Need Some Modeling Advice... - DPChallenge Forums

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

09/17/2007 07:08:49 PM · #1

Alrighty, two issues...

This is different for me. I got a message from my friend's friend asking for me to do some headshots for me after seeing my Mother and Son photo. She's a cute girl so the looking good part will be easy but I don't have any studio equptment AT ALL. I'm thinking of doing it outdoors but I'm afraid the lighting might be too harsh. I could do it indoors with ambient lighting but I don't have any backgrounds. I told her they wouldn't be typical posed lifetouch headshots so that gives me a bit of freedom, but I need some ideas for shooting/setting. It won't be 'til nex month so at least I have some time to plan.

My Second issue concerns ME modeling...tomorrow. It will be in a rural setting with the "wardrobe" (aka my closet) being anything from jeans and tee-shirt to a full length black gown. I've never modeled before and while the photographer is just building up his portfolio and is basically an ameture, I don't want to look or act stupid. I was thinking I would just act like a Barbie doll and have him pose me BUT I wanted to know what your favorite/most flattering poses are for models so maybe I could desperately pose in front of the mirror tonight like a ditzy little school girl.

Any advise is much appreciated...ASAP :)

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

09/17/2007 07:34:04 PM · #2

Originally posted by Blue Moon:

Lighting did exist prior to studio equipment =)

Harsh lighting has its uses too but if you're looking for soft and diffused, then try shade - use overhangs, doorways, and windows.

Originally posted by Blue Moon:

My Second issue concerns ME modeling...tomorrow. It will be in a rural setting with the "wardrobe" (aka my closet) being anything from jeans and tee-shirt to a full length black gown. I've never modeled before and while the photographer is just building up his portfolio and is basically an ameture, I don't want to look or act stupid. I was thinking I would just act like a Barbie doll and have him pose me BUT I wanted to know what your favorite/most flattering poses are for models so maybe I could desperately pose in front of the mirror tonight like a ditzy little school girl.

Any advise is much appreciated...ASAP :)

Your photographer needs to work on his concepts =P

It's rural and fall is just around the corner. Expand on that. Understand the surroundings, the clothes, the ambiance, and go with it.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/17/2007 07:37:24 PM · #3

Originally posted by Blue Moon:

maybe I could desperately pose in front of the mirror tonight like a ditzy little school girl.

Whatever you do make sure we get some decent video footage of that. It's only fair - you know giving back to the community, yada yada yada. :)

Best of luck to you on both - I can't see either turning out bad.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/17/2007 07:58:37 PM · #4

I sent you an email

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

09/17/2007 08:00:46 PM · #5

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Originally posted by Blue Moon:
maybe I could desperately pose in front of the mirror tonight like a ditzy little school girl.

Whatever you do make sure we get some decent video footage of that. It's only fair - you know giving back to the community, yada yada yada. :)

Best of luck to you on both - I can't see either turning out bad.

lol, will do. but what are some favorite poses that you like models to do (sans nude...I know what you guys are thinking).
:P

Message edited by author 2007-09-17 20:01:19.

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

09/17/2007 08:27:29 PM · #6

Wear a dress and twirl about in it just for the joy of it. (An almost 8 year-old I know just got a new dress for her piano performance next month and did that last night.)

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

09/18/2007 01:00:28 PM · #7

bump...anyone else? poses...anything??

bdenny

Sony DSC-H5

09/18/2007 01:08:56 PM · #8

Maybe some of these poses? Just don't get your pretty clothes dirty...

eta: that's all the examples I've got but from watching "America's Next Top Model" I've learned it's all in the upper body (arms, shoulders, hands) just move them around a bunch and try to look graceful :)

Message edited by author 2007-09-18 13:11:42.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

09/18/2007 01:09:11 PM · #9

re outdoor portrait lighting. Look for somewhere in bright, open shade. Even better if it is shaded from above, but faces towards a bright sky. Put them out of the sun but near the light.

You could get them to kneel down and look up towards you in that shade, facing towards the sky. You'll get a lot of bright, even illumination and blue sky reflecting in their pupils.

White buildings in full sun make the biggest reflectors you've ever seen. A orange or yellow brick building turns that into a warming reflector - if you use that sort of light it can be beautiful, even at noon in a city. Turn them to one side or another to vary the ratios - move them back and forth towards another wall to vary the fill.

Garages can be good, porches, verandas, anywhere with an overhang and a current of light flowing in. You can do the same with trees, umbrellas etc.

Use your hand as a model in the lighting situation, walk around it, look how the light changes, or get your subject in the light and have them look at you while you walk 360 degrees around them - have them turn to look at you as you go and watch how the light changes on their face.

All found/natural light in a city, no light modifiers, reflectors etc, other than buildings and trees. I probably should do some photoshop on the skin tone, but this is out of the camera pretty much.

Message edited by author 2007-09-18 13:09:48.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

09/18/2007 01:18:44 PM · #10

If you have no lights try shooting from the outside of a doorway, looking in. The given distance that you place the model to the door opening will give you some control over the light. Probably better explained in pictures. A reflector might come in handy.

This model was sitting about three feet in from the doorway...

(Brads edit)

This next image shows the street side of that same location. She was sitting to the left of the frame (facing the street, of course). I shot from about 5-7 feet into the doorway, from the sidewalk...

I rifled off twenty quick shots to see if it would work. It was a quick test session done at a Wine Bar. The light was reflecting off of the buildings across the avenue at around 4PM, Summer light.

A guy named Kevin Major Howard, one of LA's top headshot guys does something exactly like this from his Garage. He places his models just indside the garage and he shoots from about 10-15 feet away, with a reflector or two if necessary.

Message edited by author 2007-09-18 15:55:54.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

09/18/2007 01:19:35 PM · #11

My advice on posing, don't try to learn anything specific in a day. It's like cramming for an exam, all you will remember are the three things you tried to learn and all else will be gone.

The best models I have worked with don't even seem like they are 'posing'. These models can usually go through a long series poses that seem very natural and almost conversational, if that makes any sense. Relate to the camera as though it was a person and relate to your environment as though you are part of it. Find yourself a basic starting point, wait for the click, and then move a bit and wait again. Don't over think each pose.

The hardest part is what to do with your hands, so here are some ideas:
- hang your thumbs, lightly, in your front pockets
- hang your thumbs, lightly, in your back pockets
- cross your arms, but keep your hands exposed
- reach out and touch a tree, fence, or railing
- put your hands our your hips
- (I'll add more when I think of them)
Key thing here, in most cases elbows and wrists are bent a little rather than straight.

Message edited by author 2007-09-18 13:22:22.