let your fashion model do her thing
January 16th, 2009This photo shoot was great. I let the model just get into her own head and forget I was even there. Your model doesn’t always have to be looking into the camera. A great photo is about capturing a moment, a moment that evokes a feeling inside you and makes you think. Sometimes when I see a photo it brings me back to a time from my childhood, or even evokes feelings that I never even felt. I share this with you in hopes that you feel something to inspire you or just make you fee good about life.
golden hour light through sheer shirt
January 18th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I love this image and agree with you about capturing a moment. Most of the time such moments are just that – the briefest moments of time. So much so that if you blink you miss them. I’ve found that some of my best images come between ‘takes’ when I’ve asked the model to just relax while I fiddle with the camera. When I look up, I see the model has totally relaxed and the best shot of the shoot presents itself. Sometimes I can capture these moments there and then and other times (if she has moved or noticed me looking) I find myself having to direct the model back into that momentary image so that I can capture it.
I’d love to be able to capture more moments like this but find it difficult to do so because the model expects constant direction from me. Maybe I’m just not working with the right sort of models or maybe I simply haven’t ‘connected’ with the models enough to let them relax to that level during a shoot, for it is only be being completely at ease during a shoot that such images present themselves (in my opinion at least).
Would love to hear other thoughts and views on this which might help me to improve in this aspect of my shoots.
[Reply]
January 20th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Hi Thorsten,
Very good timing in you bringing this up. This past weekend I had another private workshop and my student was shooting the model and missing some GREAT moments. Why was she missing them ? Because she is still at that stage where her technical skills are not at the point where she doesn’t even have to think about them.
Yes it is the model’s job to give you “good face” but it is also YOUR job to direct the model. The bottom line is a good photographer is actually a good director. Eventually you will get to the point where all you are thinking about it pulling emotion from your model and the technical aspect of lighting, settings etc. will be things you won’t even have to be concerned with because you know they will be correct. The only time that camera should be away from your eye is when you are changing cards or film. Matter of fact I have my assistant standing by with another camera loaded with another card already formatted so all I do is hand him my camera with the full card and he hands me the camera with an empty card.
You MUST connect with your model/ models otherwise you will have boring shots and your client will be pissed off.
[Reply]
February 14th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Excellent use of available light. During the golden hour is my favorite time to shoot as well, everything just turns out better.
[Reply]
February 16th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Hi Josh,
Thank you again for the compliment. Yes the golden hour is my favorite time as well. The ironic thing is that we call it the golden HOUR but the reality is you have about a half hour lol. But as we get closer to spring that half hour does go into an hour. And then summer light just sucks all together ! lol
[Reply]
July 5th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
love the golden hour…… i use it every now and then and sometimes like to use the flare effect to create a nice dreamy look.
I must say that I’ve learnt something from your post which is to use center weighted metering. I’ve always been using manual settings and then chimping to get the right look. I will try your method this week at my shoot.
lovely photo.
[Reply]
Jason Christopher Reply:
July 10th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Hey Tom,
Yes the golden hour is my favorite time of day to photograph a stunning fashion model. I’m so happy you learned to use center weighted metering. Please post your photos from your shoot !
[Reply]
July 5th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
excellent shot with those golden light
[Reply]
July 10th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Thank you William !
[Reply]
September 11th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I love this shot, and I have to say the best shots I have ever taken or people have taken of me have been when Im not paying attention.
This is really just lovely…
[Reply]
Jason Christopher Reply:
September 13th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Thank you very much Andi
Let’s trade links.
[Reply]
September 14th, 2009 at 3:35 am
Thats sounds great
[Reply]