Outside Imagery - The Photographer's Assistant

The Photographer’s Assistant by John Kieffer

John Kieffer began his professional photography career as a photographer’s assistant along Colorado’s Front Range. Assisting is the best way to transition to professional photographer.

Available from: http://www.allworth.com (800-491-2808)

To order, please contact the publisher or your local bookseller.

Available from: http://www.allworth.com (800-491-2808)

To order, please contact the publisher or your local bookseller.

The Photographer’s Assistant
Learn the Inside Secrets of Professional Photography -- and Get Paid for It
by John Kieffer

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Assistant and the Photographic Community

• The Photographic Assistant • The Assistant’s Responsibilities • Benefits from Assisting • The Professional Photographic Community • Freelancing and Full-Time Assisting

An Interview with Shel Secunda

Chapter 2. Making the Most of Your Skills

• Assisting Skills • Expanding Your Repertoire • Resources • Getting Hands-On Experience • Making the Most of Your Nonphotographic Skills • Creating Something from Nothing • Location and Travel Skills • Being Objective • Assistant’s Skill List • Promotional Material • Electronic Media • Alternate Approaches • The Portfolio

An Interview with Michal Heron

Chapter 3. Finding the Right Photographers

• Defining Your Market • Contacting Prospective Clients • The Call Report

An Interview with Jim Grout

Chapter 4. Business Matters

• Establishing Your Rates • Bookkeeping • Business Purchases • Ethical Considerations

An Interview with Todd Droy

Chapter 5. Your First Day on the Job

• Preliminary Information • Beginning Your Day • Working with Equipment • Working with Film • Keeping Organized • Finishing Up • The Day’s Shoot • List of Essentials

Chapter 6. The 35mm Single Lens Reflex Camera

• Characteristics of the 35mm SLR • The Assistant’s Responsibilities • Lenses and Filters

Chapter 7. The Medium-Format Camera

• Key Characteristics • Medium-Format Film • The Film Magazine • Loading the Film Magazine • Preparing the Film Magazine • The Exposure Process • Unloading the Film Magazine • Film Processing • The Roll Film Holder and View Camera • Lenses, Filters, and the Compendium • Using a Tripod

Chapter 8. The View Camera

• Key Characteristics • View Camera Basics • Large-Format Lenses • Sheet Film • Preparing the Sheet-Film Holder • Cleaning the Film Holder • Loading the Film Holder • Inserting the Film • The Exposure Process • Unloading the Film Holder • Ensuring Proper Processing • Working with the Photo Lab • The Changing Tent • Summary of Responsibilities Related to Camera and Film

Chapter 9. Polaroid Instant Film

• Why Use Polaroid Instant Film? • General Characteristics • The Assistant’s Responsibilities • 35mm SLR and Medium-Format Instant-Film Backs • Polaroid for the View Camera • The 8" x 10" Polaroid System • Responsibilities Related to Polaroid Instant Film

An Interview with Steve Umland

Chapter 10. Scanning Film and Using Digital Files

• General Scanning Procedures • Tips for Adjusting and Working with Scans • Different File Formats • Kodak Photo CD Scans • Web Sites • Burning a CD-ROM • E-Mail • Protecting Your Photography

Chapter 11. Capturing Digital Images

• Digital Capture • Digital Capture Using Medium-Format and View Cameras • Viewing the Image • Computers and Software • The Assistant and the Computer • The Assistant’s Responsibilities • Working with Photoshop

An Interview with Carl Fischer

Chapter 12. Artificial Lighting

• Compare and Contrast • The Electronic Flash System • The Power Supply • The Flash Head • Summary of Responsibilities Related to Electronic Flash Systems • On-Camera Electronic Flash Units • Summary of Responsibilities Related to On-Camera Flash • Continuous Light Sources (Tungsten and HMI)

Chapter 13. Working with Light

• Qualities of Light • Light-Modifying Devices • Summary of Responsibilities Related to Light-Modifying Devices • Light Meters • Summary of Responsibilities Related to Light Meters

An Interview with Chip Simons

Chapter 14. Photographic Hardware

• Stands • Booms • Clamps • Adhesives • Miscellaneous Hardware • Summary of Responsibilities Related to Photographic Hardware

Chapter 15. Surface Preparation

• Primary Considerations • Cleaning • Commonly Encountered Surfaces • Monitoring the Exposure Process • Painting • Miscellaneous Aerosol Sprays • Summary of Responsibilities Related to Surface Preparation

Chapter 16. Background Materials

• General Guidelines • Plastic Laminates • Seamless Paper • Plexiglas • Additional Materials • Summary of Responsibilities Related to Background Materials

Chapter 17. The Photographic Studio

• Learning the Studio • The Shooting Area • The Workshop • The Kitchen • The Lounge Area • The Computer • The Make-Up Room • The Darkroom • Equipment and Background Storage

An Interview with Pete Saloutos

Chapter 18. Photographic Specialties

• Product Photography • People Photography • Wedding Photography • Location Photography • Audio-Visual Assignments • Overnight Assignments • Acquiring Location Work • Architectural Work • Stock Photography • Summary of Responsibilities Related to Photographic Specialties

An Interview with Nancy Brown

Chapter 19. Getting the Most from Assisting

• Be a Good Assistant • Keep Shooting • Think Beyond Photography • Take Advantage of What’s Available

Chapter 20. My Transition to Being a Photographer

• Me, A Salesman? • Assisting Saves the Day • Try Something Different • Networking • Stock Photography: Timing Was Everything • The Stock-Photo Industry and You • Where I Am in the Year 2001

Model-Release Form
Glossary

Appendix A: Photographic Associations
Appendix B: Creative Directories – Sourcebooks – Web Sites
Appendix C: Photographic Literature and Catalogs
Appendix D: Periodicals
Index

245 pages

Available from: http://www.allworth.com (800-491-2808)

The Photographer’s Assistant by John Kieffer

John Kieffer -- Outside Imagery
4548 Beachcomber Court
Boulder, CO 80301 USA
Phone: 303-530-3357
John@OutsideImagery.com