Are these good enough?

Hello,


I'm looking to get into nightclub photography and was wondering if you think these photos are good enough to get me in the door?

These were taken at various parties in student halls last year so unfortunately the lighting was far from ideal - mostly fluorescent tubes against white breeze block walls. Although the idea was the same as in a club - groups of people would approach and ask for their photo to be taken/ I would ask them if they would like a photo etc.


Link - http://www.flickr.com/photos/97912755@N07/sets/72157635324409775/


I'm quite confident I could do a respectable job in a nightclub, having looked into relevant techniques for some time and recently invested significantly in new gear.

Do you think it would be reasonable to offer the first night for free as a trial run and then expect to be paid for following nights providing the photos were of acceptable quality?

Sorry for all the questions but have no idea how to go about this!

Cheers,

Keir.

Hi keir

I shoot in a club and what you have to remember when shooting for a club is they want you to make the club look full, fun, lively and the people hot, sexy and having a great time. A lot of these shots just don't do this, to many late night drunken people with heads in the way and lots of empty space.

Offering free is also not a good idea all that happens is the club use you for free and once the free offer is over will wait for the next freebie. Sorry it's a tough business to charge for so you need to be really greasy and get a client that understands what quality photography can do for his business.

Hi Cabstar,

Thanks for the honest advice.

I understand completely what you are saying - these parties were taken in small rooms with a very small number of people compared to a club so there is empty space behind everyone in most of the photos. I don't know how I could replicate the situations in a club without actually taking photos at one.

Maybe a better approach would be to ask clubs to allow me to shoot in them purely for experience until I have a collection of photos that are more relevant.

Would it be possible for you to link me to some of your club photos?

Thanks again for the advice.

Keir.

The main problem is the compositions and the heads in the way. You eked the subjects to look at you together. Your subjects will either want to purchase your photos or share them on Facebook so the subjects need to look their best.

To gain experience just pop into your local club with some friends and have a go, the club will think you're just a punter taking shots of your friend

I've posted some club shots on the forum before so I'm sure a search will bring them up

Thanks for the reply Cabstar.

I've had a quick look through my HDD and uploaded some photos into a new set. Are these closer to what you are describing?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97912755@N07/sets/72157640433825096/

I know the backdrops aren't anything like what you'd find in a club but all the subjects are looking directly at the camera and there are no heads/bodies etc in the way. I have dozens of these kinds of shots - I didn't include them before as I personally find them less interesting.

Really appreciate the help.

Cheers,

Keir

Hi Keir

Yes they are so much better and exactly what club owners and punters are looking for.

Have you ever snapped a girl in a club who was wearing 'matt' makeup? I saw one once when perusing some local club pics on Facebook, taken by the in house photographer. It made her face look like a cardboard cut out as the lighting was completely even right across her face. there was no flash shine on forehead, or cheekbones or nose that usually give the face some depth. Quite spooky.

Ive shot a guy that looked like that once lol

He should have bought L'Oreal.



.

Like this one! http://www.flickr.com/photos/97912755@N07/9647179030/sizes/z/

And this! http://www.flickr.com/photos/97912755@N07/9647066338/sizes/z/

Definitely cringe worthy. Show them to the "models" in 10 years time for a red face reaction

That's good to know, thanks for clarifying what types of shots clubs are after.

Thanks Pentaxophile!

Yeah I think they might regret posing for a few of the photos in 10 years time