Been asked to take some photos... help!

Vindaloo

Vindaloo

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Emma
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Hello everyone,

First sorry if this is not the best forum for this, feel free to move it!

I've been taking photos now as my hobby since the start of 2009 -I love it and I definitely think I've improved since then. I've picked up a few lenses, done an OU course, and looking forward to the day when I have more time and money to put into this!

Anyway, my husband's just phoned to say that someone he knows is redoing their business premises (hair salon) and has asked if I'll take some headshots for them, for display.

Erm... help! The guy knows that I don't have professional gear and isn't expecting pro results, but he's offered to pay me so if I do it, I want to do a good job. I suppose question one is - do I have good enough equipment to do this justice? I very, very rarely shoot people (and when I do, they're just my toddler and baby!) so I'm a bit clueless about what lens I should be using etc. In terms of lighting - I have a flash gun (a Jessops one I picked up cheap before Christmas) that I can use on-camera, is it best to use flash or is natural light best? Is there anything else I would need to do a good job - I don't currently have a reflector but I could just about stretch to getting one if it's advisable?

Any other tips from anyone who does this kind of photography? If I say yes I'll definitely try and get some practice in if I can find some wiling models! Am now off to nosy at the people & portraits forum!

:help:

Thanks :wave:
 
Your 450 should be more than adequate for headshots and I would image people here would suggest you use the 70-300mm lens around 80mm?

I think natural light is better, using a reflector (even if its a large bit of card covered in silver foil ;) ). However, if you are going to use a flashgun most people would probably suggest you take it off camera.

Best advice would be to check out the people & portraits section, look at photos and read the comments. Learn what looks good and what doesn't. Tke lots of practice shots of the hubby and psot here for crit :)
 
:thankyou::thankyou::thankyou:
Harvey_nikon said:
Your 450 should be more than adequate for headshots and I would image people here would suggest you use the 70-300mm lens around 80mm?

I think natural light is better, using a reflector (even if its a large bit of card covered in silver foil ;) ). However, if you are going to use a flashgun most people would probably suggest you take it off camera.

Best advice would be to check out the people & portraits section, look at photos and read the comments. Learn what looks good and what doesn't. Tke lots of practice shots of the hubby and psot here for crit :)
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Thank you!

Ok cool so the sigma then, I had a feeling that might be the one to go for. And good tip about the foil over card! Have been after a reflector for ages (no idea why really, just like new things!) but we're skinter than ever right now so buying isn't really an option.

Natural light is gooood - I'm still finding the flash a bit confusing!

Flash off camera - I take it I would need to buy things to be able to do this - leads etc? I might look into it just to see what it would cost, it might be nice to be able to do this anyway so if I do get paid for the photos then maybe I could justify it.

:thankyou:
 
Oh just thought - I have a Canon 70-200 (I think) lens available to me too (it was mine but I gave it to my dad, can easily borrow it back) - is there any benefit to this over the sigma?
 
I'd be tempted to use the 50mm over your sigma....50mm is a good focal length for portraits on a 1.6 x crop sensor. And I'd imagine it to be a bit sharper than your big zoom :shrug:

Having said that, I take most of my portrait shots with my 70-200mm :bonk:
 
Definitely use the 50mm, the available light in the salon probably won't be fantastic so you'll need a faster lens than the zoom anyway, plus as said, the 50 will be sharper than the Sigma.
 
Okey dokey thanks for the opinions... my nifty tends to live on my camera anyway so it's the one I'm most familiar with. I will have a go at practicing whenever I get chance!
 
I have a comb and an old pair of scissors - would you come to me for a haircut? Why do people expect to get photography on the same basis? Salon headshots are not easy - this salon is going to sell their 'product' with these pictures. Why haven't they the sense to get the job done properly?
 
awp said:
Why haven't they the sense to get the job done properly?
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How do you know Emma won't do a proper job? :thinking:

Are you going to show us all that chip you have on your shoulder about amateurs getting paid work? It's getting really boring....!!
 
Not at all - but with the questions she is asking I don't think she is ready to handle this job. I would rather amateurs got paid than did it for nothing. But no-one wins if the job isn't done properly.

BTW - how do you know I wouldn't give you a decent hair cut? :)
 
awp said:
Not at all - but with the questions she is asking I don't think she is ready to handle this job. I would rather amateurs got paid than did it for nothing. But no-one wins if the job isn't done properly.
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But the job hasn't been done yet so reserve judgement until it has. I see your point about the questions being asked, and I agree :thumbs: but as long as both parties are happy with the terms and results at the end of it, everyones a winner IMO!

If the results are pants, then they both lose. It's a risk, but it's up to those involved whether they are happy to take it, no one else!
 
awp said:
BTW - how do you know I wouldn't give you a decent hair cut? :)
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If that's directed at me, then that's because I started going bald about 14 years ago....and it hasn't stopped falling out since! :lol: I'm down to my last few Homer Simpson strands....you'd have a serious task on your hands to give me a decent hair cut!
 
Thanks all.

awp I haven't said a definite yes yet. I've given him links to other photos I've taken, and as I've already said will be doing lots of practice. I know how to work the camera and have been taking photos for enough time to know that you can't just decide to do headshots one day and be brilliant at it, hence the questions as it's not something I've done before.

