Comments on: A Photo Assistant’s Grip Kit

By: Jared Watsabaugh

Jared Watsabaugh — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:55:19 +0000

I have worked with a photographer friend on location many times and having ones own or at least knowing how to use the photographers light meter has proven to be a time saver even with a teathered camera and MacBeth card.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:33:21 +0000

Oh and by the way… don’t go overboard on the gear either. I hired a guy (once) who insisted on taping a garbage bag to his pants (we were working inside a small studio with a perfectly fine garbage can nearby.) That wasn’t the only reason we didn’t work together again, but he definitely took the readiness concept too far.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:26:22 +0000

I’ve hired a lot of assistants over the years. The best ones think on their feet, and more often than not, they bring some of their own stuff to the shoot.
Tim’s post is right on the money. On more than one occasion an assistant I hired had an extra tripod screw adapter, a set of tiny screwdrivers, or a Leatherman that proved indispensable.
Some people take a lot of time offering “advice” for assistants. This usually involves something to do with making coffee, not talking on the cell phone while “on-duty”, and sweeping floors. All that means nothing if the assistant doesn’t take seriously his/her role in the process of making the photographer’s job easier, isn’t 100% ready for the job, and doesn’t possess the ability to think a few steps ahead of the photographer.
Tim’s absolutely has the right idea here. He’s shown that he takes the job seriously and he’s prepared. Those are at least a few of the reasons he’s a busy assistant.

By: David

David — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:59:39 +0000

Yea, I forgot the small metal torpedo level that fits compactly in the pack or belt pouch and some glues like crazy glue and epoxy kits. All cheap and small.
Maybe if you wanted to be really the superhero, have a chip cleaning magnifier, swabs, the chemicals and everything, so that way you can at least show the photographer you have the tools and since the Dig. Tech . isn’t here and we’re loosing light, that you can save the day, assuming the camera body and back are on set.
Also carrie lots of dif. colored types of 1 inch cloth camera tape, black 2 inch, white 2 inch, aluminum foil tape, doublestick, scotch. I carry 3 to 4 rolls of all different types of tape and I use them a lot.

By: David

David — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:50:11 +0000

Yea, eversince i started caring an AC tools in the film business, I kind of carried over to stills when I added that to myjob skills. But I added some other things too, but all in the name of durability, compactness and useability: A Scorpion LED flashlite, voltmeter, set of small flat head and Phillips screrwdriver sets, small hex sets in US and Metric, Leatherman,and a box cutter knife from Sears for slicing long pieces of boxes and paper floor papor for houses with carpeting, (it’ll dull your Leatherman in a NY minute) small scissors (you’d be surprised at how far awawy from set the real scissors are, and having a grip bag on a belt with you at all times will make you Johhnny on the spot and you will begin to be looked to for all kinds things other than scissors. Oh, those little 2 prong to 3 prong adadpters for plugs are life savers. And have plenty of fresh big Sharpies, small Sharpies, and pens that write in all condiditions, prefererably a Space Pen. Writes when its upside down and freezing.

By: Belle

Belle — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:34:20 +0000

Very cool. I also assist on the side, and never thought of bringing my own stuff to shoots.