In the previous post I talked about the meaning and importance of backup. Now I want to talk about something even more basic; the checklist.
Scenario: You were hired to shoot an event in a distant place. It takes 3 hours to get there by car and so you leave home 4.5 hours before the opening so you won't be so tight in schedule. You get there exactly 3 hours later. The weather is great, the place looks awesome and your client is already there taking care of last minute preparations.
It's a very important event with many attendees and you know you're expected to capture some great photos for your client's PR. There's still some time left before you need to start working and so you first drink a cup of coffee and go around the place to get to know the stage, lighting and foyer you'll be working in. All looks good! OK, time to get some pre-event shots...
You take out your camera, turn it on and......... Nothing happens. You turn the switch off and on again - Nothing yet! It's then that you notice there's something missing; your battery. Needless to say, you skip a beat. Then you reach for your bag with fear and look for the spare battery - Nada! It only makes sense it's not there because you got back late yesterday with drained batteries, connected them to your charger, and at this very moment they are fully charged for sure... connected to the charger, 200 miles away!
You got my point so let's wake up from the bad dream only to understand this could be real. Those things happen, and you don't want to be the one they happen to. I once forgot my main camera's batteries when I was a novice but I was lucky enough to have my backup body that works on a different battery which I had with me... but believe me, you don't want to start your work knowing you only have one camera and that your main one can only serve as a doorstop.
Make a checklist!
When: at least a day before the event. If it's a big one and requires special arranging consider making that checklist few days earlier so you'll have time to equip yourself with everything you need for that job.
What: write down everything you need to take with you. Categorize things to make the list more useful. Here's an example of a list I prepare for an event that takes place outside the city. Note my comments in red.
Camera Bag: (A good way to categorize things is by the bags or cases you carry them in)Main bodyTwo Batteries for main body (Don't take batteries for granted. write them separated from the body)Backup bodyTwo batteries for backup body16-35 lens24-70 lens70-200 lens580 Flash I580 Flash II
6 sets of AA Batteries3 8GB CF Memory Card3 8GB SD Memory CardLaptop Bag:LaptopAC PowerCard ReaderBlank DVD Medias
Lighting Case:2 400 WS Monolights 3 Power Cords2 Power extension cords2 Radio transmitters3 Radio ReceiversSync cords for backup + splitters2 Light stands5 Extra Batteries for radio transceiversMisc:Tripod + PlateGaffer TapeToolkitClothing:Bla bla bla.... etcetcThis was only a short example. In a different post I'll write about the other things I always carry in my bag but for now I believe I made my point. Make a list, make it a habit and you'll save yourself lots of troubles!
