Photographing Fashion Models Using Available Indoor Light
January 27th, 2009I decided to post this photo in the Lighting On Location section because location doesn’t just mean outdoors. Many times I like to use the available light that is in the room. In this instance it was a bathroom. Now this is something I learned from Helmut Newton. When he first started shooting he couldn’t afford professional lighting. He was very poor. So he used the lamps in his house as his lighting source. Of course back then he used film and did all his color correcting in the darkroom or used the correct film for such lighting conditions. But I have come to like the warm color cast that results from NOT white balancing my camera. This is the original shot. I was on a tripod using
available indoor photography lighting
a very slow shutter speed and a high ISO. The model has to keep very still OR even a little blur is ok. It makes it more artistic. Again, remember there is no right or wrong UNLESS the client doesn’t like it. In this case my client, Deliverance Poker did like it.
Now I also wanted to try something else so I made the image black and white in Lightroom. I also cropped it much tighter. I like both versions. I just want to show you how you don’t ALWAYS have to use additional lighting to capture a great shot.
This is the black and white cropped version.
black and white conversion photo
They both look great. I would love to know your thoughts and opinions.
January 28th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Hi.
I think the black and white photo was much more better.
Looked much more nicer.
What is the best advice for someone who wants to be a photographer.?
Peace
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January 28th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Hi Amne,
Thank you for your reply. I have a question for you. I appreciate you telling me that you like the black and white better but I would like to know why you like it more than the color version. Your answer will help me and it will also help you and others. When you look at a photo and decide you like it, ask yourself WHY you like it. What aspects about the photo make you want to look at it more than the other photo?
As far as my advice for someone who wants to be a photographer, whether you want to be a fashion photographer, portrait, wedding, etc. shoot what you love ! Don’t shoot what you think will make you money. If you shoot what you love the money will come. Someone will eventually appreciate and hire you for your style.
If you shoot what you think will make you money, it will not show in your photos.
Anyone else want to comment on these two photos ?
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January 28th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Hi Jason,
I too prefer the B&W version better. My first thought was that you’d uised a wee bit too much shadow/highlight or similar but then I realized I liked it as is and the processing is spot on and gives it a nice feel.
Primarily, what bothers me about the color version is that the lamp is in frame and thus blown out (pretty unavoidable unless you mask two separate exposures or something. Just as you (in the vast majority of instances) wouldn’t included your flash in the shot, I feel you should avoid the lamps. At least I’ve found I like them much better just out of frame.
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January 28th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Hi J. Wesley,
Thank you for the input. Ya I agree with you. Now here is a question: If I had cropped the color version like I cropped the black and white version, would it have a different feel ? Possibly. The point is that you can still use available indoor lighting without any extra lights and capture a great moment.
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January 28th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I think both images are valid and both work very well. Although the BW image is derived from the colour image I think they are two entirely different images. It’s not too often that I’ve been able to create two completely distinct images from one original like this.
I love the opening comment that location doesn’t just mean outdoors. So many times when I speak to models or fellow photographers and mention that I prefer location work to studio work they ask me what I do in the winter! Seems that people automatically assume that location means outdoors.
I was also interested in your comment re. shooting what you want rather than what others want. I’ve often had this discussion with fellow photographers when I’ve discussed going pro. The standard response I get is that they don’t want to go pro because it means shooting what others want in order to make a living and my reply is that I would hope to be hired on the basis of my style rather than because I can do cheaper what the photographer down the road is doing.
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January 29th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Thank you Thorsten. LOL when people say they don’t want to go pro because they don’t want to shoot what others want, they have no idea what they are saying. You are correct, a photographer is hired for his or her style. Now does that mean that I’m going to enjoy shooting a catalog of sweaters and shoes over an ad for a beautiful couture line ? Hell no. But I would rather make a living with my camera than sit behind a desk in a cubicle all day pushing a pencil.
Not EVERY assignment is going to be something you love shooting, however think about it, you’re using your camera and someone hired you because you have an eye for photography. That makes me feel really good about myself. So the guys who say they don’t wanna go pro are really saying they are just afraid to put themselves out there, which is ok. Everyone has a different purpose and everyone has a different time in which they are to succeed. Just shoot what you love when you test and the work will come
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January 30th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Hello Thanks for the advice i appresiate your advice.
Sorry im not from US.
My english is bad.
But i ment i like the black and white because the shadows brings out in the photo, and it dose not do that in the regulary photo.
I think the first photo lamp is detroying the photo, and its to yellow.
I think it looks good, when you just see her face, not the hole body and i belive the things around and the lamp and the makeup, it is not rellavant to the photo , a litte bit distracting.
Hah i hope i dont distract your time with my funny comment.
Peace and love
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February 1st, 2009 at 10:03 am
Ahhhhh I see your point Amne. I actually agree with you. That is why I cropped it. I love your comments and replies. Please comment and ask any questions when ever you like
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February 5th, 2009 at 1:58 am
according to me black and white is much more better than the colored once. Its looks attractive.
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February 5th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Hi modeling studio,
thank you for the comment. I’m wondering if I crop the colored image just like I cropped the black and white what everyone would think.
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February 26th, 2009 at 10:26 am
cute blog, thank you.
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July 31st, 2009 at 1:19 am
hi jason! i like the black and white version better because it’s tightly cropped which makes your eyes focus only on the model and the contrast of her black lingerie to her white skin makes it a strong photo.
i just noticed though it’s not an ordinary black and white conversion. it’s kinda like a duotone. can you share your technique on how you do your black and whites on lightroom? if it’s not asking for too much
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Jason Christopher Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:23 am
Hi Cindie !
Thank you for your opinion. At the time I used this in Lightroom I had just gotten the program and was still experimenting. I didn’t know that one could save presets. I went back into Lightroom to try and remember what I did and I just don’t remember. To this day I still just import a photo into Lightroom and just mess around until I like what I see, BUT now I save my results as a preset so I can use that look again if I like. I don’t do my own post production so it’s rare for me to do something like this unless I just feel like experimenting. I still haven’t read the manual lol.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I like more the cropped photo, not only because it is Black&White, but because it changes the point of interest from the back of the girl, to her face. Im far from moralist but the colored one is like the photos that are in the men’s magazines as Maxim and others, and the cropped one remarks the beauty of her face and force us to imagine what could be the full picture. Unbelieveable that both are the same one! Thanks for sharing.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:54 am
Jose I never thought of it that way. Wow great point. Thank you ! The truth is IF I were to shoot for Maxim it would have to be paid and I would change my name. Maxim is junk.
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December 24th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Thanks for posting this, as I’m sure it will be useful to many people out there. The more you know and prepare yourself, the better off you’ll be.
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Jason Christopher Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Hi Herman, thank you for the compliment ! I went to your site and your work is SPECTACULAR ! I have relatives in New Hampshire and I am due for a visit there soon. Please keep in touch. Did you happen to take a look at my landscape portfolio ?
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March 3rd, 2010 at 5:06 am
I like both the photos.. Particularly the color one. Tempts me to rub along and drum it
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