Katie - DPChallenge Forums

10/12/2004 12:00:48 PM · #1

A friend's daughter asked me to help her start a modeling portfolio, so we spent a couple of hours last Friday working on some basic shots. This is my second attempt with a model, so I am posting highlights here to get some much needed advice and council from those more experienced than myself. The color and B&W proofs are posted here if you are interested.

These first four images are probably the strongest:

]

The following four are more questionable and may provide more learning opportunities:

Once again, thanks for the inspiration to keep trying and any feedback you may have to offer.

Edit: Removed the less than flattering images with the hope of getting some feedback on those that remain.

Message edited by author 2004-10-12 23:43:52.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/12/2004 12:10:47 PM · #2

I think to critique these shots, we'd first have to know what kind of modelling she wants to do.

THese shots are good, but very Sears-catalogue. Modelling is about emotion and being comfortable with your body - knowing how to move.

She's very attractive, but for portfolio shots she may want something more mature and 'sexy'..not necessarily revealing. A look can be more powerful than a high skirt.

Know what I mean?

P.S. a few of those shots really aren't flattering for her either. Her posture was bad and in the one of her by the water she's hunched forward and looks like she's got a spare tire. Definetly not what a modelling agency would go for.

Message edited by author 2004-10-12 12:12:41.

saintaugust

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

10/12/2004 12:15:50 PM · #3

nice subject.

i like image 3275 the best, the lighting is amazing and very flattering. i think she should be happy with those as well as those looking at them. the shot zoomed closest to her face has a nice balance and composition as well.

riotspyne

Nikon D80

10/12/2004 12:18:43 PM · #4

i agree with goldberry, one with the water is not flattering to her waistline and she looks uncomfortable, straining her back. id like to have seen some more with her in the jacket, not so many smiles and some more that a focused more on the face. thats just my opinion but the quality of the photos are fine. the last one could use some adjusting imo. but what do i know

10/12/2004 12:47:01 PM · #5

Originally posted by riotspyne:

Thanks for catching that! I was probably looking at other aspects of the photo and missed the rather obvious bulge at the waistline.

She does have the smiling look working well, but agree that more looks are needed.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/12/2004 01:02:33 PM · #6

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

I think to critique these shots, we'd first have to know what kind of modelling she wants to do.

Several "agencies" have approached her on campus and asked for a portfolio. None have offered to build a portfolio for a huge sum of money, so at least she hasn't been sucked into that racket.

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

THese shots are good, but very Sears-catalogue. Modelling is about emotion and being comfortable with your body - knowing how to move.

She's very attractive, but for portfolio shots she may want something more mature and 'sexy'..not necessarily revealing. A look can be more powerful than a high skirt.

Know what I mean?

I know exactly what you mean. This was the first time she had done this and I was a bit challenged to get her out of the "just smile" mode. She is expressive and moves well... we just need to get that going in front of the camera.

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

P.S. a few of those shots really aren't flattering for her either. Her posture was bad and in the one of her by the water she's hunched forward and looks like she's got a spare tire. Definetly not what a modelling agency would go for.

Thanks for pointing this out! I have looked at these so much over the last couple of days that I missed some obvious problems. I'll take that photo out of my proofs so nobody else is tempted to use it.

magicshutter

Nikon D70

10/12/2004 02:22:58 PM · #7

This one is great, good angles and a natural look.

I like the composition of this one though I would have been more at her eye level.

again, this one is great too..

The thing with portraits is it doesn't matter what you think you like, it only matters what the person fitting the bill likes.

riotspyne

Nikon D80

10/12/2004 02:29:24 PM · #8

Originally posted by magicshutter:

Let me start by saying I've looked at the photos of some of the commentors, and without naming names I don't think many have a place to critisize you.

im sure you mean me, i may not be able to take great photos, but i know what a good one is

Message edited by author 2004-10-12 14:30:18.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/12/2004 02:35:01 PM · #9

Originally posted by magicshutter:

Let me start by saying I've looked at the photos of some of the commentors, and without naming names I don't think many have a place to critisize you. There are a billion modeling agencies looking for a billion different kinds of models.. as for sears-catalogue type stuff,, why do you think they use it? because people like it. They don't just come up with something that no body likes.. Take your pic, Your artsy stuff (which I prefer) or the stuff people are proven to like.
This one is great, good angles and a natural look.
I like the composition of this one though I would have been more at her eye level.
again, this one is great too..

The thing with portraits is it doesn't matter what you think you like, it only matters what the person fitting the bill likes.

Perhaps those magic shutters could use a cleaning? lol if they weren't for a modelling portfolio I'm sure the comments would have been different.

Agencies ARE most definetly looking for specific things. They pinch the girl's thighs, look her over with a magnifying glass, tell her "your eyes are too small" "your ass is too big" ..
I personally know and have worked with NY models and agencies, I know how gruelling and cruel that biz is. Things not related to DPC I don't put on DPC.

Magicshutter, are you just guessing or have you worked with real models and agencies? Sure sounds like you haven't.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

10/12/2004 02:53:01 PM · #10

Given that was your 2nd "at bat" and her first, I think you have some excellent stuff. They are technically very well done. The photo's are tack sharp, the lighting on most is very good, and the black and white toning looks great to me also.

I think goldberry's critique is accurate for the most part. Some of the shot's aren't as flattering as others (the one's noted). I think a portfolio needs to show a range of shots (sexy, sears, headshots, etc.), so in that regard, I think this is a great start, but some other stuff will also be needed.

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

I think to critique these shots, we'd first have to know what kind of modelling she wants to do.

Then why did you? :)

magicshutter

Nikon D70

10/12/2004 02:58:29 PM · #11

Looks like you took what I said personally. What I was getting at is this, first you need (as has been said) figure out what kind of agency you're looking for. as far as girls with a 'spare tire', there are agencies that specialize in 'larger' women. If you want to get technical, most agencies want headshots. I personally work with 'glamour' style stuff. Some are models and some arn't. you don't have to be a model, a good photographer can make anyone look beautiful by 'helping' them find attractive ways of posing.

Goldberry- I was not condemning you or your talent, but if you think great looking portraiture is only in a model you should think again. The key is to find something beautiful about your subject because technically because of PS7 and the healing tool, you no longer have to be a 'model'... FYI, I don't 'guess'.

i agree that agencies seek certain standards, doesn't mean all of them are the same. if one doesn't like your models style try another. If you have a certain agency you are looking for, find out what they are looking for and work accordingly. My point is, just because you think her 'spare tire' is unflattering, doesn't mean all of us do.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/12/2004 03:00:43 PM · #12

Originally posted by hopper:

'cause he asked :-)

and I think it was clear in my post that my suggestions were particular to a certain type of portfolio..