Photographer Interview Preparation Guide
Elevate your Photographer interview readiness with our detailed compilation of 19 questions. Each question is crafted to challenge your understanding and proficiency in Photographer. Suitable for all skill levels, these questions are essential for effective preparation. Secure the free PDF to access all 19 questions and guarantee your preparation for your Photographer interview. This guide is crucial for enhancing your readiness and self-assurance.19 Photographer Questions and Answers:
1 :: What equipment do you use?
My primary camera is a Canon 5D, but I also have a Canon 1D Mark II N that I keep on-site as a backup, and a Canon 20D that I keep in my car for emergencies. As far as lenses, I have TONS but my favorites are the 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 16-35 2.8 and 70-200 2.8, all from Canon, as well as the Tamron 28-75 2.8. I also tend to steal Jason’s 100 2.8 macro quite a bit I use Canon 580 EX II flashes and a Canon ST-E2 to fire them.
2 :: Do you shoot RAW or JPEG?
I shoot entirely in RAW, basically as a “just in case,” but I extract the JPGs from my RAW files in PhotoMechanic and edit those. Most of the RAW files will never see the light of day, unless there is a great shot that was extremely over-/under-exposed. I prefer this method because it allows me to have the security of RAW while getting all the great color, contrast, and vibrancy of an in-camera JPG.
3 :: How do I take good portraits?
Here are some general guidelines for taking good portraits:
► Use longer focal lengths instead of shorter (telephoto instead of wide angle). This will make your subject's face more natural and less bulbous.
► Use a wide aperture for shallow depth of field. This will focus attention on your subject and not your background.
► Avoid distracting backgrounds.
► Try to achieve even illumination by exploiting natural light. If you can't use natural light, then use studio lights and/or multiple flashes and/or a bounce flash.
► Avoid taking pictures where part of your subject's face is in shadow unless you really know what you're doing.
► Avoid using a single flash pointing directly at the subject. This will create harsh shadows on either the subject of the area behind the subject.
► Use longer focal lengths instead of shorter (telephoto instead of wide angle). This will make your subject's face more natural and less bulbous.
► Use a wide aperture for shallow depth of field. This will focus attention on your subject and not your background.
► Avoid distracting backgrounds.
► Try to achieve even illumination by exploiting natural light. If you can't use natural light, then use studio lights and/or multiple flashes and/or a bounce flash.
► Avoid taking pictures where part of your subject's face is in shadow unless you really know what you're doing.
► Avoid using a single flash pointing directly at the subject. This will create harsh shadows on either the subject of the area behind the subject.
4 :: What are the most common spelling/grammar mistakes in photography?
OK, nobody asked this one, but I couldn't resist:
aperture
Note that there is only one "a" in "aperture". It is incorrect to write or say, "aperature."
height
Notice that there is no "th" at the end of this word. Resist the temptation to spell "heighth" or to make a "th" sound when saying this word. The "th" isn't there; it's silly to pronounce the word as if it were. I suspect that the origin of this bizarre error is the temptation to say, "length, width and heighth," or perhaps from some origins in Old or Middle English. According to dictionary.com, 90% of a usage panel surveyed disapproved of an extra "th" sound at the end.
lens
The word "lens" is singular. There is no "e" at the end in the singular form. "Len" is not a word in English. The plural of "lens" is "lenses".
noise
This word is frequently spelled incorrectly as, "noice."
aperture
Note that there is only one "a" in "aperture". It is incorrect to write or say, "aperature."
height
Notice that there is no "th" at the end of this word. Resist the temptation to spell "heighth" or to make a "th" sound when saying this word. The "th" isn't there; it's silly to pronounce the word as if it were. I suspect that the origin of this bizarre error is the temptation to say, "length, width and heighth," or perhaps from some origins in Old or Middle English. According to dictionary.com, 90% of a usage panel surveyed disapproved of an extra "th" sound at the end.
lens
The word "lens" is singular. There is no "e" at the end in the singular form. "Len" is not a word in English. The plural of "lens" is "lenses".
noise
This word is frequently spelled incorrectly as, "noice."
5 :: What procedure will let me use wide apertures even in conditions of bright light?
It sounds like what you want is a neutral density filter. This makes everything a little darker without affecting the colors or the polarization of the light.
6 :: Do you use any actions or special programs?
I use three sets of actions. Totally Rad Actions (mostly Oh Snap!, Pro Retouch, and Super Old Skool), Kevin Kubota (I own all his packs, but I mostly use Daily Multi Vitamin, x process combo, Vignette, Magic Sharp, and Vibrant Glow), and KJImages’ Outdoor Pack (mostly the Boring Old B&W and Sepia). Most of the time I run these actions and then go back and tweak them or lower the opacity. I also use the Art History brush in Photoshop A LOT.
7 :: What albums and album design software do you use?
I use Yervant’s PageGallery software for album design. It is template based and incredibly easy to use. I highly recommend it! For albums, I mostly use Forbeyon, but we also order the occasional GraphiStudio and Asukabook, as well. I also use Blurb and WHCC for personal albums or for vendor gifts.
8 :: Do you need any assistants or second shooters?
Not right now. I have a handful of second shooters and assistants that I LOVE and work really well with. However, when I do need a little extra help, I usually go to Flickr’s Starting a Wedding Photography Business group or TexasPhotoForum.com. I typically only accept assistants or second shooters who also shoot Canon. Sorry, Nikon folks!
9 :: Have you had any formal training?
Not really. I took a few classes in college, but they were very low level. Most of what I know I learned on my own from reading books (I recommend Scott Kelby’s books), websites, and blogs, and working with photographers whose work I admire. I also shoot a LOT, which I think is the number one way to learn. The more you shoot, the better you’ll get, that’s all there is to it! I also force myself to shoot in Manual mode as much as possible.
10 :: ow do I reduce glare off chrome, water, etc.?
Try a polarizing filter, also called a polarizer. If you have an SLR which uses phase detection for autofocus (most do), then you'll need to get a circular polarizer to avoid conflicts with your autofocus mechanism. I haven't tried it myself, but a circular polarizer probably is not necessary with non-SLR digital cameras.