First model shoot.... - DPChallenge Forums

10/16/2007 08:22:30 AM · #1

Well... I've been reading and shooting and reading some more... I'm by no means competant... however, I've organised a 1-2 hour model shoot on Saturday. I've got some ideas and a location, outdoor/indoor urban/industrial.

Even though it's just a casual deal... I'm kinda worried about what I should take and how I should go about the shoot...

Any tips or hints?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

10/16/2007 11:10:50 AM · #2

*bump*

printer4u

Nikon D700

10/16/2007 12:11:50 PM · #3

I've been there too. You have some nice work in your portfolio so don't even worry about it. Go through some magazines and get some tear sheets then share them with your model to give her an idea what you are going to be working on.

I think the key is that you are both comfortable. At first it may seem awkward but as time goes by you will see the improvement in the pictures as the comfort level increases.

Just go with the flow and don't worry too much about small details at first. As you go along you can perfect things.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Rick

literaryradical

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/16/2007 12:14:38 PM · #4

Looking at your portfolio I'd say you're more than competant.

Make sure that the model knows you're experimenting and that you want to learn from this shoot. Make a big, bold crazy choice and see what evolves. One of my favorite things about working with models is that it's a second, usually very different kind of creativity added to the process. View it as a collaboration and you'll get great results.

Give her as much direction as you need to get the shots you want-- don't feel bad correcting her placement or posture and never feel like you're giving "too many" directions. I've found that models really appreciate having a lot of direction. When she's doing something you like, encourage it.

Spend as much time as you need composing the shot. If something looks wrong, correct it, don't just take a shot that you'll throw out later.

Have fun. Make sure you have water and maybe snacks for both you and the model. Take breaks to center yourself.

You didn't mention if you know this model or not. When I'm shooting someone I don't know, while we're setting up the shots I engage her in conversation about her hobbies and family life. A comfortable model is a photogenic one.

Good luck-- be sure to post samples from this shoot.

lovethelight

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM

10/16/2007 12:38:57 PM · #5

Don't be afraid to experiment and do something daring, personally I tend to break laws when I shoot...for instance this is a park in front of a hospital in the middle of the city but hey...no signs saying don't play in the water so we started climbing all over the place....probably wasn't allowed anyhow but you know it was fun and I got some great shots out of it:
[thumb]498247[/thumb]

When you are working with a model be very aware of your background, especially if you are shooting outside at an aperture wider than about 2(for a far away portrait at least.) Backgrounds can either add to the model or just completely ruin it, so be aware. For example: In this one the depth of field was shallow but the people in the background still added a lot of balance to the shot, if they had been in focus they may have stolen attention from the model instead of added an element to the picture which made the model stand out more:

I dunno, just my 2 cents, good luck with the shoot!

benjikan

Pentax K-5

Pentax SMC-DA * 16-50mm F2.8 ED/AL (IF) SDM

10/16/2007 03:59:51 PM · #6

Originally posted by shalrath:

I had a look at your work. You are obviously competent but that is not what counts in Fashion. It is the theme the styling the story the hair, make-up and execution. Of course a good model is always a good thing..

Here is an article I wrote on this subject that may aid you in realizing your goals.

Where to begin....??

The team is always the following: A Fashion Stylist, Hair Stylist, Make-Up Artist, Model or 's, Photographer and Assistant or 's....

A stylist is the person that chooses the clothing, shoes and accessories. The stylist is briefed before the shoot by the photographer. This briefing is a think tank session that is intended to garner a "Theme" or "Story" that will be the thread running through the whole shoot. It is like writing a storyboard. Let's say we want to do a ten page fashion story with the theme being"My Day at the Laundromat" for example. The shoot will be about a girl who has a huge pile of clothes to wash and is spending the whole day in the place while people are coming in and out as she observes the procession. All "Good" fashion stories start with a theme, from simple to complex. Well these people i.e. models are dressed in specific "Brands" of clothing that should cover a range of designers or manufactures to give a reason for it being a "Fashion" story and not just a "Model Portfolio" Yach...Sorry. All fashion magazine expect at least a six page story with a theme. Now how are you going to choreograph all of this. You are going for a ten page story. Well it could be two double pages and six single pages or three double page spreads and four single pages. On the former example you will only have to shoot seven images that being three horizontal images and four vertical. That could be done in one day but two days would be preferable. Now you have to define each of the shots in the "Story" Perhaps the first opening page could just be a picture of the Laundromat empty and void of anything except the ugly fluorescent lights and the washers and dryers. That might be where the title would be. Lets call the story "Living in a Laundromat".

