Thursday, 11 March 2010

Scott Harrison and Vegas research

Prior to my trip to Las Vegas I spoke to Steve about research of images, burlesque and night time shots he advised contacting a photographer I've researched called Scott Harrison. I emailed Scott who has photographed Holly Madison and night time landscape shots of Vegas. Following Scott's advise I invested in a Tripod and purchased the Hama mini traveller pro.  I found it extremely useful for my night shot experiments.  I used my 18-55mm lens, no flash.  Please refer to blog info and pictures. 

Scott advised I would not be allowed permission to take pictures of Holly Madsion who stars in the burlesque Peepshow at Planet Hollywood. He sent me several shoots of Holly recently taken and also gave some information on techniques for night time photography.

Please see Scott's email response below

Hi Natalie,

Thanks for writing.  Holly is one of my favorite photo subjects here in Vegas, she is so darn photogenic!

I am 39 and started my photography when I was 21.  I had always been a big time music fan, but don't have any musical ability, so I had to find a way to work in the music/entertainment business without playing an instrument.  I went to the Art Institute of Houston back in '92, studied the Music & Video Business, and that's where I started shooting concerts.  I've been doing that and photographing celebrities ever since.
 
You will not be allowed to bring your camera into the Peepshow Theater, but I hear Holly does meet fans in the lobby after each performance, so make sure you stick around after the show right outside the theater so you can meet her and get your photo with her.  She is a living doll!

As you can imagine, the best, most striking photos of the Las Vegas Strip are taken after-dark, with the hotel/casinos available neon lights.  To get the best shots, you will need to put your camera on a tripod, get a cable release, and do long exposure photos.  You will need to do exposures too long to hand hold your camera, you must use a tripod and cable release.  Shoot at the lowest asa possible...like 100.  All manual settings: 100asa/iso, 5.6 aperature, maybe a shutter speed of 3-8 seconds.  You will have to experiment with how long to keep the shutter open.  I have gorgeous pics like these with my 17-80 lens, so your 18-55 will work perfectly.  

Let me know if you have anymore questions!

Scott



2 comments:

  1. Hi
    Good way of working to contact photographers before you go, can you expand your research of fashion/portrait photographers from the past and not just a contemporary one. collect a minimum of around 6 photographs that you want to comment on.

    steve

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  2. Hi
    as mentioned before you need to add research galleries into this blog to show me a range of photographers you are drawing influence from to inform you way of working.
    You need to be taking photographs which will feed your blogs and enable you to hit more criteria.
    I know you can do more so you need to focus now and start producing or you may have some problems towards the end of the course.

    steve

    ReplyDelete