Event Photo Quicktip: Setting up Cables and Strobes
In the 10 Event Photography Tips – Warrior Style blog I published recently, I discussed some important tips we can be guided with when we’re covering events. This time I want to share some safety ideas when shooting an event.
Check out the video and enjoy!
Highlights of this video:
0:18 – Quick tip: Lights and umbrella set-up
0:39 – Tips to prevent people from tripping on the cables
Safety tip #1: Think ahead and Be prepared
We already know the saying “prevention is better than cure”. It is always important to think of safety in everything that we do. This goes the same with event photography. With all the set up for sound, lights, wires and on with people moving everywhere, chances are it can get very chaotic. That’s why it is important to keep the equipment away from people so they won’t trip over. Again, safety should always come first.
Before setting up do this:
- Use duct tape (make sure to secure enough of it for your set-up, depending on the event’s area)
- Prepare sandbags for your light stands/li>
- Hang up cables
Click the photos below to see how I’ve set-up my equipment…
So what did I do here?
These are the things I did to make sure no one got hurt on my photoshoot
- Positioned the lights and umbrella stands to the right places.
- I attached the cable to the light stand.
- I looped the cable right at the bottom of the stand so that if someone trips over, then it pulls from the bottom and not from the top.
- I placed a sandbag on the light stand to make it stronger and more stable.
- I taped the& wires to the floor to stop people from tripping over them.
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I hope this one helps. Feel free to leave me your comments below.
Cheers,
Brent
Great tip!
You recommended using duct tape to secure the wires. Is duct tape better than gaffer’s tape? Will duct tape pull varnish from the floor? Duct tape is at least less expensive than gaff tape, if it works as well.
What type of sand bags are you using? They look almost like some type of pouch.
You are right Steve. Duct tape is great.
I got my sand bags at a camera store – they are made out of a tough material, but any material that will not rip will do. B