Outline of duties: Still photographer
PRELIMINARY REMARKS:
The job of the still photographer is a qualification in its own right. The most important task is the production of photos needed for the utilisation, presentation and marketing of a cinematographic work by distributing companies, TV stations and streaming services in the form of printed publications or online media. The stills are supposed to communicate the visual appeal, the stars, the atmosphere, the locations, as well as any action situations, special effects, costumes, décor, and make-up of the film. The artistic achievement in the production of the stills consists in summarising as many of the mentioned aspects as possible in as few as possible striking and emotionally highly effective photographic compositions. The creation of the stills is a creative process during which a specific visual language appropriate for the cinematographic work is developed and implemented. To achieve this, it is essential to recognise suitable scenes of the film / actors or actresses and constellations of actors / locations / sets. In order to be more striking, deviations from the camera perspective are possible, without contradicting the basic nature of the cinematographic work. Stills photography translates selected key scenes from their cinematic temporal course into powerful still visual compositions and snap-shots. This leads to a concentration of the action into a small number of images.
The stills raise the curiosity of the observer without giving away the solution.
Duties of the still photographer
Preparation:
- Familiarisation with the script.
- Agreement with the producer, the director, the press department / TV station with respect to the contents-related and promotional focus.
- Agreement with the DoP regarding the visual approach.
- Compilation and organisation of the necessary equipment for the respective project, as well as its maintenance during production.
Filming:
- Accompanying the filming during days of shooting agreed with the production company.
- Following the blocking rehearsals and the shooting closely.
- Grasping the dramaturgical situations / constellations of the protagonists that are particularly suitable for stills.
- Preparatory agreements with the DoP / chief lighting technician / grip department, as well as the director / assistant director / actors / make-up department / wardrobe department, whose support is indispensable.
- Liaising with the relevant contact person regarding the possibility of taking stills at a suitable time.
- Producing stills using the set / lighting / costumes / make-up of the shooting. This may necessitate an intervention in the staging in order to condense the action for striking, impressive photos.
- Production of photos of the first shootingday as well as behind the scene photos.
Post-production:
- Selection of the best and most effective photos.
- Labelling of the selected images with names of the roles / actors, day of shooting, number of scene, if this is additionally requested by the production company.
- Editing of the image for adequate rendition of the film look.
- If necessary, special editing for optimum representation in print or online.
- Provision of the visual material to the contracting party.
- Transfer of the rights of use at the point of reimbursement.
ADDITIONAL TASKS:
During a film production, additional visual material is often required: portraits, images for posters, key visuals (unique selling point), photos of props, that may be taken outside the film set / lit scenery. This is an additional area of activity for the still photographer if requested by the contracting party. It requires an independent conception and a separate payment appropriate to the scope of work and usage. If more extensive editing (retouching / montage etc.) is necessary or desired, an agreement has to be reached regarding the required effort-related payment.
BVK, December 2017