First Portrait Session.....kind of!

Derek.Laurence

Derek.Laurence

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Derek
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Hey guys,

Its been a while since ive posted. Ive secretly been lurking because my phone insists on logging me out...anyhoo...

Im working my Way through the Diploma in Pro Photography through Blackford Centre and Im currently on the Portrait module

Ive photographed the kids to death previously and wanted to move outside my comfort zone. Ive convinced a new friend to sit for me for some portraits.

She hates her picture being taken but said shell do it to help me out.

Now panic is setting in!

By her own admission, in pictures she looks like " a gerbil with a lazy eye". I havent noticed the lazy eye in her few fb pics but she does have slightly chubby cheeks on a small round face and i can see where she is coming from ( one pic she has the two front teeth out as well)

She has quite short blonde hair with lots of colours in in (almost quite rocky looking)

On top of this she has quite bad excema which can go quite blotchy!

The last thing i want to do is, quite literally, cast her in a bad light

What will be the most flattering way to light her?

I had originally thought about butterfly lighting for a few head/shoulder shots but im thinking that this will cause shadows under the cheeks and hence im now thinking this is a no go

Am I better just sticking to some short lighting?

Any hints/tips will be greatly appreciated
 
From your description, wouldn't you have an easier time with a different model?
Then when you're armed with more skills do this friend later.
 
Possibly so..... If only I had another willing volunteer!

And would I not be better honing skills so that I was capable of dealing with any situation rather than running away from awkward ones?
 
You could hone your volunteer-gathering skills, they appear to be a bit minimal (don't hit me :oops: :$ )
The main issue I see is nothing to do with teeth or excema, but she's doesn't like being photographed.
Quickly find someone who does : by definition they will be ridiculously easy to persuade.
After that ... Bob's yer uncle.
 
Join Purestorm or Model Mayhem.
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
You could hone your volunteer-gathering skills, they appear to be a bit minimal (don't hit me :oops: :$ )
The main issue I see is nothing to do with teeth or excema, but she's doesn't like being photographed.
Quickly find someone who does : by definition they will be ridiculously easy to persuade.
After that ... Bob's yer uncle.
Click to expand...

your model has to be comfortable in themselves and love their self image
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

Ive already asked her and so Im not going to cancel on her. Ill just do the best I can with the given situation and learn for the future.

She cant hate her own image that much or she wouldnt have said yes. I certainly never forced her into it. She is very bubbly and `out there` and im sure well have a great time. time will tell!
 
My thoughts:

Main thing is to get her relaxed and enjoying things. Engage her in conversation while shooting. Be positive and enthusiastic.

Very soft lighting.
Long lens
Try some shots from a bit above with her looking up at the camera
Overexpose to de-emphasis skin blemishes (not my favourite style, but some people like it)
Some very close shots emphasising eyes
 
PatrickO said:
My thoughts:

Main thing is to get her relaxed and enjoying things. Engage her in conversation while shooting. Be positive and enthusiastic.

Very soft lighting.
Long lens
Try some shots from a bit above with her looking up at the camera
Overexpose to de-emphasis skin blemishes (not my favourite style, but some people like it)
Some very close shots emphasising eyes
Click to expand...

i agree with this well thought out reply and it brought to mind the way i saw a pro doing some fashion shooting
he had the camera on the tripod all set up and using a 'cable' release which today is possibly digital
and walk around chatting
 
Hi, are you planning outdoors or studio? If the latter, butterfly is lovely for women and easy to set up. On the whole studio lighting is harsh on skin if you don't get it exactly right. I've probably got more ideas for outdoorsy that's what you're aiming for. Cheers Mandy
 
i was in a camera club and some of the models we had were just ordinary people who "did'nt mind" having their pic taken just enjoy the experience and practise don't forget to try some candids hth mike

examples these are not great but i'm no pro a little tip if shooting small children remember to get the lights down to their level cheers mike


summer by Mike Rockey, on Flickr

I know how to do makeup!!! by Mike Rockey, on Flickr
 
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Thanks again for all the replies.

I am going to stick to a studio type set up as shes bringing her daughter for a play date with mine at the same time ( the wife is taking care of them)

Like i previously said, i did consider butterfly as I know it is flattering for most but Im also aware it puts a shadow under the cheeks and thought that might enhance any gerbil cheekyness! lol (obviously ill have a reflector underneath to combat this)
 
Derek.Laurence said:
Hey guys,

Its been a while since ive posted. Ive secretly been lurking because my phone insists on logging me out...anyhoo...

Im working my Way through the Diploma in Pro Photography through Blackford Centre and Im currently on the Portrait module

Ive photographed the kids to death previously and wanted to move outside my comfort zone. Ive convinced a new friend to sit for me for some portraits.

She hates her picture being taken but said shell do it to help me out.

Now panic is setting in!

By her own admission, in pictures she looks like " a gerbil with a lazy eye". I havent noticed the lazy eye in her few fb pics but she does have slightly chubby cheeks on a small round face and i can see where she is coming from ( one pic she has the two front teeth out as well)

She has quite short blonde hair with lots of colours in in (almost quite rocky looking)

On top of this she has quite bad excema which can go quite blotchy!

The last thing i want to do is, quite literally, cast her in a bad light

What will be the most flattering way to light her?

I had originally thought about butterfly lighting for a few head/shoulder shots but im thinking that this will cause shadows under the cheeks and hence im now thinking this is a no go

Am I better just sticking to some short lighting?

Any hints/tips will be greatly appreciated
Click to expand...

Avoid cross lighting as this will show up blemishes even more, each one will make it's perfect little shadow. As it's your first shoot like this, keep it really simple. I made the mistake of shooting for the stars on my first shoot and got loads of different looks nearly right instead of getting one style bang-on.

How about a clam shell set up? One light on axis just above camera and reflector below. Use a shoot through umbrella, nice and easy to carry around (unless it's windy, then take a softbox). Bring the brolly down until you fill the eyes and have the camera right under the brolly. If you want to loop light just push the brolly left or right.

A 5 in 1 reflector gives you, ermm, a reflector, and also a diffuser, so lots of versatility. Your model can hold the reflector, so you only need one light stand!
 
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