model shoot


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maswu

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Jun 16, 2008
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Singapore, Balestier
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I was tinking of shooting some friends outdoors, usin them as models =) but have no prior knowldge...so anyway how do i compose my shots and do i really need flash? what lens would yu all recommend having? i was tinking of my 18-55mmIS and i will probably get the 50mm f1.4 soon...TIA:)
 

you can, just direct your subject to turn until you like the light,
but with a reflector you control the light and it will be easier to get a nice picture

btw any white material will become a reflector, white t-shirt, mounting board, marjong paper ... etc etc
be creative
 

i also looking to "shoot" some model... but my gf dun allow me to take picture of her:angry:
and i just got a 50mm and wan to try some portrait...
mind that i join in??
 

haha...yea well i dun mind =) but i'm paying my friends $15 to shoot unless yu dun mind paying another $10 -15?anyway i got to ask my models first haha...so basically anything can be reflector..hmm..didnt tink of tat..i always tot that it muz be shiny material to shoot =P anyway the shoot wont be so soon...probably around august...

so anyway is flash necessay? if yes how do i control the settings to make the photos look not so washed out?
 

Hi maswu,

Nest way to start is t\to Keep It Simple - as simple as possible.

Just one friend, one simple background and one light source (sun).

Then add reflector as Ortega mentioned, and learn how to look at light, and the way it shapes your subject.

Also look at the different times of the day, and how weather conditions change the quality of light.

You can also do this at home with window light, and a few fruits and vegetables. Don't laugh, but taking your time, use only one light source and a reflector ... look at different angles of light, and how to play with the reflector - can teach you more than 100 chio bu models and 10 assistants.

Once you realise how to 'see' light angle, and the way it affects, or 'sculpts' your subject, you will feel much more confident when shooting your friend.

Above all else, have fun, but learn something while you're having fun. ;)
 

I was tinking of shooting some friends outdoors, usin them as models =) but have no prior knowldge...so anyway how do i compose my shots and do i really need flash? what lens would yu all recommend having? i was tinking of my 18-55mmIS and i will probably get the 50mm f1.4 soon...TIA:)

Composition really depends on what u want to achieve so i cannot tell u how u should compose your subject.

Flash? Yes u'll need it and also a reflector and a diffuser for your flash. Lens wise, a 50mm or 85mm is preferred.
 

I'm curious ... why is a flash and a diffuser a 'need'?
 

Sounds about right, but I'm thinking ...

TS sounds unfamiliar with model shooting.

I'm assuming, by the way the TS asked "...do I really need flash?" tells me that the TS may not be so familiar with fill-flash usage ... which was why I suggested keeping it as simple as possible.

This has the advantage of TS focusing solely on the task at hand - shooting the model, and that involves looking for suitable backgrounds with nice light that doesn't pose too many technical problems etc.

And of course, the others' suggestion of a reflector - much easier to see in real-time, what the effect of a fill-light would be. And infinitely easier to control. One flash 'expert' on another forum regularly says something like 'when you start using flash, everything starts becoming at least 3 times more difficult ...'

Taking all these into account, I would say 'ditch the flash', unless TS is very comfortable with technical control. Then it's a slightly different ball-game. However ... there's still the model and poses to consider, wardrobe and make-up, locations and background, lighting conditions ...

CHEERS!
 

yes, keep it simple.

I don't use flash, I don't use reflector, I don't bring assistants

just go and find places have the nice lighting, place your model there and shoot.
 

ok thanx guys for ur suggestions and techniques =) i'll try the shooting of fruits as suggested by dream merchant...i noe a little bit of the fill flash usage btw...

but mayb yu guys can help me understand or teach me the techniques of flash usage? TIA
 

You're most welcome Sam.

Fill-flash.

Take ambient light reading. Make sure that your ISO is low enough to keep your shutter speed within max sync or part of your picture might come out dark. If you're using Nikon, I believe they have a high speed sync mode. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with that. Catchlights will be able to help you with Nikon.

Once you have your metered values, it's easy. Just set you flash manually to wack out about 2 stops less light than the ambient values.

Example:

Metered readings - existing light. ISO 100. f/5.6 at 1/200 give you a 'correct' exposure.

Set you flash to fully manual operations. Set the flash output to be about two stops under that. I can't give you the exact settings because all flash units will be different.

Shoot.

Then review your LCD AND histogram.

Adjust flash output as necessary.


Best to 'experiment' in hallways, semi-light/semi-dark areas with just a bag or block of some kind as your subject placed partially in shadow area or with bright light in background. So on the actual day of shoot, you will be confident, and fast in adjustments, and your model will not get tired and bored.

As earlier suggested, unless you're very familiar with fill-flash techniques, it's best to just stick to simple and elegant methods. Take things one step at a time.

If you're free one of these days, and you promise to read up/ practice on your own first, I can meet up and show you all the headaches and wonders of fill flash techniques. Or if you want, on the day of your shoot, if I am free, I bring my stuff down and become your dumb assistant ('dumb' meaning I just shut up and stay in one corner till you call me for help).
 

OMG yu'll do that for me?? thank you so much dream merchant!! nah...dont wanna trouble you to come down and help me with my shoot :) maybe just meet me and teach me the wonders of flash techniques :D

well btw my equipments are 40D, 18-55mm f4.5-5.6 IS, 70-300mm usm and if i can get it by then, 50mm f1.4 usm..oh and my flash is a 430EX :)

i promise that whenever i have time, i'll read up and try playing around...hehe cuz im still in poly YR 3 den quite bz wif project...BUT i'll definitely make time and i will not let yu down, dream merchant ;D
 

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