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Shooting models Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
Liska if you still are on here, I would appreciate any tips you can give me.

However this is a blanket question. I have been hinting to friends (very attractive friends) that I want to get into taking pics of models. And that I need some "free" people to practice on.
I have a lot of Vain friends, so naturally I got a few people who volunteered.

Liska with your pics, I have seen a lot of similar stuff to the types of shots I am thinking of. Outdoors = natural lighting only. (with or without fill Direct flash)
Indoors I have 3 flash's and Nikon's CLS system, but no softbox's or unbrella's.

I'm just looking for tips on things like, poses, clothing (most of my friends are quite fair skinned to a light tan), things to avoid like maybe too much makeup.

Pic unrelated, just a candid shot
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
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>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
Gear available to me
D50 (outdoor flash fill) D200, IR D70, 2 SB-600's, +1 SB-800
30mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 80-200 f2.8, 300mm f4
and for weird stuff I have the Sigma 10-20mm that I don't really plan on using
>> elf_man !!DdAnyoDMfCe
Most of the criticism on /p for her shots was the model's clothes not matching the setting, people making fun of the models' body types, and too-harsh lighting. The first is a stylistic choice (although something worth considering obviously), the second was crude and silly, and the third is a valid concern.
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>147015
I'll organize it so I get good sunset lighting then. I don't want to shoot mid day though, so I can keep the aperture relatively wide if need be (and still be able to use fill flash)
>> Anonymous
(vain) people love soft light. make sure you have some softboxes/umbrellas/fill cards/ bed sheet/ north window (do you get the idea yet). save the harsh direct strobes for body builders/sports/whatever. for a great read (i'm working my way through it for the third time) and tons of portrait tips check out Joe McNally's The Moment it Clicks.
>> beethy !HJGkSBB3Ao
50mm f1.4 and 80-200 f2.8 is all you need to bring.. (lens wise)

Also, if you are shooting inexperienced people.. try to get them to feel really comfortable by just having a normal conversation with them while holding the camera.
Another trick that also works at making people feel at ease is walking around them (while talking).. this way they'll interact with the camera while you get a good feel of the ambient light in the area and which angles compliment the model.
When shooting a model go for half technical and half experimental (if they're not paying you, experiment as much as you can)
>> Liquefied !!CF1+3tSFCce
You might want to start out simple and use a reflector instead of flash - much easier to control light ratios and color casts that way when you're just starting out shooting people.

The ideal way to start out would be to use diffused light such as a cloudy day or in the shade and work on poses, angles and working with a model in general before you get into lighting.
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>147021
oh ya I have a gold / silver reflector too, forgot about that.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
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Avoid empire-waist dresses. The girls probably know what they look good in, so you should trust their judgement, but if they think they look good in an empire waist, they're wrong.

Get them out of the habit of looking straight in the camera and smiling. Everyone seems to have a standard "I'm having my picture taken" smile, and they almost all suck. Some things to try: face turned slightly away from the camera, eyes looking into it; face straight on, eyes looking down and to the side.

Try to make her laugh and capture that. Even if it doesn't make for a good picture, it helps to loosen up your model. Encourage her to do silly things and make goofy faces every once in a while.

Try to take the pictures around sunset or sunrise. Good, warm, directional light.

Make sure you heal-tool out the zits and blemishes. Nothing makes a girl feel good about letting you take her picture if they come back and she looks like she's never had a zit in her life.

Try suggesting nudes in a joking manner and seeing how that goes. You'd be surprised at how often girls are willing to get nekkid for you if they're comfortable with you taking clothed shots of them.

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>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
Also: be prepared.

Scout out locations before you go out there with a model. Visualize the location with the model in it. Make a list of ideas for poses and scenes you could photograph so you have a sort of overall plan to work from instead of just playing around randomly. You can (and should) still just play around randomly a bit, but it's damn helpful to have a list of planned shots to refer back to when you hit a "Okay, I've got that shot. What now?" moment.
>> sv !!vC9KZM3Ch/H
>>147032

A good location is a bedroom.
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
ya, I've got a few places in mind right now, i'm trying to map out good semi private places in one area (walk able) that I think would make good shots.
I'm focusing on a few things, One is patterned architecture, like bridges, walkways, fences, railways, playgrounds, Natural locations like trees and lake fronts (japanese garden), theres a few mountain views but they kind of suck.

Architecture wise my city is lacking really interesting stuff, but I know a few areas that could work alright.

First model I plan on using is married, might have to do a few shoots before I try the nekkid thing :)
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>147035
probably the most difficult location actually. bedrooms are small, cramped and.. wait a sec......
>> Liquefied !!CF1+3tSFCce
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Also: BE CREATIVE. Try everything that comes to mind, even if it seems outlandish at first. Just do it.

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>> Depressed Cheesecake !wFh1Fw9wBU
Buy a Reflector and Scrim. Seriously, your photos will look so much better. Get someone to hold them during midday or late-afternoon sun and you're going to see some great lighting.

As for convincing them, shouldn't be hard. Don't sound needy, use basic social skills ... "Hey, I'm going to be shooting this weekend, come tag along and I'll let you model for me"
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
Luckily I have a few volunteers already
Just need to get some comfortably warm weather and I'll be set.

I'm checking out what other people have done with my lenses (woo for pbase) 85mm f1.8 might be a bit much, I would be outside of any comfortable talking range for anything but headshots. so 50mm f1.4, maybe even the 30mm f1.4 seems like it will work well for staying close.
3/4 shots seem to be more my style, I've seen some good full body pics, but I think that takes a lot more skill to truly visualize the terrain.

Shortside (face) lighting seems to be a good crutch for me, and face leaning in slightly. I haven't seen many shots where the head is leaned back to work. Head ever so slightly down looking up (if at camera) and or off to the side. Getting rid of the posed shots will be my priority, I prefer a more candid style. May be a challenge if the models are uncomfortable.
Luckily I'm really good at slipping into the friends zone ;)
>> beethy !HJGkSBB3Ao
>>147092
You should be prepared enough with the tips/advice in this thread... The 2 lenses you mentioned should do fine.. the reason why I would suggest the telephoto is for full body candid shots.
But yeah, I personally can't wait for you to post the results.
>> Vincent !!8LCSE0Zp1mL
>>147113
might have to wait a bit, but I will post em on here for sure.