What does a production company look for in behind-the-scenes photos?
On a film set, a photographer’s work goes far beyond capturing nice moments to remember. Today, with Ade, we look at a key question for any film and video professional: what does a production company or creator really look for in photos from a shoot?
The short answer is: naturalness and usefulness. But to understand it, we need to tell apart the two main pillars of photography in film.
Making-of vs stills: they are not the same
They are often confused, but their aims are radically different:
- Making-of: the visual chronicle of the shoot. What matters here is essence and reality. We want to see the crew in action, the effort behind every shot and the real atmosphere during the production. It is the material that humanises the project and connects with the audience.
- Stills: the mirror of the final result. These are images designed for promotion, posters and the press. They must share the same look, lighting and story as the film itself. In essence, they are cinema frozen in a single frame.
Beyond promotion, Ade reminds us that photography on set is an essential working tool for the technical departments:
- Script and continuity: to make sure every element (hand position, the level in a glass, a hairstyle) stays identical between takes.
- Art and costume: as a visual reference for later set-ups or reshoots.