The salon is only a small one, in a market - nothing huge and fancy. If I take photos and he's not happy then I won't charge him and at least I'll have had a go at something new. If he is happy, then everyone's happy.

Got to start somewhere!
 
awp said:
I have a comb and an old pair of scissors - would you come to me for a haircut?
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How much practice have you had cutting hair with your comb and scissors?

Most photographers I know, even amateurs, have had a fair bit of practice taking photographs, so your analogy isn't really relevant (but I do understand the point you are trying to make.) ;)
 
awp said:
this salon is going to sell their 'product' with these pictures. Why haven't they the sense to get the job done properly?
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(nothing personal about the OP, just in general...)

Usually it comes down to money. They get a quote from a pro, don't like the price, so decide their mate can do it, cos he's got a big fancy camera and it's only pressing buttons after all...and now that we're all digital, it's all easy, innit? Just photoshop it ;)


When money is tight, and they have a choice of having great shots costing £500 or good shots costing £50, they'll happily compromise quality for price, and consider the cheaper option as 'good enough' for their purpose...that's assuming they can see the difference in the quality of work. If they can't, one of the togs is seriously over/under charging.:)
 
Good hair photography is a very specialist subject, just google it and see what I mean. 4 lights usually and done in a controlled environment.

I think it's that gulf in both equipment and expertise that awp is alluding to.

How do I know the OP won't get good results? Answer, I don't but I'm willing to bet it won't be a appearing anytime soon as the new L'Oriel advert :) (That's not a dig btw, I'm pointing out that the standard of photography in salons is actually very high)

Go near any hairdressers and look at the images in the windows and on the walls and see if you can reverse engineer them. They are among the most difficult to do. You need to be able to light for colour and texture, you also need good styling in terms of clothing and make up and the ability to get rid of the background if necessary.

Sorry but hair photography is NOT easy.
 
Just to clarify - he's not looking for professional quality hair and beauty shots. He just wants a few reasonable photos to put on his wall. I'm not completely bonkers - if he was wanting the quality of photos that get printed in magazines then I would be telling him a definite no from the very start.

If anyone does have any tips for me on doing the best job I can for him with the equipment I have, or any ideas that may help me, then I'd be grateful for them.
 
Wobbler said:
When money is tight, and they have a choice of having great shots costing £500 or good shots costing £50, they'll happily compromise quality for price, and consider the cheaper option as 'good enough' for their purpose...that's assuming they can see the difference in the quality of work. If they can't, one of the togs is seriously over/under charging.:)
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and so speaks the voice of reason, if the hair dresser lands up with a product he is happy with for a price he was happy to pay then the lack of 'pro quality' is irrelevant.
 
Vindaloo said:
If anyone does have any tips for me on doing the best job I can for him with the equipment I have, or any ideas that may help me, then I'd be grateful for them.
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I can't help you with anything technical, but if this isn't something you've done before then as you've already said, the key is practice. Before you do anything for him, find some willing volunteers at home and give it a proper trial run - I don't mean just a few random head shots - try setting it up in the same way that you intend to at the salon and try to replicate the lighting conditions etc etc

If you're able to produce something that's of a standard you'd be happy to give to him (and that he'd be willing to pay for) then that's a good start.
If you discover that it's something beyond your current ability, better to find out now rather than after you've spent a few hours shooting in his salon.


awp said:
I have a comb and an old pair of scissors - would you come to me for a haircut?
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As long as you promise not to subject me to hours of inane chit-chat about the weather, where I'm going on holiday and the latest "celebrity" gossip you can cut my hair any time you like.

I HATE HATE HATE going to the hairdressers.
In fact the last few times I've got my husband to trim it for me :lol:
 
good luck to you and ouch for the comment from soomeone about paying for a pro

businesses dont have the money sometimes to paya pro (this is absolutely no offence to OP)! marketing costs money!!! for a small salon such as a hairdressers ona highstreet - they arnt going to have a massive websits and loads of money to pour into marketing!!

rant over

OP - practise!!! i practise everyday its the only way (apparantly)! lol to get better!!

im still learning and i wouldnt turn down an opporunity like this so good on you :)
 
Thanks all!

Will definitely be practicing. So far he's not given me any details about what style of shot he's after - so for now it's going to be general experiementation I think, to see what I CAN do with what I have. At least then I'll have some ideas to show him when he is ready to talk about it a bit more. I'm not sure when he's moving premises, and therefore looking for this all to happen, so hopefully I'll have a few weeks at least to start having a proper think about it all :)
 
BTW - how do you know I wouldn't give you a decent hair cut?
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I have met him. Does the phrase "bald as a coot" ring a bell? :lol: Nicky Clarke couldn't make Damien's hair look stylish. :naughty:

Sorry Damien - but it's the way it is. :razz:

Emma- go do it, practice, as far as I can see, the salon owner knows not a pro, so if it takes a couple of attempts to get it right so what? :shrug: He's not paying pro's rates, but it willing to pay, you;'re gaining experience, the model gets a few shots for her portfolio (maybe?)

I would agree with the above in that a fast prime would usually get better results than a tele......

Post some test shots or results up here...............
 
Well I think it's good to push yourself & your ability every once in a while and step outside your comfort zone. Just relax and try not to get too flustered, being able to make the model feel comfortable and relaxed is just as important as getting all the technical stuff. You can do it.
 
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