Photographing Models - Tips Please!

[JimNotJon]

After showing a few friends and posting my photography work on various forums, I have been offerd an opportunity to photograph this girl I know.

She has left it all up to me pretty much and I haven't a clue where to start, I've never done portraits before, at all! Im a total noob at it.

After talking to her, it appears she wants some normal casual shots that she doesn't mind anyone seeing, then some sexier shots, in her underwear (and if I play my cards right some more flesh!).

Normal casual shots I should be ok with, I live in Lincoln and there are quite a few urban backgrounds ect that will look pretty good in my oppinion. Clothing I haven't a clue about, im just a guy that puts the first thing on that comes out the drawer.. so some help on what she should be wearing would be helpful.

Composition, Preparation and equiptment (I basically only have my Fuji Finepix S9600, tripod and myself as equipment).

What makes a good photograph when photographing a model?


Any help on the matter would be much appreciated.

Thanks


Jim




Edit* The sexy shots will be in doors, either at her home or a hotel room (sounds seedy I know, its innocent honest!). So what about back drops?

Edited by JimNotJon on Sunday 28th October 17:19

[Scooby_snax]

Its all in the lighting...give that some thought before the actual shoot

Oh and her eye contact with the camera

[r5gttgaz]

Travelodge shots will look like cheap porno IMHO.

[nick_bbb]

It will be difficult if you're both new to this kind of thing, maybe you should work with an experienced model first who knows how to pose so you can concentrate on all the other elements, as stated lighting being the key one

[kiwisr]

Identify what sort of shots you would like and then maybe cut out examples you like from magazines (Vogue/FHM etc). Show them to her beforehand just to give her an idea about clothing and also the poses that you want.

Also have a look at www.onemodelplace.com for ideas too.

[Scho]

true.

working with new models is HARD.

keep the lighitng simple so you can concentrate on directing her.

you might want to try gettting some big sheets of polystyrne from wikes and bouncing a flash head into them to create one huge soft even lightsource.

this pic is lit as described:

good luck and i expect to see some nudity in return for the advice ;-)

rick.

[TonyHetherington]

It's not easy!

Especially if you're both new. My first ever shoot was appaulling, really bad indeed (there's a thread, see here for lots of tips; http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... ) however, in the past year I think I've progressed a fair bit; www.tonyhetherington.com/Galleries/Models but still way way wayyyyyyyyy loads to learn.


Don't expect too much too quick would be my advice from somebody who also has only recently started learning.

[Qoda]

As has been said by others, LIGHTING is the key.
Find pictures you like, work out the lighting that achieved them. Write down the lighting plan. There are some good books showing lighting plans for various portrait shots, clothed and nude and in-between.

Show the pictures to your model, see what she likes. Then work out how to do it... what lights do you have, where can you use them, are there any studio's near you that you can hire for a few hours (about £25ph guestimate).

Be comfortable, (best for that is to plan, plan and plan again), be confident (repeat plan), treat with respect, ask permission, make suggestions, be happy

Sadly, my studio is probably too far away from you

Enjoy & Good luck
Mike

[JimNotJon]

Thanks for the input fellas. I know it was going to be no easy task but I had never anticipated the amount that goes into what appears to be very simple looking shots (simple in a very good way indeed).

Im not doing it for money atall so equipment I will be borrowing will be on a low budget, perhaps adapt some spot lights a builder friend of mine has. Time will tell what the outcome will be, and if I progress in the tequnique, well who knows, I could perhaps could shell out on better equipment.

I fully respect where you are coming from as to models experience, It would make my life alot easier, but perhaps they would expect more out the photograph than what I could offer at this stage, as with your previous thread Tony.

I will be sure to post anything I do on here for the very best, and honest comments of you guys.

Jim

[Scooby_snax]

JimNotJon said:

I fully respect where you are coming from as to models experience, It would make my life alot easier, but perhaps they would expect more out the photograph than what I could offer at this stage, as with your previous thread Tony.
Jim

If they are professional/experienced and the shots arent for publication then they wouldnt worry about your lack of experience. As others have said if the model is experienced she can do her own her make up and stuff and more importantly move from pose to pose without instruction

Oh a couple of other suggestions if you can have background music on and maintain a chat with her..helps her relax...also a glass of wine would not be considered unprofessional

[chris.mapey]

If I was shooting a model for cash, then hire some soft box lights.

