Address common setbacks
Learn how to predict frequently experienced challenges to minimise on-shoot stress.
It is true that the best laid plans rarely solve all problems relating to getting what we want – a notion universally accepted by photographers with experience. Location scouting is an essential step towards ensuring we are as prepared as we can be to capture the best aspects of a site once we arrive, but there are certain factors we simply can’t account for in our planning. Nature is notoriously difficult to predict, hence the requirement for adaptability to weather, but there are other contributors to the success or failure of a photoshoot.
For example, people play a larger role than is perhaps obvious in some genres. Even landscape photography can be impacted on by human factors. Land itself is often owned by an estate or individual, so it is possible to arrive on-location only to discover that a well-photographed scene is actually on private land, which is currently closed to public access. To proceed without permission would be trespassing, so it is always useful to research land ownership before attending, Scouting is greatly helpful in these circumstances – learning of access issues early will allow you time to contact the relevant authorities or individuals to seek permission ahead of your shoot. This highlights the importance of communication in any location scouting process. Regardless of the subject or place you hope to shoot, communicating your intentions can solve many problems, from avoiding unpleasant conflicts to reducing wasted time for greater shoot efficiency, and even improving your chances of a fruitful photography session via insider knowledge provided by people thankful for your openness.
Another human factor is security – some locations may impose access restrictions or prohibit the use of tripods. This may not be clear from websites information pages, especially if there have been recently updated policies, so consider contacting a venue in advance of you scouting trip, to ensure you can spend more time planning your compositions when you arrive. You may even be able to arrange a special pass for photography if you advise site management of your intentions and requirements.
Scouting setbacks are most common when we visit a location or plan a shoot far in advance, or when we are unable to repeatedly visit that location. The latter will always impose greater pressure to capture the images we require, but the key strategy is to adapt your research procedure to your intended location. Alter your visiting times, number of human contacts and advance planning on a venue-specific basis to ensure you collect the information you need.