Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/01/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]leo asked: >>> Any words of advice for my first shoot in the OR? Lenses? Moments?<<< Leo, quite simple really. And without knowing what kind of procedure you'll be covering it's rather a shot gun of things. However, not to worry as the head nurse during the operation will certainly give you a run down and she wont be the least bit funny about it, you being a first timer and photographer! Be nice, just don't piss her off or you are out the door! 1/ Don't touch anything nor anyone! Don't go towards the operating table. Period! Unless the surgeon asks you to do so. Even then be extremely careful how close you get and how close you are to everything surrounding the patient and table. Actually stay away from this area completely! If you want pictures reach in with a longer lens, particularly this is your first time. 2/ Before you move in any direction, as simple as you may think the move is.... look 360 degrees around before you move to make sure you are clear to move. And know exactly where you are going ... "do not touch anything!" Move carefully. Don't be looking one way and walking another. 3/ If you feel faint leave the room immediately!!!!!! And sit down out in the hall head between your legs until you feel OK. Faint in the OR and you'll piss everybody off, they'll leave you on the floor until they're finished because they have more important things to look after than an unconscious stupid photographer who didn't have the brains to leave the room first! No mercy shown here, just get out in the hall. 4/ Again without knowing what camera/lenses you have I can only give you this. The widest 15/21 to at least a 200! Lots of film. I never use flash so I can't give you any advice in this case if you feel you need it. However in 40 plus years shooting under all kinds of OR lighting situations about the world I've never used flash for color or B&W. My bet? Leave it out in the hall and forget it. Shoot it all by the light of the room, far less distracting and simple to do. ASA 800 and you should be laughing all the way to the darkroom! And for heaven sake don't get all hung-up on the light, if your using a Leica, particularly an M7 just put it at ASA 800 and AE lock then shoot away with an aperture of 4.0 or 5.6 and let the camera do it's thing. 5/ "Moments?" Well not knowing what your doing in there, as in what operation, I can't be very helpful. However, I assume you're a skilled photographer or A/ you wouldn't be in there in the first place. That's the surgeon's call. B/ If you are, you'll react accordingly to motivating moments that catch your eye. Can't understand what else you'd need but your own visual re-action to the action. Something turns on your visual switch, shoot! it's that simple........ JUST DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING! Lastly. Buy one of my books about the medical profession and 30 seconds you'll see what to and how to shoot it! ;-) Your welcome. :-) ted Ted Grant Photography Limited 1817 Feltham Road Victoria BC V8N 2A4 250-477-2156