Photo Shoot Soon - Tips?

[DGMPhotography]

Hey guys,

Can you help me out here? I have two lady friends who have said they will model for me, individually. If you look at my last shoot (which is available at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.325892014176777.72909.316638158435496&type=1) you see my skill level, albeit a little better now after learning things about DoF, and aperture, and experimenting with lighting. Anyway, the girl in my last shoot I'm good friends with, the other two I don't know as well.

Do you have any tips from experience in both regards to portrait taking techniques, and the process of a shoot itself, especially with people I don't know as well?

P.S. I may actually have a studio set up for this, so it could be inside, instead of out.

Thanks!

 

[Tony S]

At the minimum get a reflector to bounce some light into the shadow areas. Back up a bit and leave room so you are not chopping things off. Compose those shots so you have the choice to chop them off in post processing if you want that option, if you do it in the original shot you are stuck with it.

Look for better light, not high noon bright sun that is really contrasty with harsh shadows. There are too many shots on your FB album that are just shadows, it's about the subject you are shooting, light 'em up so you can see them.

 

[1hawaii50]

Are you being paid for this, or are you doing it for free? If you shoot in a studio, I'm assuming you will have studio lights available to you? Do you have any idea how to use studio lighting? The images on your faceook page, in my opinion, are in desperate need of some fill flash...

 

[DGMPhotography]

Hi,

I'm not being paid for it, I am doing it for free to learn and to expand my portfolio. I do not yet have a studio, but I may be able to come up with one before then. I have looked up several products and I may be able come up with a studio inexpensively, and I've been looking up lighting techniques. At the very least I will get one light and white cardboard as a reflector so I'll have my main light, and fill light.

Thanks Tony, I realize now that timing is more important than I thought so I will keep that in mind.

 

[Derrel]

I think you might need to clean your lens. Seriously. Front element and rear element. I looked at the shots of the girl in the gray hat on FB...a lot of bad sunstreaks that looked to me like they were caused by a thin film of "gunk" on your lens. Here's a tip for photo shoots: TELL the subject how the photography will be done. By that I mean tell the person, "Hey,look, not every single shot needs to be 'perfect',and in fact, we're not trying for anything like that. We are going to shoot three to five shots on each pose, until we get a good shot for each pose, and then we are going to change the pose, either a little bit, or quite a bit. So, don't worry too much about getting the "exact" expression. Not every shot needs to be a big smile. We want different expressions, different directions on where your face is pointed, and different eye directions. I will direct you, and tell you how to pose."

THAT is basically the way to help a subject understand "how to be a subject". Far too many people are uptight and nervous, because they want to make each shot "perfect". But that's not the way things really are, so you must TELL them,literally tell them, some of the things I just told you. This is a much more-modern way to shoot than the old way, and it really helps with people who are not all that comfortable or used to posing. Once they understand that when shooting digitally, there is no need to be so "tight" with shots, or so worried about a less-than-optimal expression, then people can relax, and you'll get good shots.

 

[Patrice]

I suggest you have a general idea before hand of which poses you want including clothing and makeup. Since you are going to be both photographer and art director for this exercise it's best to go in well prepared. Have you tried tethering your camera to a separate display? It might help you and your models to communicate more effectively if they can see the images on a screen as you are taking them.

 

[DGMPhotography]

My camera has an HDMI output, I assume that is what I would use to get it onto a screen? As for my lens, ha, idk, I've been using a skylight (and I did for those pictures), but I've now taken it off. If you look at some of my more recent photos, I don't think it's so dirty is it? Thanks for the advice Derrel, I will definitely try that. Btw, we have the same name! Spelled differently but I digress xD

 

[texkam]

Do you have any tips from experience in both regards to portrait taking techniques, and the process of a shoot itself, especially with people I don't know as well?

A contract and release.

 

[tirediron]

Do you have any tips from experience in both regards to portrait taking techniques, and the process of a shoot itself, especially with people I don't know as well?

A contract and release.

Contract, not so much for a TF* shoot a usage agreement perhaps, but a release is an absolute must.

 

[Mully]

Know what you want to shoot with them so you have an idea how you are going the light your model....do some nice tight face shots...and most of all relax