Join me as I reveal all the secrets behind successfully capturing 40 professional athletes in 8 lighting setups in just 10 minutes each! I’m going to share with you the strategies that I use in high-pressure commercial photography situations to always keep the shoot on track and to maintain my calm no matter what happens. My hope is that these examples from a recent basketball trading card photoshoot will help you make it through whatever life throws at you on set, wether you’re a family photographer or an advertising photographer!

There’s a saying I’m sure you’ve heard “if something can go wrong, it will go wrong.” As photographers, we're no strangers to the unpredictable — whether it's a late subject, gear hiccups, weather or our clients styling. Being a photographer isn't just about capturing moments; it's about mastering the art of problem-solving. Now, picture this scenario: your client entrusts you with the task of photographing 40 professional athletes and you only have 10 minutes with each player. The challenge intensifies as you navigate through multiple poses, various lighting setups, and the stringent demand for perfection. As you can imagine, failure is not an option. This daunting feat has been my reality year after year, and the key to my success lies in anticipating every conceivable problem, adapting swiftly to unforeseen challenges, and always having a reliable backup plan.


Click here for a full list of all the gear I use in the studio - https://shop.howl.me/JohnGress

If you liked this video you might also like learning from me on my members only platform, The Academy with John Gress https://johngress.com/academy/

set.a.light 3D Software https://www.elixxier.com/en/#v2=62cde...
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Assisting me on this shoot is:   / anthonytoglife   and    / @anthonytoglife  

Gear used during the shoot

Canon EOS R5
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWpm8UM
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vPGmeb
B&H https://bhpho.to/3VbPdUw

Canon BG-R10
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWADdkp
Amazon https://amzn.to/2OUmRQY
B&H https://bhpho.to/3niVtNI

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWYcCHb
Amazon https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm
B&H https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na

Elinchrom FIVE
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmUpjV1
Amazon https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ

Elinchrom ELC Pro HD 500 monolight
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmNwUld
Amazon https://amzn.to/3rPBOmL
B&H https://bhpho.to/3HkLr5E

Elinchrom ELC 500 Studio Monolight
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmb4t6R
Amazon https://amzn.to/2PzMLGP
B&H https://bhpho.to/3oJXVx7

Elinchrom ONE
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmxwjA4
Amazon https://amzn.to/3pbNkvm
B&H https://bhpho.to/3VdWeUY

Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Strip Softbox (13 x 69”)
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnml5FQG0
Amazon https://amzn.to/33NTasn
B&H https://bhpho.to/44b7B43

Elinchrom Rotalux 150cm Indirect Softbox
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmBqePP
Amazon https://amzn.to/44uSXVl
B&H https://bhpho.to/3M3NKwR

Elinchrom Rotalux Deep Octabox (70cm / 27.5”)
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnv9WSyB2
Amazon https://amzn.to/3IxitgV
B&hhttps://bhpho.to/3AIN1uy

Elinchrom Rotalux Stripbox 35x90cm
Adorana https://howl.me/cjCnv9oDSZ6
Amazon https://amzn.to/3nUwD3M
B&H https://bhpho.to/40PXZbZ

Elinchrom Skyport Transmitter Pro - Canon Version
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnv9bHPJN
Amazon https://amzn.to/3rPCubN
B&H https://bhpho.to/3nmfGlN

Tether Tools TetherPro Right Angle Adapter USB 3.0 to USB-C Pigtail Cable, 20", Orange
Adorama https://howl.me/cjFnO8ODuMQ
Amazon https://amzn.to/3lo6gj4

TetherPro USB-C to USB Female Adapter (Extender), 15' (4.6m) (High-Visibility Orange)
Adorama https://howl.me/cjFnQCwSGnF
Amazon https://amzn.to/33Eeca8

Westcott 6x6' Scrim Jim Cine Kit
Adorama https://howl.me/clygAWB3ABk
Amazon https://amzn.to/4bAQOeH
B&H https://bhpho.to/3HHZpOT

This video was shot with a

Canon Cinema EOS C70
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWADdkp
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vkvy7X
B&H https://bhpho.to/44dCV23

&

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0
Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWOwhRU
Amazon https://amzn.to/3vkEWbE
B&H https://bhpho.to/426bKEM

Evoto https://bit.ly/EvotoJohn01

Topaz Photo AI https://www.topazlabs.com

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:35 - First Trading Card Shoot
03:00 - Pocket Wizards
04:12 - Elinchrom Mobile App
04:39 - The Overall Stategy This Year
05:25 - Flash Duration
06:21 - Sekonic 858
06:57 - No Diffusion
09:28 - Breaking down the lighting
09:40 - Look 1
12:35 - Look 2
14:02 - Look 3
14:52 - Look 4
15:49 - Look 5
15:60 - Look 6
16:56 - Tether Tools Cables
18:09 - Look 7
19:07 - Look 8
20:06 - Adjustments in the Elicnhrom Mobile App
20:49 - Catching Mistakes
21:54 - Camaraderie
22:34 - Working with Art Directors
24:03 - Gear
24:16 - Reserve Heads
25:43 - Extra Triggers
26:07 - Battery Power
26:37 - Sand Bags
27:42 - Evoto AI
28:05 - Midjourney
28:32 - Topaz Photo AI
29:10 - Gray vs. Chroma Key?
29:48 - Conclusion