

So I thought it would be fun to take you through the timeline of an assignment that I just completed.

Before I do that, however, I want to tell you a little bit about this event because I think it's very cool and important.

OK, now on to the timeline.

Friday, Feb. 11 - I received an email from the SRJC Communications and Marketing Coordinator stating, "Are you available to cover the Women's Public Safety Day on March 5th? I respond, "Yes, indeed!".

Friday, March 4 - I receive a follow up email with the scheduled events, onsite contact, and suggested shot list. I prepare my camera kit, charge batteries, and made sure everything was ready for the next morning.

Saturday March 5 - I depart for the event with an estimated arrival 15 minutes before my scheduled start. Good think, because the overflow parking set be back 15 minutes.

Now, in the podcast I describe the sequence of events that happened for the next 3 hours.

Sunday, March 6 - I began culling pictures during my first cup of coffee. At this point in the morning, only me and Sylvester the cat are awake. I captured 325 photographs. I whittled down the shoot to 100 images that I thought told the story well.

Monday, March 7 - I individually adjust each of the 100 shots, output them to full size resolution Jpegs, and upload them to the shared Dropbox with the client. I received word a few hours later that everything looked great, and a...

Previous Episode

My Favorite Tiny Lenses - TDS Photography Podcast

This is The Digital Story Podcast #832, March 1, 2022. Today's theme is "My Favorite Tiny Lenses." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

A compact sensor doesn't make much sense unless you have a few great pancake lenses to go with it. After all, that's where the nimbleosity comes in, with the glass! Today I'm going to share 5 of my favorite tiny lenses. These are the optics that lighten my load without compromising quality. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 832

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My Favorite Tiny Lenses

Even though I ordered the new OM System Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II Lens ($999) to go with the new OM-1, it will be used primarily for my professional work, inclement weather, and landscape. When I'm just banging around, I'll have the incredible Olympus Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Lens ($299) on the camera most of the time.

You might think to yourself, "Why would you buy a flagship pro camera body and put a $299 optic on it?" Answer: because it's that good. And I'm not the only one that thinks that.

Digital Camera World just published an article titled, Olympus M.Zuiko 14‑42mm f/3.5‑5.6 EZ review - The best pancake zoom lens ever!. In their verdict they give it 5 Stars and say:

"The Olympus M.Zuiko 14‑42mm f/3.5‑5.6 EZ is, in our opinion, the best pancake lens ever. In full frame terms it covers a 28-82mm focal range in an impossibly small form factor - not only is this a genuine feat of engineering, but its optical performance punches way above its weight. This is the kind of lens that's only possible on Micro Four Thirds, making it an absolute travel and everyday essential for Olympus / OM System and Panasonic shooters."

I couldn't have said it better. And when I put that zoom on my PEN-F, OM-D E-M10, or even the new OM-1, I have a sophisticated camera with a wonderful 28-84mm zooming range that fits in my jacket pocket. Isn't that why we shoot Micro Four Thirds?

But Wait, There's More!

Here are four more favorite tiny lenses that I adore.

Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH. Lens ($267) - Characterized by its slender profile, the Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH. is a compact, slightly wide 40mm equivalent prime for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera...

Next Episode

Putting Together Your Back Pocket List - TDS Photography Podcast

This is The Digital Story Podcast #834, March 15, 2022. Today's theme is "Putting Together Your Back Pocket List." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Sometimes when you make things too big, they don't happen. Take for example our photography bucket list that includes exotic destinations such as Africa and India. Great stuff, but we don't want to sit idle while we wait for them to happen. So in the meantime, you can build your back pocket list. What is that you ask? Keep listening to today's TDS Photography Podcast to learn more. I hope you enjoy the show.

Digital Photography Podcast 834

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Putting Together Your Back Pocket List

I've been thinking about the place where we are in 2022. We're able to move about with quite a bit more freedom, but things aren't exactly back to normal yet. We're in this intermediate zone.

And even though I'm not quite ready to get on a plane and fly to Africa right now, I do want to get out. I want to take pictures.

So I was thinking about this concept that I call the Back Pocket List. It's like a bucket list, but much smaller and more attainable. It contains locations that you can reach in an afternoon or on a day off - accessible, but still beautiful.

I started building my Back Pocket List of five places that I like in Sonoma County. And I've set the goal of visiting and photographing each one before the end of the year.

To give you a better idea of what I'm talking about, here's my Back Pocket List:

Armstrong Woods - There are some wonderful redwood groves in Northern California (we're going to one of the best in a few weeks for our workshop), but Armstrong Woods is in my backyard, only a 30 minute drive away. I've already crossed this one off my list.

Fort Ross - Was once a true Russian Fort, well preserved, with great ocean views as well.

Duncans Landing, Bodega Bay - One of my favorite ocean views in all of California (and that's saying something). A great place to bring a picnic lunch.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Wonderful place for overnight camping, day hikes, and mingling with forest nature. Lots of deer, fox, birds, and more.

Ferrari-Carano Winery, Dry Creek - A spectacular building paired with superb gardens. Plus, once you've finished taking pictures, you can sample their excellent wine.