For "Mates Rates" then I'd improvise.

Get some "daylight" bulbs (at a push use 100w normal bulbs) for some cheap spotlights, and use an improvised "snood" (cone that focusses the light to a spot - I'd use some cardboard around a cheap desklamp to focus the light into a beam, held in place with either a bulldog clip or gaffa tape!)

If your camera has a manual overide, then use it.

Also it may be worth having a bit of on camera flash, so try that. You may prefer the result if that flash light is diffused, so have a small amount of thin white cloth to do that.

Use a tripod and don't be afraid to experiment.

Ideally take a laptop so you can both review the images & try something different if neither of you likes the result. Remember it's a joint effort.

As has been mentioned, compliment the model in a non cheesy way throughout. I found it easiest to keep chatting throughout (I'm a windbag ) my first shoot with a naked model.

Use something like PaintShop Pro / Photoshop to have a tweak of the results & job done (if you don't have either then you can download a free full 30day version of PSPro from the Corel website)

Hope that helps, and come back if you want to ask anything else.

Good luck & have fun

Chris

[Andy M]

Scho said:

you might want to try gettting some big sheets of polystyrne from wikes and bouncing a flash head into them to create one huge soft even lightsource.

this pic is lit as described

The light in that photo is great

[TonyHetherington]

Agree about keep chatting to the model - especially if she is new. Just keep talking, the whole time, even if you just say "that's a nice pose, hold it".

Also, remember to count the amount of hands and legs she has in the shot. If she is posing and you can't see any of one leg or one arm, it will look wrong.

Music is a must, also.

Good luck, and let us know the results

[Scho]

TonyHetherington said:

Agree about keep chatting to the model - especially if she is new. Just keep talking, the whole time, even if you just say "that's a nice pose, hold it".

[austin powers voice] "you're a tiger!" [/austin powers voice] is a golden line..... also try "work for me baby" ALLWAYS gets a laugh ;-)

TonyHetherington said:

Also, remember to count the amount of hands and legs she has in the shot.

if she has more than four in total get the hell out of there.

rick.

[JimNotJon]

Scho said:

TonyHetherington said:

Agree about keep chatting to the model - especially if she is new. Just keep talking, the whole time, even if you just say "that's a nice pose, hold it".

[austin powers voice] "you're a tiger!" [/austin powers voice] is a golden line..... also try "work for me baby" ALLWAYS gets a laugh ;-)

TonyHetherington said:

Also, remember to count the amount of hands and legs she has in the shot.

if she has more than four in total get the hell out of there.

rick.

[Altrezia]

JimNotJon said:

Scho said:

TonyHetherington said:

Also, remember to count the amount of hands and legs she has in the shot.

if she has more than four in total get the hell out of there.

rick.

HAHA!

[F308 MAN]

slightly digressing here, but if anyone is considering enjoying glamour photography, you could do a lot worse than to employ an experienced model and therefore part with as much cash as you can afford.
these girls (can't speak on behalf of the boys) are brilliant ... tell them you're "new" (they will know anyway, but will appreciate your honesty) and they will generally look after you.
they are aware of all the pose routines, clothing (or lack of ... ), make-up and many may even offer tips on your lighting setup.

you're paying out a few quid, but you're learning from experienced girls .... what you learn will stand you in good stead relative to future shoots with less experienced lassies.

d

[Seasider]

F308 MAN said:

you're paying out a few quid, but you're learning from experienced girls .... what you learn will stand you in good stead

So true




HTH

[finnyuk]

yeah it is all in the lighting I find. I do alot of fashion/glamour photography as I work at a studio that caters for it aswell as cars.

Best advise if it is something you want to prgress with is, get in contact with a local studio as some hold group nights which are ideal for learning. we hold these where its a group of photographers of all levels and you learn from each other different lighting and techniques. The studio have a model there for you to work with who has some experience which makes life easier for you to learn.

[TonyHetherington]

I have a shoot tonight actually. At the moment I'm playing it safe with dark backgrounds and minimal props. Lighting is key but with a good set of studio lights (I've borrowed ) it makes it a trillion times easier.