Three harrowing tales of shoots that were saved by ingenuity, quick thinking and a little luck.

Few cauldrons burn as fiercely as a studio shoot, fueled by sky-high client expectations, impatient art directors and intense deadlines. From within this crucible, some of the world’s most extraordinary photography has been created.

Yet even the finest of plans can shift subtly and go awry in an instant. How does one overcome adversity within the studio? Moreover, how does one transform an unraveling shoot into a great success?

Perhaps the key is to think of the studio as a laboratory. Photography could be called the greatest amalgam of pure science...