Amateur Models CC Please

IlSan · Jul 14, 2010

Are we talking high-key photography or High-End Fashion photography?

Just asking...

redtippmann · Jul 14, 2010

Yeah if that background is white then you should really think about getting a calibrator. I personally recommend the Spyder 3 Pro. Its a little much for something that you only use for editing photos but I think its a great thing and now I wont edit if I don't have it with me.

Alpha · Jul 14, 2010

redtippmann said:
Yeah if that background is white then you should really think about getting a calibrator. I personally recommend the Spyder 3 Pro. Its a little much for something that you only use for editing photos but I think its a great thing and now I wont edit if I don't have it with me.

I think what you're trying to suggest is that they shoot with a color target or grey card. Monitor calibration has nothing to do with the actual shoot...

redtippmann · Jul 14, 2010

Alpha said:
redtippmann said:

Yeah if that background is white then you should really think about getting a calibrator. I personally recommend the Spyder 3 Pro. Its a little much for something that you only use for editing photos but I think its a great thing and now I wont edit if I don't have it with me.

Click to expand...

I think what you're trying to suggest is that they shoot with a color target or grey card. Monitor calibration has nothing to do with the actual shoot...

Well yes they could do that... but really if you take the photo into post you probably are going to mess with the background and pretty much everything else. And one should get a monitor calibrator if they are going to do any serious digital work.

And I dont think a color card will do much good if the monitor your looking at is out of whack. But I'm probably wrong :drool:

alannahrose · Jul 15, 2010

No, I agree with you. I know I need to get one. I just can't afford one right now. =(

Derrel · Jul 15, 2010

How about adjusting the levels in PS,and using the white eyedropper on the background where it's supposed to be white??

skywalker · Jul 15, 2010

personally speaking...i think they can be in better clothes....and the smoky eyes is really a problem...

sovietdoc · Jul 15, 2010

What kind of distortion?

It looks like the distortion you'd get on the edge of a super wide angle lens. What lens did you use to shoot this? If you had your 18-250 on and it was at 18mm, that would make sense. On the 4rth pic, gal on the right has her face extended upwards. Maybe I am just seeing things and it's the hair style that's doing it wrong... Or on the 3rd pic, the gal on the right, proportions of her head vs legs. Just looks like it was shot with a wide angle lens too up close, so at the edges it's all stretched out.

shmne · Jul 15, 2010

As far as the white background having some color distortion, you should always use the info window and check your colors. A good white shouldn't have too much blue, red, green if in rgb or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black in cmyk.

I've never had color problems due to monitor calibration because I know more or less the amount of each value that should be in the color. At least ball park.

As far as the models being the reason the posing is bad, I'm sorry but that is up to the photographer. You need to be watching things like the neck wrinkling going on in image #4. It is you who is directing the models, a good model can take that direction and make it better. A bad model can at least understand what you are trying to tell them.

The problem I am having with the black eyes is that a good smoky eye is not solid black. Even when the desired effect is black eyes, it will be graduated from very dark center eye to dark gray outer eye. A quick smudge removing some of the black on the eyes would have added texture.

I can't tell if the white background isn't being blown because the settings on your lights are off, or if it is because of the processing done but either way the white only really hits pure white in the third and fourth images. I have a feeling it is the processing being done.

I agree with Derrel, the best one was not posted. Here the image works much better however it still has the un-pure white background.

Just keep a sharp eye the next time you do something like this, watch for unflattering poses, eyes not popping how they should be, a smudgy background, and most of all have fun. The more fun you have and the more you get your models into it the better shots you'll get.

Sorry if any of this was a bit harsh, I promise I don't mean any of it maliciously.

DerekSalem · Jul 15, 2010

I don't mean to insult the girls or your photography in this comment...but they kind of look like hookers in the way they were shot. The photography itself is fantastic -- great composition and fantastic exposure...but the models (their makeup and stances) make them look like they're in a prostitution advertisement.

I'd suggest making up the poses in your head before giving them ideas on what to do. Most of the time when models decide to do their own thing it doesn't come out how you expect.

flyingember · Jul 15, 2010

DerekSalem said:
I don't mean to insult the girls or your photography in this comment...but they kind of look like hookers in the way they were shot. The photography itself is fantastic -- great composition and fantastic exposure...but the models (their makeup and stances) make them look like they're in a prostitution advertisement.

I'd suggest making up the poses in your head before giving them ideas on what to do. Most of the time when models decide to do their own thing it doesn't come out how you expect.

I could say the same thing about many formal clothes modeling sessions. It's rather juvenile to say it, though.

Bryce · Jul 15, 2010

I felt the girls did not go with the clothes. The eyes were more goth yet they were not in goth wear. The girl on the right is more muscular wide than the other and throws off the balance of the two. I think a more feminine look for these with a gentle makeup that almost looks like they have none on and bring out the soft blond features a little better. A softer look instead of an oversharp over contrast look. I don't know much about photography but this is what I think I am seeing.

the01artist · Aug 10, 2011

I am aware that this might be a little late in posting this but I just wanted to know when you take photos, do you set up a shot? I take photos for my artwork and the type you use for photos are totaly different that print from time to time. The top model has a little potential but the zombie make up has to go. Also what is it saying in the photo? What is the model trying to convey when you look at her? She should want you to come to her or maybe she wants you to know she is coming after you. But she has no emotional content. Most models do not know how to look when in front of the camera. They do a fairly nice pose and all but the face looks the same in all of the photos. They smile too much or not enough. Not all good looking women look good on film. Plus the first girl needs stiletto heels to bring out the shape of her legs. Now I am not a great photographer by any meens but I can take a photo good enough to do a great pinup drawing from. No offence with my comment. I get that from time to time with my artwork as well and I love the comments as it helps my work get better.