The next shot could be the star of the show who might be wearing a "Miss Sixty" pair of red jeans an "H&M" blouse a pair of "Adidas" shoes and a "Victor and Rolf" Bag...Remember all magazine reason for existing is to catalogue what the designers are coming out with two to three months in advance of the product hitting the stores, so the stylist will have access to all of the press offices representing the designers showrooms. So let's continue. The next image is the introduction of the first couple or individuals coming in to do their laundry. They are perhaps passing dirty clothing to the one that is depositing the socks in to the washing machine. Perhaps it is being throw and caught etc. The story continues with different amusing vignettes and perhaps ends with a close up of the girl, still alone in the Laundromat of a close up on her sad face looking through the glass door on to the world outside...

That "IS" a fashion story.

Now that you have decided on the story, you have to decide on the rest of the team. Remember that the Fashion Stylist was chosen because she/he was appropriate for this kind of challenge and in your estimation a think tank session with this person would result in an interesting treatment. Knowing the story you both will have to find a hair and make up artist or one that is very good at both which is rare. You will be doing your casting based on looking at books of Hair and Make-up people to see if their style conforms to your treatment (story). Now that you have found the support team it is time to cast for the appropriate subjects.

In the story you decided that you needed three people. The other two will look different in each image so you could get away with just three "Models-Actors" The casting is so important in re-enforcing the theme of the story. For me stranger is better, but that is a matter of taste based on your being "Plugged In" to what the looks are that are happening today.

You will have the stylist or yourself call the model agencies and brief them with the criteria of you theme and they will respond by sending you portfolios for the purpose of honing down the selection. Once selections are made you will call the agency to have them send the chosen finalists to come for a face to face casting. The casting should be attended by the whole team. The hair and make-up artists will comment on there observations as well as the stylist and yourself, all seeing the model from a different perspective.

Once the democratic decisions are made, you will have the final decision approval authority based on their input. The agency will be called to confirm the dates you gave them when they asked "What are the shoot dates. We will send you books of talent available on those dates..."

You will get either a first or second option and hopefully a first. If you are certain of the selection confirm immediately. That will guarantee their availability.

Set the time and place of the shoot and give the agencies all of the telephone contact info and visa versa for the whole team... That is how to put together a shoot. Although a condensed version. You must also think about the flow of the story. Two full shots two close up details one beauty shot etc etc etc...

The Beginning... Ben

and....

rofessional photography Benjamin Kanarek shares his thoughts about fashion photography
What you are seeing when you look at an image I am posting, is not just "my photo". It is a team of individuals providing their talent (which in general is of the highest calibre in the industry) and expertise to the final outcome. All of these individuals from the Model, Hair and Make-Up artist, Fashion Stylist and PP Retouch (for skin generally..Never my lighting) are essential in getting the "Film Finished" so to speak. Being that I am based in Paris considered one of the three major centers in the world for my metier, I can draw on this exceptional source of talent. These people gravitate to these centers, just as Hollywood attracts actors and actresses, film directors, producers etc.

I have had this discussion with so many very talented photographers who become so frustrated with their work because they cannot produce the images they imagine for lack of the talent needed to do so. They ask, "Ben, why do my images lack something that I can't quite define?" And I brutally have to answer.."They smack of being Provincial..." Anyone who has done this God forsaken business as long as I have can smell it the minute they see the image. Everything from So So model, bad poorly done make-up, abysmal hair, no fashion styling at all or perhaps at best borrowed from a local clothing store and totally out dated by my "Snobbishly Arrogant" standards and really badly overdone or incompetent retouching.

