New York based wedding photographer Richard B Flores is taking his job very seriously. Like all of us, he works hard on the day of the event and of course the following days while he edits. But Richard is doing something maybe not many of us do: he spends the day before each event heavily prepping his equipment - from cleaning, to syncing and charging. Check out his BTS video showing the prep day and read his explanation for each of the steps.
Richard is a great wedding and engagement photographer, and he shoots a lot of weddings every year. He knew he must be very organized in order to not forget any piece of equipment before he leaves for a job, and make sure all equipment is in a perfect working condition. In order to do it, he developed a prepping system he follows before and after each of his events.
Richard made a check list where he can make sure all equipment is ready and packed and he uses it for each event he shoots. He also uses the same list when he comes back from an event to make sure nothing was left behind.
Right when he gets back home from an event he charges all batteries. It takes time and he want to make sure he's not waiting for the last minute to do it. By doing it right away he subjects himself to considerably less stress later in the process of prepping.
Below are the steps (as seen in the video) explained by Richard:
1. I make sure our office is clean. We're constantly cleaning and vacuuming to prevent dust and pet hair from getting on our equipment.
2. I clean every lens one by one. First the front lens, then the back lens. I use air to blow off anything before using Lens Cleaner and the Lens Towel. I make sure to blow air on the caps as well because those get dirty also. When blowing air onto the front and back of the glass I try to keep it away and make sure the liquid inside is settled so it doesn't spray the freezing liquid.
3. I use a Visible Dust Artic Butterfly to remove anything that is stuck inside the ridges of the front of the lens. The fiber are really thin and are good at picking everything up.
4. I wipe down the contacts on the back of the lens.
5. I close everything off and I spray lens cleaner to the outside of the lens and wipe it down with a regular microfiber towel. I make sure all the rings turn correctly and the Manual/Auto focus buttons are working properly.
6. I bring out our camera bodies and remove all batteries and grips.
7. I wipe everything down using the same Lens Cleaner spray and the microfiber towel.
8. I remove the Eye Cap and clean the viewfinder with the visible dust wipe.
9. I blow air on the entire camera and check that all the buttons are working and not stuck. (I had a wedding guest spill a drink and some of it got onto one of my cameras. I thought it was okay but it dried and got sticky and the button got stuck so I had to spray some liquid to get it to work properly again)
10. I check all the batteries to make sure they are charged and if any are low then I leave them charging. (I Usually put all batteries to charge the day after we finish a wedding so that it's ready to go.)
11. This is probably the most important one for me. Making sure our cameras are all synced. So I set them all up and make sure the time is synchronized. This makes my life easier during post processing.
12. I confirm all my settings are the same for all cameras and leave my shutter at 1/100 and ISO 100. (I don't have a reason for this but I just do it idk)
13. I Check all Memory Cards and format them in camera if needed.
14. I load fully charged batteries into all cameras and load clean memory cards.
15. After everything is finished I pack all our gear into one of our rollers.
16. I use spider holsters so I make sure 2 of the cameras have the adapter.
Do you have a system for prepping for a job? Let us in the comments!
Watching this video made me realize how bad is my prep. I usually realize nothing is ready 5 minutes before I leave for a shoot ;)
I don't think that can air crap is good for your gear.
Yes I wouldn't recommend directly spraying the air onto the lens or anything for that matter. I keep a safe distance and it's only short bursts to blow off the dust. Instructions are about 3-5in. away.
Do yourself a favor, ditch the plastic tips and buy a chrome valve cleaner.
http://www.amazon.com/Falcon-Dust-Off-Chrome-Valve-Cleaner/dp/B00154YUT2...
Much safer and its hard to get the liquid spray, I use that on set all the time as an AC.
Awesome Craig thanks for the tip!!
Richard thank you for the follow up.
You do have to be careful with it (as Richard has said). Many years ago I used it on the mirror of a film camera and some of the fluid came out, it left a nasty stain on the mirror that I could not remove.
