Urban shooting for brochure - help needed

Snowgirl

Hi. I've been contracted by a community to shoot a series of images that will be used in a brochure. Some will be lifestyle shots (e.g. the local recreational facilities, runners on the road at a scenic overlook, etc.).

Others involve shots of a (hopefully busy) long main street (to show business activity), one or two within the local industrial park area, and one showing new commercial/industrial construction.

My biggest concern is the second set. The main street shot poses some difficulties: it's a long and winding road (where have I heard that before?) with a rise in the middle and the businesses are scattered along a 1.5 mile stretch. I scouted yesterday and to me it looks like I need to set up in the middle of the street (at great risk to life and limb, not to mention gear) and probably with a wide-angle lens. Same in the industrial park.

Any suggestions on how to do this effectively? Will my 20mm lens do the trick? Even the runner shot?

The end result is supposed to be six images that convey the story of living and doing business in this community. Help?

lfortier

Hire a policeman.

Snowgirl

lfortier wrote: »

Hire a policeman.

Actually, the local RCMP station is nearby and I'm thinking of doing just that for the mid-road portion of the shoot.

Art Scott

are there no medians to stand on? Or a walk over, elevated walk way from 1 building to the next or just an elevated sidewalk.....or elevated train track to shoot off of....

divamum

If it were me, I'd ask the hiring organisation to ensure that you were able to shoot in the street and to MAKE IT SAFE, be that via policemen, security guards, whatever. GIven that it's for the community, presumably they have some clout in that regard. There's no way I'd risk getting run over, no matter how great the shot!!!

Depending on where that leads you, I suspect angles etc will become clearer as you figure out exactly *where* you'll be allowed to shoot from (and SAFE to shoot from). Is there the remotest possibility they could put you up in a cherry picker or something so you could shoot from above?

Snowgirl

Art Scott wrote: »

are there no medians to stand on? Or a walk over, elevated walk way from 1 building to the next or just an elevated sidewalk.....or elevated train track to shoot off of....

Sadly no. This is a small town (population about 4500) so I'm lucky the bloody street is paved And I don't think there's a building over 2 stories high in the whole town. There is a railway track that might work - and as far as I know there are only 2 trains a day that pass through.

I was thinking wide angle lens - 20mm. Would you agree?

Snowgirl

divamum wrote: »

If it were me, I'd ask the hiring organisation to ensure that you were able to shoot in the street and to MAKE IT SAFE, be that via policemen, security guards, whatever. GIven that it's for the community, presumably they have some clout in that regard. There's no way I'd risk getting run over, no matter how great the shot!!!

Depending on where that leads you, I suspect angles etc will become clearer as you figure out exactly *where* you'll be allowed to shoot from (and SAFE to shoot from). Is there the remotest possibility they could put you up in a cherry picker or something so you could shoot from above?

Good point. I've been hired by the Mayor and town council so they should be able to ensure my safety. I will be talking to them.

A cherry picker would be fantastic. I MIGHT be able to get some help from the fire department because they just built a new building and that's one of the shots they want included - I'm thinking good lookin' firemen washing down a bright fire engine right in front of the building. Hopefully I won't drool all over my gear too much - sigh. And maybe they'd be allowed to set up so I could get up high for the shot of main street. Good idea!:D

Snowgirl

Any other recommendations? Especially for the most appropriate lens?