Model shoot - Mel - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

02/08/2005 05:59:01 PM · #1

A selection of photos from a model shoot I did on Sunday.

Mel is a hairdresser and the manager there wanted a few photos for a
project she is doing, and Mel volunteered to be the model. The lady wanted a vampy look, but we did not really achieve that as Mel wasn't very good at looking fierce, however, I was very pleased with the results we did get.

I had a play around with some back lighting for the hair in a few of these. Unfortunately it was a last minute idea, so only took at few at the end of the shoot, but they ended up being my favourites (the first photo shown being my very favourite).

These also worked really well, I feel, in B&W. I have only posted the colour versions here, but can put up some B&W's if anyone wants to see.

Message edited by author 2005-02-08 18:03:10.

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

02/08/2005 06:05:18 PM · #2

Hey, these are nicely done!

I really like almost everything here...the only thing I notice is that she seems very posed in a few photos, and very awkwardly so when she's showing us her underwear...

I love the lighting and that first shot is really nice!

photomayhem

Canon EOS-10D

02/08/2005 06:06:22 PM · #3

Natator, what lens did you use and what lighting setup do you have?

parrothead

Canon EOS-40D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

02/08/2005 06:18:16 PM · #4

Great work! I just LOVE simple backdrops, minimal props, and wonderful lighting! Not to mention, a beutiful model helps too. I like them all.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

02/08/2005 06:26:49 PM · #5

Thanks for the quick comments guys :)

A few comments on your comments:

1) Yes, she was not at all relaxed, and I had to work hard getting her to pose. These were the best of them and I agree, the body poses could have looked a lot more natural. She basically lacked the confidence, but I am hoping now she has seen how good she can look she will come and model again and be more relaxed.

2) Yup, I hate the undies showing that way. Unfortunately the other lady, who wanted the shots, wanted that showing and in the end I just did it that way. It was also what added to the model's less than relaxed poses, but this woman would not listen so I just went with the flow. Another reason I am hoping Mel will come and pose again, as then we can do a shoot without interferance.

3) Lens: I used the EFs 17-85 (I think it is, might be -80). Basically the advanced kit lens with the 20D. I am using that lens a lot in the studio as I need the wide angle, but it allows me to zoom in fast when I need. For instance, none of those photos have been cropped at all. With hindsight, and if I did them again, I would have used my 50mm f1.4 for the head shots ....... but I never seem to even remember that I can change lenses during a shoot *laugh*

4) Backdrops and model: Yup, just plain black, as that is always my favourite. And yup, you can't go badly wrong when you have a beautiful model :)

cbeller

Nikon D300

02/08/2005 06:35:26 PM · #6

Nice work Simon. The back lighting is excellent in the first two...I really like it. Not a fan of the way you were forced to show the undies, but that's been discussed. Makes her look more "trampy" than "vampy", unfortunately.

I think you'll get much better results if you are able reshoot on your own...not that YOU did bad work at all.

P.S. Umm, where did you say she works again? I need a haircut. ;-)

jmlelii

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

02/08/2005 07:14:50 PM · #7

the only thing I dont like, is that her body where the black she is wearing, thers absolutely no contrast. It looks like her body parts are just floating. Something dark works, just not black. Need a little contrast there I think.

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

02/08/2005 07:18:33 PM · #8

Beautiful job. I like her poses but especially like your lighting setup. Beautifully done.

theodor38

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/08/2005 08:48:30 PM · #9

what was your lighting.. i always have terrible time with black background. some parts (edges) of the subject always seems to blend in with the background. even though i like it most times. i can never achieve the effect you have done with these wonderfull shots..

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/09/2005 02:20:04 AM · #10

Yeah, she does rather float, partly as what she was wearing was jet black. Probably needing something a little "less black".

Yup Theodor, I always struggle with black backs as well, which is a shame as I really love using them above all others.

I am thinking though of having a play in the future, though not for DPC, with a chromakey backgtound ... see the following thread for a little discussion on that:

//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=171260

The lighting was mostly trial and error Joanns ... but this time ended in less error than usual *laugh*

slipintoshadows

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

02/09/2005 02:24:09 AM · #11

The first two are the best in my mind... great lighting.

scottwilson

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

02/09/2005 02:51:29 AM · #12

I think the photos are great, fantastic lighting. On my monitor the clothes show up against the background fairly well. I love the collar by the way.

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

02/09/2005 11:01:35 AM · #13

Great lighting for sure. For helping with the seperation, since you have only two lights, (ie the first pic) foamcore or reflector to the models Right shoulder and/or left shoulder to light them up just a bit more.
The Alien Bee Site has some great articles also. This one has some great ideas...including using mirror tile to use to reflect back for a hairlight.

Message edited by author 2005-02-09 11:02:25.