Of course the first thing I would never want to be without on a shoot is a Gripvan but I think that’s the Desert Island Discs equivalent of having your entire record collection and reading library as your luxury item.
So, assuming all the really important stuff, like cameras and lighting, is taken care of... when forced into working with minimal kit due to travel or budget restrictions what essentials get pride of place in my Grip case?
Gripvan was out in Brighton and Brands Hatch recently on a shoot of the Honda Civic Type R with Beth Wightman Photographer Joe Windsor-Williams.
You only have to look at the reviews we get to know that photographers, assistants, producers and location managers all love Gripvan.
We can always tell you how the vans are filled with equipment, or boast about the neat layout. Up until now though, you'd have to meet us at a shoot, or come to our warehouse to see it in person. Not any more... We're taking Gripvan on tour.
So if you want to find out what all the fuss is about and invite Gripvan to visit your office or studio, just send an email to info@gripvan.com with the subject line "Gripvan Tour" and a couple of dates that would suit you.
24 Hour Photo is a challenge set by Ravensbourne for BA Digital Photography course students.
Sophie Weston and Samantha Wheelwright spent the day on the rooftop of Ravensbourne shooting several different models. Gripvan provided the digital operations suite, along with the numerous clamps and light stands. Sophia tells us more about the hurdles she experienced...
Response to our Aquatech Housing for Phase One 645DF Bodies and IQ backs has been fantastic, it's already one of our most globe-trotting items of kit having recently visted the sunny resorts of Dubai and the Maldives. It's work closer to home has been rather chillier, travelling with photographer Andre Silva from the far reaches of Scotland to the very tip of Cornwall to photograph Scottish surfer Mark Boyde and Devonian big wave surfer Andrew Cotton (on the Jet Ski).
As far as my ten year old is concerned the only use for an iPad is Clash of Clans, FIFA 15, True Skate and Fruit Ninja but I’ve been finding a lot more use for the iPad than gaming or idle surfing on the sofa.
Capture Pilot from Phase One has been no secret for the last five years and Hasselblad’s Phocus mobile wasn’t far behind. Since then I’ve been using both Apps mainly for client playback. As the Apps have become more stable and I gained confidence in the Retina iPad with the release of the fourth generation at the end of 2012 I’ve found over the last 18 months I’m rarely without an iPad close to hand while I’m lighting.
It’s often impractical to walk back and forth from the set to the laptop or monitor when you’re adjusting lighting ‘hands on’. Capture Pilot on the iPad is an invaluable tool that speeds up the lighting process massively. With the added benefit of remote camera control it means you can even carry on working alone when everyone else has disappeared to stand around and drink yet more coffee!
As digital continues to increase the pace of most shoots, it is essential that I can review the images coming in and make immediate adjustments to the lighting without diving in to the mosh pit around the monitor to elbow it out with the Client and Account Handler so I can catch a glimpse of what’s going on.
I like to run two or more iPads on a shoot as you can offer creatives and clients the option to rate images as they are shot on one, whilst using the other for checking lighting, styling and hair/make up. It’s also a great way to show your talent how things are looking without having them step off the set.
I’ve missed the 10x8 Polaroid so much these last few years and though the iPad can't compete with those beautiful colours, in some ways it can be just as useful.
It’s surprising how quickly an iPad can chew through its battery and how long they take to recharge so I recommend always having a charger on set and plugging in whenever possible.
Download Color Cards from Les Herstik or Focus Chart from distant blue and your iPad just gets more and more useful. Not to mention Helios, Sun Seeker and the host of other apps out there, waiting to make our lives easier.
Right now though, I'm getting back to beating my daughter's Fruit Ninja score!
Gripvan only uses the best Photographic Assistants as drivers and crew and Jack Boniface is no exception. Jack had a busy year last year on various Gripvan adventures whilst continuing with his thought provoking, poignant yet playful, personal work.
The Artificial Sun was a project on Blackpool Illuminations with an accompanying exhibition at A Pop Up Gallery at The Old Rock Factory in Deansgate, Blackpool. Completion of the project was made possible through a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign that also gained him a wider network of support and admirers of his work.
Jack 'wanted to illustrate the beauty of each lamp and how each is a direct example of man’s struggle to control and manipulate his environment.' He did so by shooting uprooted illuminations in various generically familiar settings in the surrounding area at the disorientating hour of dusk.
Shooting on large format in sometimes unpredictable environments posed a few logistical and technical hurdles but with some sound advice from Gripvan's Andrew Howe, Jack was able to get the shots he had envisaged.
We really liked the results and have included a few of our favourites but you can take a look at the whole project for yourself here.
Jack will now be working closely with the Arts Council on a project to encourage participation in the arts in the Blackpool and Wyre areas so we wish them every success!
Like many people Gripvan made a New Year's resolution to trim down in 2015, but for us it wasn't from our waistline!
We've noticed that many location shoots suffer from restricted height clearance, meaning kit has to be lugged from an external carpark to set. Gripvan are all about saving time and keeping crews working efficiently, so we set out to solve that problem! Introducing Gripvan 04...
First impressions, it drives fantastically. If your shoot is a long way from London this van will ensure your crew arrive refreshed! Sat Nav, Cruise Control and other driver aids make the journey fly by. Once at the location, reverse sensors and a concealed reverse camera mean that even the tightest parking spaces pose no issues to this, the youngest member of the Gripvan fleet.
GV04 is decked out in Gripvan's recognisable orange livery and is available to hire with crew as part of our mini grip package (perfect for when you're shooting in a multi-story car park), as an additional Location Equipment van, or to deliver specialised kit such as our Phase One Underwater Housing to your shoot.
