FEATURE
TIPS ON TAKING YOUR OWN PHOTOS
Professional photographer Mike Crane says taking
photographs on site isn’t as easy as it looks.
PILE DRIVERS, DIVERS,
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WHARF BUILDERS
LOCAL 2404
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Training Provider
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and Bridgeworkers
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Phone: 604-526-2404 Fax: 604-526-2446 Toll Free: 1-800-562-2404
Email: piledrivers@piledrivers2404.ca Web: www.piledrivers2404.ca
Why hiring a professional might be worthwhile
A professional brings knowledge of lighting and photo composition
to show off your project’s best angles. They also use
a camera that is capable of providing high-resolution images
that will transfer to print and the screen in rich technicolour.
When sourcing photographers for his company, Price likes
to ask for industry referrals and then pores over portfolios to
ensure they have relevant photography experience.
“You want someone with a construction photography
background. They have to have a flair for knowing what the
customer wants to see and the ability to capture, edit and be
safe on a job site. Not every photographer will be confident
What to focus on
Crane says one of the biggest mistakes a
photographer can make is to rush in without
thinking about what you want to capture.
“A big thing I see with a lot of amateur
photos is a completely packed photo
where you can’t get across the process
or technique being used because the
image is so cluttered. Maybe you want to
wait until people are on break to capture
the equipment when the scene is more
open or maybe things need to be moved
around a bit.”
He advises photographers to take a
few moments to consider what they want
to capture and why before they click the
shutter. This will help you decide what
the focus of the photograph should be
and which vantage point will show that in
the best light.
If you’re simply looking to take photos
to show an overview of a job, consider
aspects of the job that might tell the
bigger story of the project.
“Keep an eye out for unique things
happening on the project and capture
images that show the whole scope of it,”
said Crane.
When composing photographs, you’ll
want to pay attention to things like
company logos and people who may
not want to be in the image. Programs
like Photoshop can help you remove
unwanted components from a photograph,
but it’s much easier to avoid
capturing them in the first place.
Camera tips
While a high-quality camera often makes
all the difference between a great photograph
and a mediocre one, there are
things you can do with your smartphone
or point-and-shoot digital camera to
make the most of what it has to offer.
• Use a tripod for photos and video to
ensure a steady, even shot.
• Choose one thing to focus on in each
photo and get in position to show that
off in the best way.
• If you have a choice, take photos on an
overcast day to avoid long shadows the
sun will produce. On sunny days, don’t
shoot into the sun.
• Don’t use the zoom button on your
smartphone. The quality of your photo
instantly decreases. Instead, get closer
to your subject.
• If you want your viewer to focus on one
thing, frame it in the centre of your
photograph. Keep backgrounds simple.
If you’re not sure you want to occasionally
hire a professional photographer,
consider investing in a good SLR camera
and sending a couple of staff members to
a photography class to learn how to use
it. A manual camera will help you harness
shutter speed, lengthen the aperture and
make the best use of lighting.
Doublestar Drilling uses project photos in their bid process,
attaching photos of similar projects they’ve completed
LATITUDE PHOTOGRAPHY/DOUBLESTAR DRILLING
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32
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