extremely new and need help :)

LoveBeyondWords · Aug 28, 2011

I'm new to photography. I've taken nature shots for years but i'm wanting to expand my portfolio and i have no idea how. I've never taken shots of models or anything and i honestly have no idea where to start.

I'd love it if i could get some ideas or be directed to a site, book, or something that can help me. i need help with locations, poses, and anything else that i might not think of. i know this is isn't a really specific question but like i said i have no expereince and i'm dyin here.

Thank you for your time

joealcantar · Aug 28, 2011

I would put a general location of where you are at in the U.S., heck someone may be near you and could suggest recommended clubs, vendors etc. that may have some training available.
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Shoot well, Joe

earnhart · Aug 28, 2011

Practice with your friends or sign up on a site like modelmayhem. Then you can shoot future models to help build both of your portfolios.

LoveBeyondWords · Aug 28, 2011

ok thank you.

LoveBeyondWords · Aug 28, 2011

isn't modelmayhem for paid models? i can't afford to pay someone to model for me.

tirediron · Aug 28, 2011

There are probably thousands of books on this subject, it's really impossible to recommend just one. If you search the Internet for terms such as "Portrait posing", "Portrait composition" and "Portrait lighting" you will find a wealth of information. IMO, the single most important (and often least understood) aspect of portraiture is lighting. In nature/landscape/out-door photography we get very used to working with the light that nature presents us, and we learn what times of day are best for a given location, and when we should go where based on time of day and weather.

In portraiture, lighting is key. Without a sound understanding of how to manipulate light, you will get nowhere. 99.9% of Craig's List and Facebook Photograhers who bill themselves as "Natural light photographers" or some such other silly term use it simply because they don't understand how to work with light. All that said, I would suggest heading down to your local library and seeing what they have on the shelves for portraiture; even if it's 15, 20 or more years old, the theory is still valid (even if the clothing seems a little silly). As for lighting, the best resource, bar none, is the Strobist Blog; start with Lighting 101. You don't need a ton of fancy equipment, but at least one speedlight (flash) that you can mount OFF-camera, and reflector are important. Reflectors can be fancy, expensive units from a store or something as simple as a piece of white posterboard.

tirediron · Aug 28, 2011

LoveBeyondWords said:
isn't modelmayhem for paid models? i can't afford to pay someone to model for me.

Don't worry about things like Model Mayhem until you've got at least the basics down pat. You can practice on anyone; friend, relative, dog, cat, or doll.

LoveBeyondWords · Aug 28, 2011

sadly my local library only has like 5 books and they are all nature. we're a small area. i also only have 1 friend willing to help me and even she's even wanting to get paid for her help. i'm kinda stuck here.

pgriz · Aug 28, 2011

Sometimes.... you just have to go with whatever is available.

I don't pay modelling fees, and I get to practice all I want... Not much of a conversationalist, tho. More the strong, silent type.

Tirediron's advice is good. If your local library doesn't have enough info, then google (or yahoo, or bing) is your friend. Kundalini (a poster at TPF) pointed me towards Benji's piece on portrait posing on photocamel.com - definitely work exploring.

As for your portfolio - a portfolio is a marketing document, intended to give your target audience a good idea of what you're capable of. So issue #1 is who's your target audience. Issue #2 is what are they looking for/at. Issue #3 is how will your portfolio help them decide that YOU are the one they are looking for.