My first shoot with models!

bryanj87 · February 22, 2009

This is my first time posting in this section. I had an opportunity to attend a glamour/fashion workshop recently. It was my first time shooting with models, softboxes, reflectors, etc.(I usually shoot landscapes and urban stuff). I learned a lot, including that I have a lot to learn. Here are some of my best so far from the day. All of these have had some post work done, ranging from Noise Ninja to help smooth skin, Nik Viveza for selective brightening and warmth, and Silver Efx for all the b/w conversions. Comments and constructive criticism is more than welcomed!

1.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3292092428_a69bc5e5af_o.jpg" width="627" height="1000" alt="0016 Phil" />
2.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3291275229_16b25c5f03_o.jpg" width="627" height="1000" alt="0063 Margie" />
3.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3291275419_fc50440b0d_o.jpg" width="1000" height="737" alt="0085 Gina" />
4.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3293596915_4339c58d7a_o.jpg" width="627" height="1000" alt="0119 Becky" />
5.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3301245970_71c8b92783_o.jpg" width="637" height="1000" alt="0160 Gina & Margie" />
6.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/3301245746_b7b50732bb_o.jpg" width="908" height="1000" alt="0137 Becky" />

dogwood · February 22, 2009

My two cents-- on the first one his expression makes him look crazy. You also might want to shoot from a slightly higher position for a little more flattering look.

The pose on #2 is not flattering to the model's face at all-- her neck and chin in particular. I also think her head is turned too far left and her eyes are too far off camera (too much whites showing-- rarely a good thing).

In #3, her eyes look dead or closed-- esp. that right eye. Without life in the eyes, it's tough for a viewer to connect.

Number four is gorgeous. Classic pose, beautiful model, nice post work.

You have the dead eyes thing going on again in #5 with the top model. I also don't much like the way the bottom model's head is centered in the frame-- just a composition thing.

#6 is nice though again, I think a different angle with her head would have improved both the light (it's awfully harsh at the top of her nose) and her eyes.

And of course, take that all with a grain of salt. They're just tips and comments -- doesn't necessarily mean they're correct!

bryanj87 · February 22, 2009

Thanks for the honest feedback, I appreciate it. The male model is actually an actor and he wanted shots showing different expressions, so I chose this one to post because its a bit different. Only the model in shots 4 and 6 had any experience knowing how to pose herself to look her best with little guidance from all us noobie photogs! The model in 3 did squint a lot, and didn't smile much either. Shot 6 I snuck while another photog was using the softbox, so all I had was ambient light. I tried to give it a Holga look in post.

I do still have a lot to learn, but thank you!