Derek Wells
12.30.2009
If you’ve ever seen multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner in concert, then chances are you’ve seen Derek Wells. For the past 5 years, Derek has been Josh’s lead guitarist. A couple weeks ago, Derek decided he wanted some portraits and that shadows should play a big role in the shoot. I don’t think portrait photography is where I want to focus, but this was good.
Derek is a guitar junkie. He plays constantly. During our time, he stopped playing only to change clothes. Capturing him doing what he loves was great! The shoot happened on a cold December night. We threw down on some Famous Dave’s and then the games began.
SHOOT NOTES
Interesting facts and what I learned.
- We shot this at the studio where Derek’s dad owns space – The Sound Kitchen in Brentwood, TN.
- I own an Arri Softbank IV hot light kit. I used the 300w with a frost gel on the front to soften the light a bit. I also used one of the 650s for a couple of the shots. I was so frustrated the entire shoot because the light seemed incredibly harsh and it was diffused all over the place. I couldn’t get a tight spot on Derek. 15 minutes before the end, I remembered that the lights have something called barn doors you attach that can focus the light into a certain area. LESSON: Use the barn doors.
- I didn’t realize until the end that none of Derek’s other guitar – a Telecaster – were in the best photos. Every single photo selected was with his Gibson 345. LESSON: if someone brings two guitars (or changes of clothes) to a shoot, be sure to use them – and to alternate fairly frequently.
- Frankly, portrait work can be confusing when you’re doing it for the first time. It feels awkward. Much like anything else you first start doing. You feel like an idiot some of the time. You’re moving around trying to get interesting angles, working with lights, and instructing the person you’re shooting. The whole time you’re thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing. It’s going to be a miracle if I get even one good photo out of this.” But there always seem to be a number of photos that surprise! LESSON: Trust your intuition. And watch videos/read article on how to conduct a portrait session. They help!
- Workflow is what happens after you get done with the shoot – how photos get to your computer, how you edit them, where you post them. There are a ton of variables and possibilities. This was the first shoot where I realized I needed to have a system. After reading some articles and watching some videos, I finally have a workable system for processing my photos from import -> sort -> edit -> post. Having this system makes me more excited to shoot because I don’t have to fret about the confusion of what to do when I’m DONE shooting.
Throughout 2009, I shot a crazy number of photos but never posted them. For 40 consecutive days, I'm going to post these shoots. Something new every day!
BEYAAAAAAAAAWWWWWW
You are the man!…… man…?? And what Seth said too… Oh-mazing
I am no expert, but you are either really talented at this, or really lucky.