Well said...
Having a good flash really does help. For option A, the model will end up all squinty and sweaty/oily I suppose. I can't solve the 2nd riddle...damn.
I'm guessing it's "age" and the sun will show flaws in the faces of the models.
Good work! The sunlight on the side of a models face will show more texture than the other half. Flaws can either be natural (skin blemishes, pimples, wrinkles, sag lines, etc.) or aesthetic (bad make-up such as too thick foundation, mismatched shade, etc.) also becomes more evident. All of these become suggestive of age.
Others will argue that these textures/flaws can easily be reduced using software (during the post-processing), it will however add to the workflow. Spending additional minutes retouching via software might be acceptable to some, but what if you're shooting with film? Extra work in developing won't be just a "few minutes".
Better to shoot it properly than to spend more time at post-processing.
Filters have it's benefits/uses but not for the scenario I mentioned previously.
Ans.
1. fill-in flash
2. age
tjhan and redwine figured out the answers.
@redwine, it seems that you're already familiar with most concepts. it will be entirely up to you whether you try to learn more and practice first before joining the shoots, or to brave it and see if you're up to it by just "plunging in".
as for equipment to bring, as others have mentioned:
1.
camera + lens -- you don't have to bring a lot, just find one that you might want to use. (for example, I'm pretty fond of using my 40-150mm because I can get nice half-body shots, and I can zoom in for close-ups without necessarily being too close to the model, and if I wanted to take full body shots, i just take a few steps back until I get the frame I want.)
2.
external flash -- even if it's an outdoor shoot (remember fill-flash); you can also use the built-in flash in some cases but it's very restrictive and harsh (try to use a diffuser). if it's a studio shoot, you normally won't be needing it unless for triggering slave flash -- but most of the studios will let you use a wireless trigger instead. personally, i just bring my external flash all the time (never can tell when you'll need it).
3.
filters -- might come in handy, but entirely optional
4.
extra battery -- entirely optional, but it does help to be prepared (you don't want your camera dying on you -- especially if you join those 4-hour shoots) although I haven't had the chance to swap batteries in any of the shoots I've attended. If you don't have a spare battery, just make sure you leave home with a fully charged unit
5.
extra memory cards -- depends on how big your cards are (for example, I only have 2GB cards and I shoot in RAW which gives me about 115 photos per card -- I joined a 5-hour shoot with 3 models and used up 4 cards = 8GB)
6.
tripod -- only if you expect to shoot at slow shutter speeds.