This past spring I was talking to my photo instructor ,who had more experience than me of course, said he always took a small latter with him on a shoot to get that extra hight you sometime need. Then another photographer agreed with him that he did the same. I was wondering how many photographers do that or thought of that? If you do, what kind of latter or step latter do you find the most useful?

By the way my instructor is Bob Blackwell. He is a great photographer and you should check out his stuff.
Bob Blackwell

Shane,


I've been known to bring a step ladder like this.

Generally I don't fly with one. I just go to Home Depot and pick one up. If the site that I am at doesn't have one I will use the Home Depot one. I then leave it at the site to use for the next photographer to use. If the site does have one then I just return the one I purchased.

-Bill

I take a small step stool...I need all the help I can get, being only 5'2".

Nope. I just hold my brand new D300's up high using the live view, and know what I'm getting. I might grab a chair if I need something, but I've never taken a ladder. I really don't need one more thing to carry.

I take a small step stool for formals. I use it for several things. Sometimes I am standing on it, sometimes the groom is putting one foot up on it and leaning forward, and sometimes the bride is sitting on it. I don't take it to the reception.

Wow, that helps. Thank you all.

That's a handy option to have live view. I really never thought that of it as useful for DSLRs but I guess that is one of those things you don't know you need until you need it.

Oh, and sorry. "ladder", "ladder", "ladder"! I'm not a very good speller. That one snuck but spell check.

Well I'm 6'6", i use the live view on my Canon Mark III quite often, even still I bring a step ladder with me. 6' or 8' but it something I discuss with my couples first. I always ask if they want one of those high angle group shots. I don't know about Nikons screen cause, well I don't know anything about Nikon and why should I when Canon Mark III is so awesome (just a jab at the Nikon heads out there ) The screen on my III has been very useful at arms length down low when a bush or wall is in the way also. That live view sure has come in handy, Canon or Nikon.

Whether it's a chair or a ladder...be careful! Two weeks ago I fell off a chair & broke my elbow while the bride was putting on her wedding dress. I made it 1 1/2 hrs later shooting & then my associate took over the reception so I could go to the E.R.

Show off...

I have a small one step flat folding plastic stool from BB&B that is easy to pack, and a larger one that does not fold flat but gets me up a little higher. Lightweight and like $13 for the small and $17 for the large one.
Can't tell you how many times the small one got me just high enough in a crowd to get a great shot, especially in NYC at parades, any sort of event on the street and the rockefeller center summer concerts.

yes, I take a ladder. I so almost fallen off a million times too. I can't imagine shooting with a broken elbow. What a nightmare!!!!! I will definitly be more careful. Minus the pain and missed work, I have the crappiest health ins. ever.

I have the PERFECT solution: http://www.adorama.com/ZZLK.html?sid=1212613136371370

I've had it for a few years now and it is totally solid. It rolls incredibly smoothly and is perfect. It's also great for inside the studio and home when you need a couple of extra feet.

We have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-2-Step-Fo.../dp/B00009YUI8/

The nice thing about it is that it's relatively small and when you close it up, it stays balanced by itself, so you don't have to lean it against something. It's very lightweight, yet sturdy. That one that doubles as a dolly is pretty nifty though!