Preparing For the Perfect Location Shoot - Part 2

In the last article we discussed all the things you can do to find and prepare for the perfect shoot. With all the locations you have pre-scouted, equipment at the ready, we're now ready to head out. Now bear in mind you're going to run into so many possibilities and choices even in the one location. From natural areas, indoor rooms, up against a building, by the water or by a cliffside there is one key rule to a location and scouting. How does it affect the story I am trying to tell? From lighting, to composition and safety here are some tips to make that location scout a productive and fun one.

If it's a public place like a city street or a park or a popular tourist attraction, the amount of people coming by these places can change the feel of a shot between time, the day or even the season. But, an even bigger factor to take into account is how the light comes into play.

There's no two-ways about it, light makes or breaks a photo. Without light there is no photo. Light can change an ordinary scene into something spectacular.

A lot of indoor venues, churches, restaurants and auditoriums generally don't have volumes of light, and if they do sometimes it's a dull flat overhead light. Check the light levels with a light meter (there is one built-in on your camera see) or there are several apps available on several mobile platforms.) Some ways to fix for poor lighting is to look out for curtains that can be opened or light from another room that can be bounced through to an area with a reflector. Also consider bringing extra lights or strobes if necessary.

Outdoor lighting conditions can be as challenging as those indoors; the light outside changes all the time. One minute it's sunny then cloudy, or even starts raining! Things to look out for are, whether a specific spot is in direct sunlight, partial or completely in the shade and whether it changes at different times of the day.

In and around midday, the bright sun can be harsh on people's faces and cause them to squint or look uncomfortable, and light-colored surfaces can easily overexpose and be glory in the sunlight, causing all sorts of metering problems and overexposed areas. Partial sunlight can be difficult as well. You may actually find that shooting in the shade or on overcast days may be a lot more consistent and softer on the skin.

Tip: Golden Hour: It's called golden hour for a reason. Golden hour is the sweet spot in and around an hour of sunrise and sunset at which the light is most pleasing, producing long gentle shadows and beautifully soft light because the sun is close to the horizon. It's at this time the sky is similar in brightness and contrast to the ground, creating a pleasing background for your subject.

Now that we've got light under control, some of the other elements to consider are composition, texture and colour. Even when you're taking portraits a strong background can help create visually engaging shots. Look for lines leading to a particular spot where you can position someone to stand, the edges of buildings, the way a shadow falls leading to a spot, or variations in texture that will lend well to the story and give a little more visual interest.

On the flip side, also look out for things in that area that will distract from the subject at hand, things that will draw the eye away like a bold colour that doesn't suit the image.

Tip: Practice makes perfect. Practice shooting the composition without the subject, so when the time actually comes it will be very easy. Composition is something that gets easier with practice. With all the creative scouting out of the way, there are some other important things that must be taken into account on the shoot. They may not be the most fun but are very necessary.

Safety would have to be a top priority in assessing all locations to shoot. No matter how perfect it is visually, if it's not safe it's not worth the risk of injury, fines or damage to equipment. But accidents happen, so it's good to be prepared.

Tip: Purchase a small First Aid kit (under $100) that you can throw in the car, you never know when you will need it.

Other things that can interrupt a shoot is the weather. Cameras don't like rain, salty beach air or the spray from a waterfall, so protect your equipment or it won't last very long. Assessing the location for weather before the shoot and organising or finding environmental protection is very important. Hot temperatures with cameras out in the sun all day can overheat and really low temperatures can drain batteries. So looking out for available shelter, shade and powerpoints especially if you are planning on using larger strobe lights can really help.

The final decision on a location being viable may not even be a creative one. Some locations will require permission and often fees are attached. In a public place with minimal equipment, you can often get away with snapping away without any problems. However with more equipment, in parklands and especially on private property, it is a good idea to check out the local regulations and get permission to not have your shoot rudely interrupted.

With all these points it's a lot to take in. Write it down, record a little video with some audio of what you thought about the location, how you felt, what time of the day it was, how good the light was, what the direction was. It's a good idea to keep a checklist. Our memories quickly fade and some locations we see may not be suitable for the shoot you are scouting for but may be perfect for another.

When you sit down after a day out exploring, you'll be glad that you kept notes. Over time you'll build up a great bank of locations and have all the information at your fingertips.

So these are some of the things to consider when out location scouting. Once you've done a few, it will really hone in your perception and attention to detail and make light work of scouting in the future, making more time for you to be out there taking captivating photos.