New Model Shots - DPChallenge Forums

07/27/2002 12:10:11 PM · #1

Peeples ...

Well, I just finished working with the pictures from the 3rd model I have had the pleasure of working with: Hannah.

I''m happy to share them on here -- for anyone interested, they can be viewed at :
THIS SITE

Edited Link ..

.
.
.

* This message has been edited by the author on 7/27/2002 12:26:13 PM.

albright1

Canon PowerShot A10

07/27/2002 12:26:43 PM · #2

Magnetic, it's an error message....

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

07/27/2002 12:27:30 PM · #3

'tanks for da headsup, albright1 : )

puppet10

Canon Digital IXUS

07/27/2002 12:28:32 PM · #4

Without the comma :>

KarenB

Canon EOS-70D

07/27/2002 01:37:21 PM · #5

Kollin: Nice work... per usual!

07/27/2002 02:16:00 PM · #6

I decided to add some more information here for anyone that doesn't really know my history with photography or anything like that : ). . .

Basically, I got a job as a web designer a couple years ago. As a side benefit part of the job was doing object photography for the web sites I'd design: museum artifacts of various types.

My history with photography before that had been dabbling with various film cameras, home video, and point and shoot digital cameras, like at work and such.

I'd done some underwater stuff I was happy with but this was my first direct encounter with the possibilities offered by a good digital.

Over the past couple years, I started getting more and more into it, and it seemed to hold more and more promise and opportunity.

Then in my February, I finally decided to buy my first digital camera. I did a LOT of research, and for a variety of factors I'd be totally delighted to discuss, I bought an Olympus E-10. Powershot G2, Oly 4040z, and Sony F707 were also all serious contenders.

Since I bought the camera, I've been trying to figure out how to make a freelancing thing work. I've been reading a lot. I'm discovering the universe of photography websites. I've made connections through a site that acts as an exchange for photographers and would be fashion models and done a couple of exchanges with models, the 3rd of which I just posted about : ) Hannah was a British student who contacted me through the site (onemodelplace.com) who happens to come to this area in the summer. Christina also met through the site. Her, I paid, but I think it was worth it. Brandie, was also a TFP exchange....

I'm constantly strapped for time between fulltime job and other shtuffs, but basically trying to build my portfolio and learn at the same time and learn how to sell myself in this business, and hopefully create some things of enough quality that I could maybe start getting actual work ; ) ...

Anyway, that's the back story ....

TerryGee

Canon EOS-30D

07/27/2002 02:38:47 PM · #7

Hey if you figure out how to do the freelance thing could you let me know. That is my dream. I have always loved photogaphy and now with digital I am totally hooked. I bought my first digital about 2 years ago(now my kids use that one) and recently bought the Minolta and a Sony (one is never enough).
I am hoping to do portrait or head shot photography for children. I did get paid to do a wedding for a friend, weddings are stressful though.
Any pointers in making that a reality, feel free to let me know.

* This message has been edited by an administrator on 7/27/2002 5:14:04 PM - bad html.

MrsKro

07/27/2002 03:12:48 PM · #8

Self-promotion and advertisement of your website. Do you have business cards? Place ads in newspapers...leave your card with modeling agencies, on bulletin boards at local colleges...

and if it works...let me know. I've been wanting to start a freelance graphic design business. (just logos, brochures and stuff) I'd like to know how to get that going too.

07/27/2002 08:08:30 PM · #9

I have created the web site. I am populating the portfolio of work...

It seems logical that the next step is to show that portfolio to the appropriate individuals.

I have started subdividing my best shots into categories like 'Fashion' and 'Product' and 'Portrait/Family' and then printing them up on photo quality paper. I was surprised at the quality of the prints from the HP990cse.

I also did a slight amount of shopping for photo portfolio books and decided to try a 3 ring book that takes 8.5 x 11 shots, and can be loaded with archival transparent mylar sleeves.

So the plan is to put these together and then try to make some appointments with photobuyers/editors and art directors responsible for putting together the catalogs of department stores, clothing brands, product catalogs, etc.

I definitely need to move ahead on the business cards. I got some label stock and designed a cool card, but the hassle of setting up a card template in photoshop has sort of stalled me out on this. Anyone have any good suggestions - either a program, or maybe I should go to kinko's .. ?

