Kal Rieman, a New York-based fashion house specializing in fashion goods for women, needed to capture the newest collection for their upcoming look book.
As the assistant photographer, I ensured the camera was production ready before and during the shoot. I would keep batteries charged, and replace them; clean, and replace lenses; configure, and update settings; load, and process data cards; and perform meter, and color temperature readings. I also rented or purchased equipment we didn’t have in stock, and delivered them to our studio.
Following the artistic direction of the photographer and lighting designer, I was in charge of the Gaffing and Gripping. The Lighting Designer is responsible for the overall lighting design, but delegates the implementation of the design to the Gaffer and the Key Grip, which in this case was my responsibility. The Gaffer is responsible for managing lighting, including associated resources such as labor, lighting instruments and electrical equipment. The Key Grip is the head grip, in charge of the labor, and non-electrical equipment used to support and modify the lighting. Grip equipment includes, but isn’t limited to, stands, flags and gobos.
During post-production, I retouched the photographs before compiling them into a look book and sending them off to the client. I focused on highlighting the subject’s natural beauty by only removing temporary blemishes, the occasional stray hair, and spending most of my time cleaning up the backdrop’s imperfections.