If anyone wishes to do what I do, it is really quite simple. Gain a vocabulary. Go out and look at or buy, Italian Vogue, French Vogue, Citizen K International, Numero, Surface, Issue One, Oyster, Soon, V, etc etc etc..Not the S--Ty mainstream crap. Absorb it, look, observe, look, observe. You must attain a base for even knowing HOW TO OBSERVE and what to look for. DO NOT YET STUDY THE TECHNIQUE!!!That will come later. Look at everything that is happening. Look at the hair the make-up the clothes the model the theme the ambience. Keep doing this over and over and over until you learn how to be "Discerning". To become discerning you need the vocabulary.

Once you've done that and come to the realization that I might want to try this, you can choose a high end provincial market or "THE MARKET"...I started with Toronto, stayed one year, moved to LA to NY to Milan and eventually Paris. You can get some pretty good talent in Chicago, LA as upper echelon almost there markets and get away with it. You can get the good models in Chicago when they come in to do the shows. Chicago have some good model agencies.

Never do a test without all of the "support team" I mentioned. Hair, Make-Up and Fashion-Accessory stylist and of course the Model. "IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS TEAM YOU WILL BE WASTING YOUR PRECIOUS TIME."

We can talk about how you can and will get a relatively good serious working model and support team for your shoots and what to say to get them. A model agency will know immediately by the questions you ask if you are a novice or advanced shooter. Ask the wrong question and BYE BYE..You'll smack of...OH, just wanna meet models, forget it buddy! Never F--K around with Model agencies. Always be as forthright as you can with them. They can screw your career when it is just starting with just two or three phone calls. When you get to my level, it is the inverse.

Message edited by author 2007-10-16 16:00:59.

10/16/2007 07:41:10 PM · #7

Thanks for all the hints so far, they've helped a great deal in settling my nerves. Although I shouldn't be worried... the model is known to me, a friend in fact.

Some of the things I'm worried about are travelling; I'm hoping to shoot in two different locations, my kit; I'm going to take my D200, spare batteries, a reflector panel, speedlights, a couple of varied lenses and my tripod + lightstand (enough?), I'm also a little nervous as the shoot will be in my third language, Korean....

Anyhow, those things aside, it will be an urban shoot, kind of juxtaposing the model against the harsh city, I've been watching a few videos on strobist and youtube about this, but any other hints would be most welcome.

Thanks again,
Dylan.

10/17/2007 07:14:21 AM · #8

*bump*

albc28

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/17/2007 07:56:57 AM · #9

Wow...I've looked at your work and you are very good. I can't tell you how to work with your equipment (because I don't use any). Can't give any advice on make up or hair or such (because so far I let the models do their own). The one thing I can tell you is comfort is key to a great fashion shots. There are three different comforts you have to worry about. 1) Her comfort with you. Since this is a friend this shouldn't be much of a problem, but you will always want to keep a dialogue going. So be prepared to pull some past shooting experience stories, personal stories, and find ways to bring out her personality. it's going to be hard to get a model to smile if it isn't natural...and natural smiles only come when she's comfortable with you. 2) Comfort with the camera. Although she may be comfortable with you on a personal level...there is now that third person/object called a camera. Most models are self conscious about one part of their body or another. Constant reassurance of their beauty is necessary. The best way I've found is to make the camera an extension of you. She has to forget how fat she thinks she looks or how small her breasts look, but focus on what does look good. Also don't be afraid to critique something that is making her look unflattering. She'll appreciate the honesty (as long as you don't say "damn you look fatter than I thought")...but she'll know that you are trying to make sure she looks her best. 3) She has to be comfortable with the background. You are shooting in an urban area...just make sure it isn't too urban. You also want to make sure she is comfortable if there is a crowd around.

The one thing about fashion shots is that you may not realize how uncomfortable your model really was until you get home and look at the photos on your computer. I modeled..so I find fashion/glamour photography alot easier than I do other photography.

Lastly look at other photographer techniques. Alot of times I look at other photos for poses and ideas...and then transform them to my location and lighting etc.

Here is a link that might be helpful

//www.onemodelplace.com/hawthora

Although that is a link to my personal page...if you look at the top, there is a talent search button. You can search photographers by category. There are several thousands of photographers on the site who do fashion and you can see the things that worked for them....someone mentioned fashion magazines below...but not all fashion magazines encompass some photographers personal style. Fashion magazines can have a narrow style....its the photographers personal pages that show the diversity.