John Harrington-WHAT WE USE - Introduction

Thursday, January 24, 2008

One of the things that happens often, is friends and colleagues ask what equipment we use, how we pack it, travel with it, and so forth. Further, with interns coming and going (40+, to date), it was a frequent occurrence that I was training and explaining to them what we use, and how we use it. So, during what was our slow period around the holidays, we ramped up and produced a series of videos. All together, they total 1 hour, 49 minutes, and took a month to produce, from production meetings to finishing editing - much more than I had expected to commit, but none-the-less it was a worthwhile endeavor. I've been collecting video for some time, from shoots and setup images, and so I've combined related video from those to an explanation of each case. I was inspired by Chase Jarvis' similar series, and am pleased with my results.

Below is the introduction, and I have transcribed every segment, and, there are links to every piece of equipment we could find on either Adorama, Amazon, or, B&H, in case you're looking for that tool yourself.

Here is the video introduction to all 32 segments, giving you an overview of the work we do using the equipment. Let me know what you think!

Hi, I’m John Harrington and we’re going to break out and break down the wide variety of equipment we use to deliver images to our clients. From traveling light through the capital, to air to ground work, to air to air work, from airports to clean rooms, from recording studios to inaugurations. You’ll get to see all of the equipment we use to make these images happen. We’re headquartered in the nation’s capital and it’s our gateway to the world.

Before I pull out the gear I should probably tell you a little bit about me. I’ve been making images for about 20 years, from impeachment hearings and Supreme Court inaugurations to annual reports, to the white house, I’ve served as an official photographer to folks like the Rolling Stones and Liz Taylor. I’ve produced commercial and advertising work for the likes of Lockheed Martin to Coca Cola, from XM satellite radio to General Motors.

I’ve probably traveled to every state. Among them Alaska, Arizona, and trips to Cuba and Prague for editorial assignments. Wherever we go, it’s the need for gear that means we’re traveling on business. To that end, we make sure we have the right gear for the right job and that invariably changes. It’s critical too that our gear get into the aircraft, make the connection, and it survives the luggage handlers… and that’s a challenge.

So let’s show you what we use, why we use it, and more importantly, how we keep it organized for the load and go day trip to the air cargo drop off. These video are just as much for our newly minded staff, insights and “how to’s” for our new interns, and a response to other photographers who ask what we use and how we pack it.

Lastly on the occasion that a client asks why it costs so much to produce an image for a specific shoot, because “Its just one portrait” they say, we can share with them this video so they too can understand what it takes to make “Just one picture”.
So here we go. Next up we’ll go over the various lighting tools we use for assignments. From our portable, battery powered Hensel Porty’s, to our Hensel Vela’s and our Hensel Tria kits. To our Rololights and why we use each. One nice thing about being standardized to Hensel is we have one series of speed rings, grid spot connectors, and so forth.

Since every job is different, we want to have our gear segmented out and in their own cases, so we can bring what we need and just what we need. Further, every case is labeled with our contact information in case an absent minded assistant leaves something behind. Also, because gear can break down, every system is labeled with a number so we can know which unit it is. This way when something goes down, you know which one needs to be set aside. Each kit is different and serves a very specific purpose.

So let’s take a look.

Introduction of The What We Use Video Series
Individual Segments:
Softbox & Light Modifier Kit  |||  Lighting Stands Case  |||  Primary Hensel Vela Lighting Kit  |||  Rololights Continuous Source Lighting  |||  Rololights Lighting Stands Kit  |||  Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Kit  |||  Nikon D3 Kit  |||  Jacobsen Sound Blimp Kit  |||  California Sunbounce Lighting Reflector  |||  Gels & Gelly Rolls  |||  Lowel DP Hotlight Kit  |||  Lowel Omni & Tota Hotlight Kit  |||  Macbook Pro Laptop Kit  |||  Hensel Porty Bi-Tube Kit  |||  Hensel Porty Kit  |||  Hensel Porty Ringlight Kit  |||  Hensel Tria 1500 Kit  |||  Hensel Tria 3000 Kit  |||  Hensel Vela Add-On Kit  |||  Cord Kit  |||  Kenyon Gyro Kit  |||  Reviewing Kit  |||  Photo Equipment Carts  |||  Photo Equipment Cases  |||  Computers & Monitors - Travel Kit  |||  Fog Machine  |||  Hasselblad Kit  |||  White Lightning Lighting Kit  |||  Video Kit  |||  Audio Entertainment Kit  |||  Audio Sound Kit  |||  Sandbags  |||  Stands

John, This is an incredible visual document. Great work. Only one comment beyond the superlatives: You talk about all of the locations you've shot on, from all 50 states to Cuba and "Prague." The photo you showed to illustrate Prague is actually the Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary Keep up the good work. Mark Milstein

John, this is fantastic. I'm only through the first few -- very informative, interesting to see. Thanks! By the way, what are the little bags that you keep the scissor clamps in? Those things look handy. Thanks again.

John: Very cool. Great job. What happened to a couple of Leicas and a brick of Tri-X?! PF

John, it would be great to have this in podcast or downloadable form so I could watch your videos on my iPhone! You are one hell of a resource for all of us, my friend. Best regards, and thanks.

This is fantastic and valuable information! Downloadable versions would be great too. Thanks for sharing!

What a great resource! Thanks for sharing all the great work with us!

Great presentation. One word tho, Separation is spelled wrong on your show. Other than that everything is superb! Mike H.

This is great John. I've learned much more than I could have imagined, with such a small commitment of time. You're the man! I will be in touch.

Nice. Simply a nice series. Thanks a lot. I really like your sites. You share with us really valuable information.

John, GREAT series! Thank you. Ditto the request for podcast versions though. These would be even better on an iDevice. Ken

These videos are great, especially for a photographer like me, just starting out. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise. Heather

John - Thanks for putting this together. This is a great way to ramp up on what works in a professional environment. I would love to see more videos if you have time to shoot them. Jason

John, These videos are excellent. The only thing I didn't like about them is I wanted to buy everything you were showing and I don't have the money!!! Thanks for creating these. I am very small, part time free lancer, just starting out. I don't get to see much in the way of professional equipment around here.

Thank You so much. I am a young guy that wants to start a career in photography and I have so many questions I am going to watch all these videos 100's of times till I take in everything. Thanks.

Interesting to know what they are using.

looking sweet, great job.

Could you please explain me the meaning of 'IPCC'

very interesting post!!

were you employed as a full time photographer at GM? or as a freelance?

pretty impressive portfolio

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