I'm also reading some book on strategies for becoming successful in stock photography. the main thing the author stresses is moving away from exquisitely rendered cliches and arty shots and focus on specialized niche areas that are in constant demand by publications that are about those topics.

But anyway, how do the pics look, how does the website look? Sucks? Worth a second look? Excellent? Gimme some feedback, please : ) >....

Agamemnon

Olympus C-700UZ

07/27/2002 08:36:46 PM · #10

- Website Feedback -

//photo.mysteriousarts.net I think as an opening page for me. this make a great first impression. However my concern is that while I know what I am entering not everyone who sees the page will. If this is going to be the cover page for your work I suggest that you replace ''Christina experience the wonderment'' with some sort of title connected to you and work work. ''Something...Photography and Imaging'' would do in the same location.

/index1.html I would suggest that you take this page out. Your cover page should move directly into an area that has options, rather than just another cover page.

/index2.html You may want to remove as many of the small buttons as possible, as they add clutter. One thing I notice about most professional/artist websites is that they are built very clean. The ''Want evcen More Pictures'' link near the bottom should be removed and included as a link in the navigation bar at the side (that has all your other links) under general gallery.

Other Notes The off purple near the top left of your product page should be black IMO, the current color seem off and does not match the other pages in the same area.

Overall I think you have a really well built site here, your cover image being the big catch for me. I think it acts very well as an attention getter. Anyway, I had to be extremely picky to say bad things about it... hoping that would be more useful. Looks nice, hope my feedback is not completely useless.

* This message has been edited by the author on 7/27/2002 8:36:36 PM.

mci

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/27/2002 09:00:01 PM · #11

Originally posted by KDJohnson:
and if it works...let me know. I've been wanting to start a freelance graphic design business. (just logos, brochures and stuff) I'd like to know how to get that going too.

My number one bit of advice to anyone wishing to try to start their own thing is "don't quit your day job." I ran my own design/development business during 2001 and right now is just not the economic climate for starting something. If you think you've got what it takes, start small and work your ass off in your spare time. Only when you've got a successful client base and a steady stream or work should you ever consider making it a full-time thing.

- Mike

mci

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/27/2002 09:07:27 PM · #12

Originally posted by magnetic9999:
I definitely need to move ahead on the business cards. I got some label stock and designed a cool card, but the hassle of setting up a card template in photoshop has sort of stalled me out on this. Anyone have any good suggestions - either a program, or maybe I should go to kinko's .. ?

Check out www.copycraft.com. They offer 300 line screen printing, and it's very nice quality. Their default stock is kromekote gloss, so if you prefer a matte finish it might jack the price, but they offer 1000 full color business cards for $100, which I think is a great deal for the quality. I've used them a few times and have been very pleased.

- Mike

Journey

Canon PowerShot G3

07/27/2002 09:24:34 PM · #13

Magnetic, I pretty much agree with the excellent comments made by Agamemnon. I have a few additional comments, in the nitpicking category:

a) Would like to see all pages in the same color, to enhance branding and unity of the site. Some people do not like dark colors. I didn''t care for the burgundy red, then bright pink and then the rest settles into grey which seems to be the color of the site.
On index2.html you mention Emerging Artist. Was a little confused about this. Is this someone else? If so, why advertise the competition on the site where you solicit business for yourself.
b)Equipment page. It almost seems to be free advertisement for those products. Would just mention what equipment you use with perhaps small images. Do you use Photoshop? If so, would mention that as well. Ditto if you have a good quality printer. Just to show that you have a professional, well-rounded set-up.
c) If you do any retouching, I would mention that as well under Products.

Mmmm, don''t say Do you EVEN want to see more pictures. That makes it sound as if a viewer who wants to see more is very demanding. Whereas in reality you really hope that the viewer wants to see more and more and more of your stuff. Since you are putting a great hardcopy portfolio together you might wish to mention somewhere that you have such a portfolio.It sounds professional and of great interest to any viewing agency that is in your vicinity.

About business cards, I suggest the Kinko route and the cheapest you can get (only in two colors). After a little while or after a few assignments, you very likely want to change your business cards to update them based on actual experiences. So, don''t go out on a limb with expensive business cards upfront.

* This message has been edited by the author on 7/27/2002 9:29:38 PM.