I'd use it on the outside of a body or body of a lens (and not directly as pointed out), but *never* inside on the sensor, and not on the glass of a lens.
And keep the can upright...
Do you have rights to the audio used? Wondering how that works.
I also wonder about this. I'm constantly asked to make videos for friends and family but I never use popular music for fear that the video will get taken down to copyright infringement. Do you just make what you want and wait for the day it's taken off? Richard, did you buy this song?
I wonder what kind of videos you're *constantly* asked to make, for free, that would require licensed music, and be posted online.
Did I say free? I'm just curious to know how to license music like this if it was licensed at all. All of the music licensing sites that I know of don't have music like this. The song used in this video is obviously a very popular one and I'd like to know if it was a reasonable price. I have many friends that have small businesses that would like to add video content to their websites. I enjoy doing this type of work on the side so, yes, I get a lot of requests for this sort of thing but music is always an issue.
You're a right little keyboard warrior, aren't ya kid
Hmmm what should I do now... You don't have anything to say so you go to the old standby of calling someone a kid. If I am a kid, I have to stomp my feet and try to convince you I'm not by saying something absurd. Maybe tell you what frat I joined or that I work for a big company in a cubicle, making tons of money. If I'm not, well I guess it doesn't matter to me much. I'm already better than you.
I call you a kid because i have few doubts that i am much much older than you. Also you have no way of knowing you're better than me however i have no doubt your delusions have left you feeling that you are better than most. Here's the thing, if you hold the arrogant views you so clearly do, why come to this website? Fstoppers is here so people can share knowledge not belittle those who don't have it. Leave this website to those who are here to teach and those who are here to learn. All the best hot shot.
Yes I bought this song. but if you are interested in music info check out this post http://fstoppers.com/finally-it-is-now-possible-to-license-popular-music...
Thank you Richard! Very helpful.
Thx Richard.
Everyone that was bitching just got FLOwned.
Really? You're "wondering" about that? I think everyone knows how to get permission to use a song for commercial purposes. This comment sounds more like one of those passive aggressive internet trolls that thinks, *snort*"I bet this guy just put the song in his video and I want to seem smart and 1up him because I'm jealous, so I'll play dumb and ask if he has rights to it."
Grow up people. Unless you made the work and have a complaint about it's use, leave people alone.
This is not a troll question. Everyone does not know how to license this type of music. Please share your obvious expertise!
There's a new website that lets you search the internet called Goggle or something... Goodlet? Goobles? I don't remember because it's so new and rarely used. If you type in "how to license music", you might get 1 or 2 sites to check out. It's where most pro photographers like me go to look for things like, "how to magically fix blurry wedding photos I ruined", "what is photoshop", "free things that will make my pictures not suck", and "videos of people telling me exactly what buttons to press on my camera".
oh how I enjoy basking in the warm glow of your immense knowledge. Thank you troll.
Obviously a little kid. You're not getting it. The rules are different for attaining Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as apposed to AJ Hochhalter "The Needle Moves". But obviously you don't understand because you're too busy being "Pro" and searching "Goggle".
That was a freaken STUPID comment. Jealous? Of what? And exactly what is it that "we" all are supposed to know about getting permission to use a song for commercial purposes? Call them up and ask? Sorry Charlie... doesn't work like that AT ALL. I work for a commercial company and we pay thousands a year for licensing music and that's for artists that aren't even part of the scene or famous musicians. I was wondering how he managed, if legally, to get a Blur song... or if illegally, how Vimeo didn't remove it. It was a question.
how do you put 4 camera bodies and 4 flashes to use during a wedding? Myself i just have a checklist to make sure i dont forget anything. Is dust on your lenses even visible below f4? :)
If I have to guess - 2 of the bodies are for his fiancé who shoots with him as a 2nd shooter.
She gets the Mark 2s LOL
Jonas, my fiancé and I work together. We typically use 3 bodies and one as backup just incase.
