My first model shoot in a few days...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

09/08/2008 08:38:45 PM · #1

So I am doing a model shoot in a few days for a runway model. But she wants outdoor photos and some head shots. I normally do portraits and head shots inside in my studio.

She wasnt happy with the agency's headshots and wanted something different.

I plan to use my 55-200 lens, my sb-600 flash ( I need a diffuser for it though), and I will bring my reflector (s) with. I also can use my 50mm prime for the head shots. Then I do have my kit 18-55 too.

Any other thoughts on out door shoots? Would evening be a good time to do it? We havent set a firm time yet, as I am watching the weather as well.

I have seen lots of great outdoor photos from a lot of DPC'ers and will browse through the galleries for ideas too.

Thanks!

MattO

Nikon D4

09/08/2008 10:57:56 PM · #2

Early morning or late afternoon or early evening are always good times to start with. Then figure weather into the equation. I'd suggest using the longest of your zooms as wide open as possible(still retain sharpness and good dof) to kill the backgrounds. Remember the focus should always be on the model, with the backgrounds complimenting them but not drawing attention away from the "star". Most importantly relax and the model will hopefully relax. Nothing worse then having two up tight people are trying to perform! This is usually harder then actually taking good photos.Oh yeah and have some fun.

Matt

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

09/08/2008 11:24:12 PM · #3

Evening light is great. I did my first model shoot on a summer evening with a single flash mounted on camera (not the best way, but works in a pinch) as a fill light. Definitely use your 55-200mm, at 200mm when possible. I think you can only get open to f/5.6 then? Even so, with the telephoto effect, that will look good. Be sure to focus on the eyes!

Pick simple backgrounds. Brick walls, green foliage, etc all look good when thrown out of focus behind the model. Remember to leave distance between the model and the background so that it does fall out of focus - 6-10 feet are needed to really get it to blur. Or, if you want to keep the texture of the BG, keep the model closer to it (but beware of shadows).

The first few shots are always tense. Talk with the model and everyone will loosen up after a few minutes. Watch carefully for moments that aren't scripted - the best shots (in my experience) come when you're moving between locations, or relaxing for a moment - any time you wouldn't really be thinking of taking a photo and everyone is just chill and acting natural. That's when the best expressions and looks come out.

Hope this helps. Show us photos when you have them! :-)

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/08/2008 11:28:24 PM · #4

I have been studying Claire's portfolio

Lovethelight and I love this photo

and want to try something like that. Especially since she is a run way model.

JaimeVinas

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

09/08/2008 11:35:00 PM · #5

Originally posted by gwe21:

I have been studying Claire's portfolio Lovethelight and I love this photo and want to try something like that. Especially since she is a run way model.

If you have to by someone , Claire is a safe bet. Her work is outstanding.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

09/08/2008 11:35:01 PM · #6

Originally posted by gwe21:

I have been studying Claire's portfolio Lovethelight and I love this photo and want to try something like that. Especially since she is a run way model.

Lovethelight is an excellent photographer and a great one to draw inspiration from (I love her portraits as well).

The shot you posted doesn't have creative notes with it, but I'd say that the model definitely has more light on her than the others, from a diffused source - either a softbox/umbrella or a reflector, likely some distance away to keep it a) out of the scene and b) very soft and natural looking. (Pay attention to the shadows, or rather lack of them - the lighting is very subtle and very even across her face and body).

Without f/1.8 the very narrow focus will be hard to get, but the aforementioned telephoto effect will help some.

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

09/08/2008 11:45:38 PM · #7

Which agency are we talking about? And is she unhappy or is the agency unhappy? Shooting portfolio work for agencies is specific.

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

09/09/2008 12:28:23 AM · #8

Originally posted by virtuamike:

Which agency are we talking about? And is she unhappy or is the agency unhappy? Shooting portfolio work for agencies is specific.

her agency provides a photog that she doesnt care for. She wants to do this on her own outside her agency.

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

09/09/2008 01:32:25 AM · #9

Originally posted by gwe21:

Originally posted by virtuamike:
Which agency are we talking about? And is she unhappy or is the agency unhappy? Shooting portfolio work for agencies is specific.

her agency provides a photog that she doesnt care for. She wants to do this on her own outside her agency.

Are these shots intended for usage by her agency? Or are these just pretty pictures?

leaf

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/09/2008 04:06:51 AM · #10

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

Originally posted by gwe21:
I have been studying Claire's portfolio Lovethelight and I love this photo and want to try something like that. Especially since she is a run way model.

Lovethelight is an excellent photographer and a great one to draw inspiration from (I love her portraits as well).

The shot you posted doesn't have creative notes with it, but I'd say that the model definitely has more light on her than the others, from a diffused source - either a softbox/umbrella or a reflector, likely some distance away to keep it a) out of the scene and b) very soft and natural looking. (Pay attention to the shadows, or rather lack of them - the lighting is very subtle and very even across her face and body).

Without f/1.8 the very narrow focus will be hard to get, but the aforementioned telephoto effect will help some.

or maybe just dodging and burning? It definitely looks like the edges are burned a little? Would be nice to know the answer though!

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

09/09/2008 07:34:39 AM · #11

Originally posted by leaf:

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

Originally posted by gwe21:
I have been studying Claire's portfolio Lovethelight and I love this photo and want to try something like that. Especially since she is a run way model.

Lovethelight is an excellent photographer and a great one to draw inspiration from (I love her portraits as well).

The shot you posted doesn't have creative notes with it, but I'd say that the model definitely has more light on her than the others, from a diffused source - either a softbox/umbrella or a reflector, likely some distance away to keep it a) out of the scene and b) very soft and natural looking. (Pay attention to the shadows, or rather lack of them - the lighting is very subtle and very even across her face and body).

Without f/1.8 the very narrow focus will be hard to get, but the aforementioned telephoto effect will help some.

or maybe just dodging and burning? It definitely looks like the edges are burned a little? Would be nice to know the answer though!

Yeah, I think there's some D&B, especially around the edges like you pointed out. But from the way the shadows are on the ground near her, I think there's some lighting modification, too. (Or perhaps I'm just over complicating it!)

Would be neat to hear from the photog herself...

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

09/19/2008 06:50:03 PM · #12

Originally posted by virtuamike:

Originally posted by gwe21:

Originally posted by virtuamike:
Which agency are we talking about? And is she unhappy or is the agency unhappy? Shooting portfolio work for agencies is specific.

her agency provides a photog that she doesnt care for. She wants to do this on her own outside her agency.

Are these shots intended for usage by her agency? Or are these just pretty pictures?

just for her personal use, not for agency use.

we have had to reschedule several times due to th weather here.

So tomorrow is the day! we are doing outside shoot, she knows what she wants (poses and such). so wish me luck

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

09/19/2008 07:05:42 PM · #13

GOOD LUCK! :)

I am sure you will be juuuust fine!

lovethelight

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

09/20/2008 09:00:35 PM · #14

Originally posted by leaf:

haha wow I am so flattered.

It was late afternoon and the way the space was set up, the trees created dark shade over the road. She was walking out past where the trees created extra shade, so the light was brighter on her because it was shade without extra darkening from the trees. I accentuated the look with dodging and burning. The fstop was 1.8. The light was so diffused because the sun was behind buildings behind me.

Message edited by author 2008-09-20 21:01:15.