What are the technical standards for all shoots?

abbywinters.com technical shoot standards are defined in detail in the training page, Technical assessment areas. This FAQ page is only a summary.

The relevant technical areas, and the minimum standards for shoots are as follows;

  • Lighting
    • Models are clearly illuminated, emphasising their form and texture. Naturalistic in style. Practical lights are present in scenes.
    • Never high-contrast; no hard shadows
    • For excellence: Use the high-key lighting style; mix multiple sources
  • Exposure
    • The available dynamic range is fully used. Secondary effects of exposure controls are managed to the benefit of the abbywinters.com paradigm.
    • Over-exposed background elements are acceptable, so long as models are correctly exposed.
  • White Balance
    • Crisp white whites and true colours, regardless of the colour temperature of the light source
    • Full-spectrum light sources are required to be used
    • Auto-WB function may never be used on shoots.
  • Close-Ups
    • Close and technically proficient, matching other technical standards listed here.
    • For excellence: Extremely close, using a Canon 500D CU adapter (or equivilent), or a macro lens
  • Focus
    • The areas the customer wants to see, are in focus. Typically f8 for the entire shoot.
  • Practical DoF
    • The depth of field allows customers to see what they want to see, at the same time in the same image
    • F8 should be considered a minimum
    • For excellence: f11 for the entire shoot
  • Framing and composition
    • Crop in-camera when shooting, and arranging elements in the frame pleasingly. Show all of the model in full-body shots.
    • For stills, prefer to never be wider than 70mm lens length (for a 35mm frame), 50mm as the absolute widest for “day-to-day” images. Occasional full wide (eg, 24mm) is acceptable.
    • For video, tend not to “chase the action” (set a frame, and let the model move within it).
    • For video, always zoomed fully out wide – never zoom in
    • For video, use “steady shot” always enable function in camera
  • Audio (video only)
    • Clearly recorded audio with a dedicated highly-directional mic that’s monitored during recording.
    • Minimal background sound, and no kids screaming, pet sounds, AC hum, TV sounds, music, or similar.
  • Grooming
    • Models appear neat, clean, healthy and wholesome. Exceptions may be granted on a shoot-by-shoot basis by the WhatsApp Collective.
  • Must-Have shots
    • Essential shots our customers demand are captured to a high technical standard, in every shoot.
  • Additionals (Backstage; AW Ed; Dressing Room).
    • Shoot brief followed, well-captured
  • Clothing selection
    • On-paradigm clothes selected.
  • Setting selection
    • Enhances abbywinters.com paradigm and exposes new aspects of model.