The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 virus changed the way many people live their lives. If you want to conduct a photography session, you may need to follow additional precautions to ensure that you won’t be at risk of getting sick.
Here are some tips you can consider if you’re going to have a photo shoot soon.
1. Shoot With Zoom Lens
Social distancing can be an obstacle that will limit your options when you’re taking photos. You can’t go too near another individual since you need to follow health guidelines for everyone’s safety. This effectively limits what you can capture in a photo.
If you’re shooting in an environment that requires you to keep your distance, try to use equipment that will let you take close shots easily. A zoom lens is your best friend when you can’t physically come closer to your subject.
You can take tight shots even when you’re standing far away, and you won’t have any difficulty seeing details you want to encapsulate in a photo. You can also bring tools with you during your photography sessions to help you see small components better.
For example, binoculars and scopes can be useful items for long-distance observations since they can magnify things you can’t see clearly. You can utilize these items if you’re shooting in an open space or if you need to change locations for a photoshoot constantly. If you want to see which equipment best suits your needs and budget, you can check this out.
2. Take Photos In Open Areas
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) outbreak made it difficult for people to gather and be near each other. In addition, most areas have strict health protocols to ensure that individuals won’t be at risk of getting infected. This situation can be challenging, especially if you want to go outside your home and take photos. Fortunately, there are some adjustments you can do to still be able to take pictures without worrying about getting sick.
If you’re going to take pictures of a human subject, shoot outside instead of doing the photography session inside a studio since shooting in open locations is safer than enclosed spaces. Outdoor photoshoots will also allow you to explore different backgrounds and better composition.
On the other hand, if you’re going to take photos of sceneries or inanimate objects, try to go to locations that aren’t filled with people. For example, you can go for a walk or visit parks to find interesting subjects for your photos.
3. Schedule Your Photoshoots
Nowadays, spontaneous photoshoots may not be the best option since you can’t ensure that you’ll be able to practice social distancing once you go outside. If you plan to conduct a photography session with someone else, schedule it. You can plan and set a date on when you’ll go out and take photos. This will ensure that you and everyone involved will be safe. You’ll also have time to prepare your equipment and your venue for your photoshoot.
If you’re going to book a studio or private venue, pick a place that follows sanitation and social distancing protocols. It would be advisable to secure your appointment ahead to avoid inconveniences during the day of your shoot.
Scheduling your photoshoots will also allow you to check if the equipment you have will suit the environment you’ll be in. For instance, you may need to secure a different camera if you’re shooting outdoors. The lighting will be different from an indoor setup, so you need to ensure that your camera can adapt to the situation. You may end up with poor quality output if you fail to pick the proper tools for your photography session.
4. Choose Inanimate Subjects
You won’t have to be stressed out about social distancing if your subject is inanimate. It can be challenging to meet people to work with since everyone is wary about getting sick. You also don’t want to put your health at risk just for the sake of getting good photos. If you have limited options for your photography session, the best choice you have is to take pictures of objects or sceneries.
You can explore nature or product photography until health restrictions in your area ease. It can be an excellent opportunity for you to learn new techniques and widen your specialty. This will also guarantee that you won’t be in contact with another individual. You’ll be more comfortable shooting without worrying about your health. If you want to work with moving subjects, you can also try wildlife or macro photography.
Final Thoughts
Doing photography during a pandemic seems like a difficult task, especially when you need to adhere to various health guidelines and social distancing protocols. Luckily, there are still ways for you to capture photos without breaking any rules and putting anyone at risk. You can use equipment that allows you to shoot far distances or pick an open space for your location. Remember that you’ll have a stress-free photo session if you prioritize the health and safety of everyone you’ll be around.
