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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> My First Model Shoot - Comments Welcomed
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Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
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11/10/2003 12:33:32 AM · #1
A friend of mine asked me to take some shots for a press kit. I have not taken many shots of people (see my portfolio) as most people around me don't like to be photographed, except my kids, who always want to make silly faces. I was nervous about it, but we are good friends, and I was keen to try it. He was willing to be my ginea pig. We spent a few hours roaming the street and subways of Montreal. These are a few outakes.

Please let me know what you think.



Message edited by author 2003-11-10 00:34:21.
11/10/2003 01:40:04 AM · #2
I think your results are quite good. I don't take a lot of people pics myself, but I am planning to give it a try.

From a technical standpoint, all you photos appear quite good. Looks like you could have used a bit more light on your model at times, but the composition and framing look great.

If I had one piece of advice to offer (and I plan to try and follow this myself!) it would be for both of you to loosen up and try to have a little fun with it. I'm not saying you weren't loose, and didn't have fun, only that it didn't come through. Your model appears somewhat stoic and almost pensive at times... but then, perhaps that is what you were after?
11/10/2003 01:53:46 AM · #3


Just because you asked for comments.... I think your model didn't helped you much. Probably he is not a model so he doesn't know what to do. But even so, your pictures look great. You did wonderful with your camera. In the first picture he is helping you a bit with the expression, but that's it. If you find a real model... give it a try, I am sure that the results will impress even the model himself/herself.


11/10/2003 01:57:26 AM · #4
Originally posted by mcmurma:

Your model appears somewhat stoic and almost pensive at times... but then, perhaps that is what you were after?


That's exactly the look we were going for. He's a singer/songwriter, and writes songs that are not necessarily POPPY or and HAPPY, and generally does not like to portray himself laughing, although in real life he laughs alot.

Thanks for the tips. I know some of the shots are a little dark. BTW, this was shot entirely using available light (NO flashes) using my new Canon 50mm F1.8 lens. Absolutely FABULOUS lens. So fast. I had shutter speeds of 1/30 - 1/60 almost all the time, and we were down in the subways. Love it!

Message edited by author 2003-11-10 09:08:27.
11/10/2003 09:53:20 AM · #5
Bump.
11/10/2003 10:43:31 AM · #6
Since you asked:

The first 2 color shots are very well done, but I think a bit, just enough to lighten the face a bit and to put a highlight in the eye, of fill flash or other fill light would help.

The B&W from overhead is really good, wouldn't change a thing.

The one on the escalator bothers me in that his arms are chopped off.

The color profile is another good shot, the only suggestion would be to have him turn just a bit more toward the camera. The light is great.

I think it's OK that he isn't smiling, I don't think he seems stiff or uncomfortable. It would be nice to see him smiling though.
11/10/2003 11:02:20 AM · #7
Good work Mario. I like 2 best for the lighting, 3 for the composition and love the framing in 5, although 5 is a little 'hot' in the highlights. Do you have any where he is not looking straight down the barrel of the lense? I think looking out of frame would add to the pensiveness / moodiness of the shots. I think if you were looking for confronting, then you achieved it.
I notice in all but the last shot he is looking straight on also, so his eyes and shoulders are always square, I think shot 1 would have been more appealing if his body was turned a little to his right and is head turned back towards the camera.
But overall I think the shots are great. Keep the good stuff coming.
Cheers,
Todd.
11/10/2003 11:46:02 AM · #8
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Since you asked:

The first 2 color shots are very well done, but I think a bit, just enough to lighten the face a bit and to put a highlight in the eye, of fill flash or other fill light would help.



Thanks for the input. I have a question: is it possible to a get natural lighting feeling from a flash? It would be the only type a lighting that could have been used on this type of shoot. We were in subways and shopping malls, etc. Not really possible to bring a lighting setup. I have a flash that allows me to bounce it, but I still find that the lighting looks too fake when I use it. Maybe I should invest in a proper flash ( Speedlight 420 )? Would this allow me a more natural looking fill light?
11/10/2003 12:54:12 PM · #9
Originally posted by mariomel:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Since you asked:

The first 2 color shots are very well done, but I think a bit, just enough to lighten the face a bit and to put a highlight in the eye, of fill flash or other fill light would help.



Thanks for the input. I have a question: is it possible to a get natural lighting feeling from a flash? It would be the only type a lighting that could have been used on this type of shoot. We were in subways and shopping malls, etc. Not really possible to bring a lighting setup. I have a flash that allows me to bounce it, but I still find that the lighting looks too fake when I use it. Maybe I should invest in a proper flash ( Speedlight 420 )? Would this allow me a more natural looking fill light?


In a word, yes.

The trick is to get the flash output to be just enough to bring up the level in the shadows without being obvious. I find that if I set the flash to somewhere between -1 to -2 stops that it works well, but you have to experiment.
11/10/2003 12:58:38 PM · #10
You did a great job! I like the first 3 shots the best. I don't like the 4th one because of the composition and the 5th one is to bright on his face.
11/10/2003 01:21:49 PM · #11
They are good, but really seem to need more fill light on the model, consider a assistant with a reflector.
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