I really liked what appeared to be the time sync/settings check. I have had times where I had the time off on all three bodies... Not a good thing at all.
Great Vid..How often do you "cycle" your batteries for new sets? Same with CF cards.. once per season?
We haven't had any issues with our batteries. We usually make sure they are fully used before charging again and for 10+hr day weddings that pretty much does it. As for cards, haven't had any issues either then again we've changed them ever other year.
Top score for having the cleanest kit.
Is it possible to see the entire checklist? Really curious to see what's on it... ;)
Koen, shoot me a message on my FB or site and I'll be happy to provide you with a copy.
I would love a copy of this as well!
Maybe it's only my point of view but I think there are some points which are over the top.
<i>"...something maybe not many of us do..."</i>
That part surprised me, but maybe I'm just overly OCD and assume other people are too. ;-)
Then again, I've been surprised a few times to settle down on the baseline next to a pro from a giant newspaper and watch him toss his lenses into his bag without front or rear caps, all jangling around together in the bag. I suppose he didn't have to front his own gear though.
Im sure that if you check how many photographers clean and sync their equipment like shown in the video above - it will be less than 10% (not scientific, just a calculated guess). I shoot everyday, and my prep looks nothing like this... much messier ;)
Honestly Wil it's probably my OCD too but in my opinion it's important to check everything before going to do a job for someone who's paying thousands of dollars. Sometimes it takes photographers years to acquire equipment which I'm assuming you are familiar with so yes we must take the proper care regardless. I feel sorry for people who don't time sync their cameras.
I'm glad I don't have more than two cameras, though. Keeping two time-synced is hard enough (for me). :-)
Actually... I remove all the caps on my lenses before an event shoot and toss them into pouches on my belt too (and I own all my equipment).
If the caps are on and a situation unfolds, you won't be able to change the lenses fast enough to respond otherwise. I guess it came from me starting out with all primes setup with 1 camera, but I still do it with 2 bodies, 2 zooms and the primes I carry on the job.
They really aren't that fragile and if you put a filter on it the front element's really safe.
Grey, the guy I was specifically remembering had a backpack with no dividers; he was tossing the lenses in there after the event, on his way home. They were just jangling around against each other. I got goosebumps at the time, thinking of all the money. :-)
gahh! ok that's bad
What kind of bag is he putting his gear in?
Hi Stephan, here are the rollers we use http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/764920-REG/Tamrac_559201_5592_Spee...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847311-REG/Think_Tank_559_Airport_...
eeew Canon ...
Pretty sure lost all respect for this photographer using can air. You do know that Can Air has a chemical in it that your coating your lens with. it's so kids don't huff it.
That being said, if you were to buy a used lens off someone, I'd rather buy one off this guy than almost anyone else! Some people I know are terrible at this stuff, one photographer I shoot with, consistently has the dirtiest lenses (because I'm pretty sure they only time his lenses get cleaned are when I shoot with him and end up doing it for him).
Jimmy, we don't spray the air directly on the equipment it's more of indirect bursts. Plus spraying about 3-5in away so no liquid is sprayed is safer IMO. Someone here recommended getting one of these http://www.amazon.com/Falcon-Dust-Off-Chrome-Valve-Cleaner/dp/B00154YUT2...
I see you state here "I clean every lens one by one. First the front lens, then the back lens. I use air to blow off anything before using Lens Cleaner and the Lens Towel. I make sure to blow air on the caps as well because those get dirty also. When blowing air onto the front and back of the glass I try to keep it away and make sure the liquid inside is settled so it doesn’t spray the freezing liquid."
Why don't you just use your rocket to get rid of the dirt and dust? In my opinion you don't need 50+ psi to blow out dust or dirt if your using your gear consistently as you say. This way you don't risk a beginner photographer watching the video blowing duster spray on their lenses and gear. It gives out the wrong impression because there is no statement in the video.