Make-Up help (for portraits)

[tmL]

Hey guys, so I'm doing some portrait stuff just for fun with some friends and I've come to realize that a lot of times my pictures are a little TOO sharp in terms of amplifying the imperfections of people's faces. Naturally, I believe make-up would be a pretty good cure (is that a correct assumption?) but unfortunately neither my friends nor I have any experience with it. I am interested in learning how to apply make-up to others because I think it would be a useful skill for a photographer to have, do you guys have any recommended reading that specifically talks about make-up for photography purposes?

Also, I would love to hear any basic tips or advice you might have for make-up, for example what is an absolute necessity and what I can do without (budget is obviously an issue). Please keep in mind that I am completely new to this Thanks!

 

[Josh66]

I'm not really sure that make-up for photography is drastically different than 'general' make-up.

The thing I would watch out for is over doing it. Too much make-up will look like too much PP - plastic. There needs to be some imperfection mixed in with covering up blemishes/pores, etc...

 

[table1349]

Well have you any Cosmetology schools near by? Maybe a student could use some practice.

 

[tmL]

I guess they would also be good people to talk to to learn about this stuff but would also like to have a way to learn by myself and maybe a few friends in our spare time. Thanks for the tips so far.

 

[KmH]

Good MUA's (Make-Up Artist) are worth their weight in gold.

 

[Big Mike]

Sites like model mayhem have listings for MUA as well as models and photographers etc. some will work TFP.

 

[KmH]

Yep! MUA's need images to show off their make-up work.

 

[CCericola]

Look up Sue Bryce. She has a blog and made a post about her make up technique. It is one way to do it that I have found pretty successful. To avoid any lawsuits from clients who claim they get any skin problems or sickness from your make-up, you will want to hire a certified MUA and not do it yourself.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Scott Kelby and them can teach you how in photoshop too (Learn Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Digital Photography | NAPP) , although the pro's helping me in my area told me what KmH said about worth their weight in gold. Add to that hair and sometimes body painter artists too.

I've been fortunate to attend some interesting shoots with folks around here helping me and see proof of that 1st hand

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I'm not really sure that make-up for photography is drastically different than 'general' make-up.

Even the TYPE of make-up used is different.

 

[DiskoJoe]

I'm not really sure that make-up for photography is drastically different than 'general' make-up.

The thing I would watch out for is over doing it. Too much make-up will look like too much PP - plastic. There needs to be some imperfection mixed in with covering up blemishes/pores, etc...

It most definitely is. You want it to look natural and like the are not wearing make up, especially if you are talking about doing this to men. You cant slap bright red lip stick on a man.

What you need is advice from a real make up artist. The easiest way I could think of accomplishing this is to look on model mayhem for someone local that might be willing to come over and help. And just in case you do not know make up is hella expensive and tones are hard to match. So not a simple at all.