Someone wants me to shoot her!!!

10/28/2005 09:09:39 AM · #1

OK, I'm nervous just thinking about it. My photography has always been just for fun. Yes, I do want to branch out and do it for supplemental income, but it's also frightening to think about. A girl I once worked with has seen my photos of my wife (pregnancy images) and wants me to take some of her. I think I'm going to agree to do it, but I have no equipment to do portraits. I've always just made do with what I have (a decent camera with a marginal lens and a halogen work light). I know there was a thread last week about shooting pregnancy images, but I would like some advice also. Also I would like some advice on shooting. She's a rather dark skinned African American so I know the lighting will be different than what I'm accustomed to. Any advice on lighting, props, techniques, what she should wear, nudes(?), how much to charge, etc would be greatly appreciated.

strangeghost

Canon EOS-7D

10/28/2005 09:15:32 AM · #2

Relax Palmetto, she wants you to shoot her, not your camera, lens or lights. She saw your shots, she likes the photographer. I doubt that she cares about the camera. Use what you've got, use natural and available light where possible, and be creative. Be in control, be a photographer!

10/28/2005 09:16:12 AM · #3

I saw this lady speak at a seminar, she is very good! Abbey of London You might find some inspiration on her site.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/28/2005 09:20:50 AM · #4

Great link! Thanks Cindi.

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/28/2005 09:23:09 AM · #5

Originally posted by strangeghost:

Well said! I would try for natural light. I guess it depends where both you and her would like to take the photos if that is available.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

10/28/2005 09:24:02 AM · #6

No problem, Lee. Good luck with your shoot, have fun, try interesting angles, be silly. You'll do great! :)

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

10/28/2005 09:32:26 AM · #7

That's awesome! Relax, she just wants photos like the ones you did of your wife. Just be honest & relaxed that the gear you have is the gear you have. You used it to shoot your wife, so it'll be the same for her. I think it's a great start & you'll do wonderfully! I'm glad for you, three cheers!

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/28/2005 09:32:42 AM · #8

Take a look in JPochard's portfolio. She did some really nice prego shots with only natural light from a window and talked about them in this thread. Best of luck.

10/28/2005 10:01:19 AM · #9

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys!

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Just be honest & relaxed that the gear you have is the gear you have. You used it to shoot your wife, so it'll be the same for her.

I guess my biggest concern is the skin tones. I've never shot an African American so I don't know how the lighting is going to respond to her skin. I have a few ideas in mind using natural light and my halogen work light. Does anyone have any input on shooting dark skin tones? I guess I'll probably use a lot of white accents to give a nice contrast, but this may create problems too.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/28/2005 10:35:41 AM · #10

OK, I just got off the phone with her... 3:00 PM tommorrow afternoon! YIKES!!!! I told her to bring a white button-down shirt and some loose fitting white drawstring pants. I'll probably get some white sheer fabric. Other suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

carlos

Canon EOS-50D

10/28/2005 10:36:45 AM · #11

Originally posted by strangeghost:

WOW. Great advice!!! one of the best I've read 'round here in a (long) while!!

magnus

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

10/28/2005 10:59:37 AM · #12

I was in a similar situation a month ago. I did a model-shoot of a young Sudanese woman, having only shot white folk before. I too was nervous that the skin color would be a problem for me, throwing off the exposure and contrast. It turned out that it really was no big deal. I used two Canon flashes (one on-camera and on off), white backgrounds and reflectors (white foam-core from an art supply store works great for both), and some outdoors shots. But you don't need flash lighting to do good portraits or nudes. Worklights or any other strong hot-light can work great when paired with a reflector. If you are going for B&W, you can also mix hot-light and daylight very effectively. And at least in my limited experience, shooting in auto-exposure mode worked fine with the very dark skin color. Finally, if you don't already shoot in RAW, this would be good time to try it out since it really gives you more leeway in adjusting exposure and contrast after the fact.

Writing about this reminds me that I've got to get around to posting the results of my shoot here for feedback! This is the one shot I've already posted

Good luck, and above all, have fun!

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

10/28/2005 11:19:08 AM · #13

Originally posted by magnus:

I do shoot in RAW always. Unfortunately I do not have anything but an on-board flash and kit lens (yuck), but I scheduled the shoot for a time when the natural lighting in the room I plan to use for the shoot will be very bright (room faces west, shoot at 3:00). Thanks for the advice on the reflector, I'll go pick up some foam board today!!! I love your shot! It turned out very nicely!

Beach_mel

Nikon D70s

10/28/2005 11:48:56 AM · #14

These are all natural light at her house with a non DSLR (not that they are amazing or anything) but just so you can see it can be done.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/28/2005 12:16:28 PM · #15

Originally posted by Beach_mel:

(not that they are amazing or anything)

Are you kidding? Those are great! Some great ideas for poses I hadn't considered!

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

10/28/2005 12:17:59 PM · #16

In general, using white clothing on very dark sking is just asking for contrast problems... Seems to me you're making it harder on yourself. Could be sweet if it works, of course. Be sure to shoot alternatives in case it doesn't, and bracket like crazy.

R.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/28/2005 12:25:16 PM · #17

I guess shooting in RAW doesn't make this as hard, but recall (as I'm sure you've realized) those halogen work lamps throw off a wicked yellow light. I use them all the time and sometimes forget to white balance. (Of course I don't shoot RAW so I have to do it beforehand)

Natural windowlight to a side can give some great effect.

rscorp

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/28/2005 12:31:21 PM · #18

I was just about to comment on your clothing choice until I saw bear's post....so now I'll just agree.

If she's very dark skinned, and you told her to wear white, it's going to throw your camera into a fit. You can do it, it will just be difficult. Have her bring some other colors that won't be 50 stops away from her skin color....navy blues, greens, crimson, etc. That way if the white proves to be too difficult you can have her switch.

10/28/2005 12:33:19 PM · #19

Jewel tones look great on dark skin, ruby, emerald, sapphire, etc. You might pick up some inexpensive cloth from a fabric store in some of these colors to use as draping :)

10/28/2005 12:57:41 PM · #20

Originally posted by bear_music:

Yeah, that was my biggest concern. I'm hoping that by shooting black and white I'll get the "look" I'm going for (high contrast without blown highlights) Pretty scary to think about trying, but I'm hoping!

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

those halogen work lamps throw off a wicked yellow light.

That's my biggest problem with those lights. I normally adjust for it in post, and shooting in RAW really helps a lot. Do you have any suggestions for better (cheap) lighting options?

Originally posted by idnic:

Jewel tones look great on dark skin, ruby, emerald, sapphire, etc. You might pick up some inexpensive cloth from a fabric store in some of these colors to use as draping :)

GREAT IDEA!!! I'll pick some up when I get the sheers.

Message edited by author 2005-10-28 12:58:13.

10/29/2005 05:03:58 PM · #21

OK, just finished with the shoot. It went really well!!! Geesh, what a relief. The skin tones were VERY difficult to work with against the white, but I think I have some decent shots... Off to process we go. I'll post some as I get them. Thanks again for all the advice!!!