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11/16/2004 11:09:20 AM · #1 |
A friend has asked me to photograph her for her portofolio. We are both absolute beginners, but are willing to learn. We don't want to spend much money for this first round, so we will probably stick with on camera flash (unless I can get a cord in time) and natural light. Possible locations will probably include outdoor and old romantic resturant.
Any tips from more experienced photographers? :)
Message edited by author 2004-11-16 11:14:30.
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11/16/2004 11:15:29 AM · #2 |
I am not experienced, but the one tip I would give you is to have a whole bunch of poses you want to have her do. I took pictures of my friend's wife and the hardest thing was posing her. I looked at OMP and galleries on PBase for ideas. I even printed out a few so I wouldn't forget. Taking the pictures was the easy part....
Message edited by author 2004-11-16 11:16:07. |
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11/16/2004 11:20:54 AM · #3 |
yeah I did the same as toddhead I took pictures of my screen of poses I found on the internet So I wouldnt forget
you could let the flash bounce off the ceeling or the wall from the side to let it not be as harsh |
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11/16/2004 11:22:18 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by jonr:
A friend has asked me to photograph her for her portofolio. We are both absolute beginners, but are willing to learn. We don't want to spend much money for this first round, so we will probably stick with on camera flash (unless I can get a cord in time) and natural light. Possible locations will probably include outdoor and old romantic resturant.
Any tips from more experienced photographers? :) |
"old romantic restaurant" is code for "dark". And if you don't have proper lighting, even a good external flash, then it might be disastrous. That is, unless there's large windows with lots of natural light. I suggest doing the entire thing outdoors if weather permits and don't use your onboard flash. That's always bad news! lol |
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11/16/2004 11:26:55 AM · #5 |
| I'd start off outside with natural light. You will have enough headache just posing her. Outside on a cloudy day will make for the most natural skin color. Or you can find a shady tree- both a great source of diffused light and a nice prop (leaning w/back, leaning w/ hand on trunk, coming from behind, hands, no hands, hair swishing - excellent prop). I have some pics on my website, PhotoKisses, where I've posed people under a tree. 1st row 3rd pic, 4th row 1,3,4 pic, 5th row 1st pic. |
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11/16/2004 11:28:29 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by jonr:
A friend has asked me to photograph her for her portofolio. We are both absolute beginners, but are willing to learn. We don't want to spend much money for this first round, so we will probably stick with on camera flash (yes, I know, sucky) and natural light. Possible locations will probably include outdoor and old romantic resturant.
Any tips from more experienced photographers? :) |
- First of all, don't use the on camera flash for anything but fill and even then keep it toned down.
- Shoot morning or evening so you have light from the side rather than above. Overcast days are best because shadows will be softer.
- I would also recommend starting outside because the old remantic restaurant sounds dark to me.
- Use a tripod when possible. Nothing is more frustrating than having the perfect shot, but then finding a slight blur in the eyes because of camera movement.
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11/16/2004 11:41:19 AM · #7 |
Great suggestions so far.
I would also make a reflector. If you really have no money, even a piece of white posterboard. Try some shot with her holding it below her so that the natural light is reflected from below. |
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11/17/2004 02:54:31 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by jonr:
A friend has asked me to photograph her for her portofolio. We are both absolute beginners, but are willing to learn. We don't want to spend much money for this first round, so we will probably stick with on camera flash (unless I can get a cord in time) and natural light. Possible locations will probably include outdoor and old romantic resturant.
Any tips from more experienced photographers? :) |
the biggest suggestion I can give is to have fun. try not to be so worried about the posing (easier said that done, i know) but if you worry too much the shots will come out stiff and awkward. Talk a lot during the shoot. It'll help calm you and the model down and some personality can start to enter the shoot. Also, don't go for the traditional stuff. You'd be surprised at what stuff that would ordinarily be considered weird actually works for a model's portfolio. Have fun!
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11/17/2004 02:57:53 PM · #9 |
For my own experience, shooting a lot at the beginning of a shoot helps you relax and the model get comfy with a lens stuck in her face.
BUT, then put more time in to posing her and take less shots: making them count. Taking the time to direct a model well will undoubtly provide better shots in the end. Study up on popular magazines like Vogue, Vanity Fair (my personal fave), etc to get an idea of what great model/portrait shots look like these days. Take clippings if you want.
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11/17/2004 03:11:16 PM · #10 |
| Also... I found that when I said things like "That's gonna look great" or "Hold that pose, it's perfect" it really seemed to relax everything. She was really worried about how she was going to look and telling her how nice I thought a picture was going to be really seemed to relax her... |
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