Chip & Jai Shadowing vlog: Graduation Shoot Playbook: Exclusive BTS w/ Stretch Pt 1. Outside (Patreon)

DON'T FORGET , you can also shadow a shoot whenever as long as you're an exclusive member! Wait for the calendar drops and pull up!

NOTES:

• Lens Choice:

  • 105mm f/1.4 used most of the time — clients love the shallow, creamy background.

  • Sometimes wish for 85mm for tighter background + compression without stepping far back.

  • 50mm also works but wasn’t primary here.

• Workflow:

  • “Rinse and repeat” — keep a tested set of go-to poses and lighting setups.

  • Use each location for 15–30 min unless delays force changes.

• Interaction Style:

  • Greet everyone, even family members.

  • Give someone DJ role for music/vibes.

  • Keep conversation going to make clients relaxed.

LIGHTING SETUPS & SETTINGS

Outdoor Bright Sun:

• ISO: 50 (lowest possible on Sony; adjust for Canon/Nikon equivalent).

• Shutter: 1/800 – 1/3200 depending on background brightness.

• Aperture: f/1.4 for bokeh; switch to ~f/2,8–f/5.6 for more detail if client requests.

• High-Speed Sync: Always ON for sunlit shots.

• Modifiers:

  • Beauty dish when windy (more stable than softbox).

  • Softbox with grid for control when wind allows.

• Number of Lights:

  • Usually 2 — Key + Fill (sun often acts as backlight).

  • Backlight added only when space allows or for separation/halo.

Indoor:

• ISO: 50–100

• Shutter: 1/160 – 1/250

• Aperture: f/1.4

• Flash Power: 1/64 – 1/128 for close setups.

• Lighting: Softbox with grid (softer shadows + better control).

• Workflow:

  1. Turn strobes off, expose for ambient/background.

  2. Add strobes gradually until desired fill/separation is achieved.

• Backlight Indoors: Skip if space is too tight.

Special Cases:

• Champagne / Fast Action:

  • Natural light only.

  • Shutter: 1/800+ (depending on sun)

  • Aperture: f/1.4

  • Continuous high-speed burst.

  • Position client toward sun, avoid strobes.

• Smoke Bombs:

  • Same settings as before the smoke — don’t change camera.

  • Get as many poses as possible within 30–60 seconds.

LOCATION-BY-LOCATION FLOW

1. Snake Head Spot

   • Sequence:

     1. Seated poses →

     2. Standing beside snake head →

     3. Power stance.

   • Lighting: 2 lights (Key left, Fill right), sun as backlight.

   • Poses: Leg forward, hand on knee, look away, smile with chin up.

2. Pharmacy Building (Outside & Inside)

   • Goal: Iconic lab shot — locked room forced adaptation.

   • Indoor setup: Softbox + grid, Key & Fill only.

   • Avoided backlight (space issue).

   • Settings: ISO 50, Shutter ~1/160–1/250, f/1.4, Flash 1/64–1/128.

   • Focus: Outfit details (custom pants), avoid distracting shadows.

3. Pharmacy Sign (Outdoor)

   • Bare bulb backlight (slightly underpowered to avoid overpowering sun).

   • Rule-of-thirds composition — subject right, sign left.

   • Settings: ISO 50, Shutter 1/1250–1/1600, f/1.4, Backlight 1/1.

4. Library – 3rd Floor

   • Three-light setup: A (Key) 1/8, B (Fill) 1/32, C (Back) 1/8.

   • Settings: ISO 50, Shutter ~1/800, f/1.4.

   • Notes: Match assistant shooters’ lights to same channel/power for consistency.

5. Flame Spot

   • Placement: Subject on corner ledge, bushes in foreground.

   • Backlight for leg separation.

   • Settings: ISO 50, Shutter ~1/3200, f/1.4, Key 1/1, Back 1/2.

6. Finale (Smoke + Champagne)

   • Smoke Bomb: Keep same previous settings, work through rapid pose sequence.

   • Champagne: Natural light, ISO 50, Shutter ~1/2000, f/1.4, Continuous High+.

   • Coaching: Thumb over champagne lip, shake toward camera, keep face toward lens.