Hot answers tagged models
9
It sounds like you're expecting the model(s) to make the difference, going by the road map you've laid out. At best, the model is the final couple of percentage points. There are some differences a model will make to your photography, but that's mostly about taking proper advantage of facial structure and so forth in your lighting. You don't need a certified ...
8
In my experience it's much harder in a more formal studio environment, I've found it much easier in more natural settings. However, in both cases, engaging in a thoughtful conversation may trigger the expressions you're looking for more naturally because, in general, I find that asking people to "look thoughtful" results in a very exaggerated look just as ...
8
Flickr allows nudes as long as you change the image's "safety level" so kiddos and people at work don't get them popping up on a search; you're perfectly within the ToS. You can also make groups and galleries private if you'd rather limit who can see the photos and/or comment on them...
8
photo.net allows them in public galleries. There are a lot of good pros there that show excellent work in all categories, including nudes.
There paying and free memberships. The free membership limits the gallery size and number of uploads.
7
Model Mayhem is used well known website to find models. You can find not-so-well established models who will model for free in exchange for head shots. It is a good way to start out.
Another option would be to join a local portraiture meetup group in your area. They normally share the cost of the studio and the model when doing a shoot.
7
One trick I picked up from Zack Arias is to get the person to "move in" to the expression; you time your snap right to get the expression at the right moment.
For instance, he'll have the model close her eyes, and then have her open them. Between the time she's in the resting state of eyes-closed and the posed-looking state when she's conscious of the ...
7
It sounds like you haven't worked much with models. If not, it'll be an interesting journey. It's convenient to make a broad categorization of models into two groups: 1) Professional models, represented by an agency; and 2) People who model but are unrepresented, part-time, etc. If you want to be reasonably sure your model will be on location when he or she ...
7
First up, I suppose, would be the de rigeur posing stool and posing table. Neither is particularly expensive when purchased as such, but you can get 'em cheaper.
A "posing stool" is sort of a cross between a bar stool and an adjustable office chair. Well, you really don't need the round "that's what makes it a stool" seat -- the cheapest Ikea adjustable ...
6
A big part of it, in both cases, is about portfolio building and exposure.
The Photographer
Becoming established in the industry, especially when it comes to fashion or similar types of photography is challenging. Photographers without a strong collection of images will struggle to get gigs or get gigs that pay at all decently. So, for them, establishing ...
6
Social is a big part of the picture. Forget about posing for a moment; there's only so much that can wrong there unless you're trying something very much out of the ordinary.
What you may have failed to notice in all of that subtle direction you were following is that direction was only a small part of what was going on. You need to appear confident ...
5
With models that aren't professionals it's crucial to build up a rapport otherwise they tend to be too affected by the camera to get any kind of natural expression. I always find laughter the best way to do this if you can make the model laugh it goes a long way to breaking the ice and relaxing them. True emotions can only be seen when the model is ...
5
It can mean anything from a mutually beneficial bartering transaction to an ethical tarpit.
As John noted in his answer, both photographers and models (including actors, who are often part of a TFP arrangement) often have a need for a portfolio. Sure, it would be nice to have tear sheets (examples of published work), but getting the kind of job that will ...
5
I don't have any experience of this, but I do have experience of amateur theatre. Stage lighting is much less bright than photographic lighting, but even it tends to make people look washed out. It's almost universal that a stage actor will need to apply makeup - even the men!
Theatre audiences are much further away from the actors than the camera will be ...
4
Back in the silver halide days, if you were shooting roll film, you'd pretty much plan to throw the first roll away (that is, you'd soup it, but you probably wouldn't expect a winner -- and that's a 12-exposure roll in general, either 120 format or a short roll of VPS 35mm). It's not that you'd want to waste film, but that you'd want to waste time, allowing ...
4
A few quick tips
Keep encouraging the model
Make lots of eye contact
Smile. Lots. (If you want to get smiles back)
As you are working, show the model some of the images on the back of your camera so he/she knows what the output looks like
Make the expression you want to see on the model's face
Think what emotion / situation / person / etc. would cause the ...
4
I think you're referring to a candid expression. Some normal subjects (not models) are good at posing, or taking direction, and some are not. I think it's always a good thing to build a quick rapport with any subject you shoot, whether they're a trained model who can pull a look at will or someone who is just a regular Joe.
If you want a natural expression, ...
4
Everyone's style is different but this is what I do (and other pros in my area do similarly):
Always be respectful of the model.
Never touch the model, but if you need to rearrange something that you can't get them to do then ask for permission to touch them first.
Be careful of your wording. If a shot isn't working make sure that you don't make it sound ...
3
I sometimes ask someone I would like to photograph or ask person whose pictures I took on some event to cooperate on planned photo-session. Most people are flattered by that offer and if they reject, they do it politely.
Another great source are people following recommendations from my previous models or people that "like" my page on FB.
I found catalogs ...
3
What you are looking for is studio management software. They can do what you described, but also much much more. They help with things like invoicing, calendar scheduling, relationship tracking, referral tracking, billing, etc.
The pieces that you outline only really fall under relationship tracking, so many of the full solutions might be overkill for you ...
2
Taking a meaningful portrait is not easy, because some people are easier to shoot than others. Try to make everything as natural as you can, specially for people not confortable with the camera, which means following labnut's advice to engage a conversation to break the ice, but also to pay attention to every detail in your location that could that could ...
1
What you need is CRM (customer relationship management) tool.
If you'll make it yourself, you can go simply for some spreadsheet solution (Excel or Calc, as written above), as this will not take much time to design it (just name columns money, email, age, etc and fill it), but if you want more, customizing forms in Excel later is not so straightforward as ...
1
Is it an actual 3D model or a screenshot from a 3D model?
If it's the former then you can rotate either the model or orbit the camera to straighten the image.
If it's the latter then there's nothing straightforward you can do as the information you need isn't there. You might be able to get an artist to redraw the face as though it were full face.
From my ...
1
As far as lenses, the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 (depending on your budget) might be good choices for the portraits. I'm not sure if these will give you the focal length you need for your videos though. If you want to have more choice (and have an even bigger budget) then you may consider the 17-55 f/2.8.
Regarding your intention to record long videos, you should ...
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