Help me create photos like these please :)

D

danihartley

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Danielle
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Hi guys,

I am a basic beginner in the world of photography and I need your expertise and skills to help guide me to recreate these photos.

I have just started my own online business selling clothes I make myself and I would really like to style my pictures EXACTLY like these ones.

I have a white brick wall ( just like in these pictures) and need some help with the camera and lighting they use.

Many thanks in advance for your advice.


Dani from Manchester

Here are the pictures below:

http://www.chinadollboutique.com/product/talia-bronze-sequin-v-back-dress

http://www.chinadollboutique.com/product/talia-black-sequin-v-back-dress

http://www.chinadollboutique.com/product/nicki-black-sequin-shorts

http://www.chinadollboutique.com/product/nicola-chunky-blue-knitted-cardigan

http://www.chinadollboutique.com/product/becky-cream-and-metallic-gold-jumper
 
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I am a complete novice, I do apologise if I dont understand.

What are catchlights?

Many thanks,

Dani
 
I did not take these pictures, these is just a clothing brand I found online and I really like there photos. Just want to see if its possible to create this style myself.

Many thanks,

Dani :)
 
Catchlights are where the light has reflected in the models eyes or in jewellery etc. I think!! I'm no expert :-/

The reason the person above hasn't explained it all is you will learn more just by experimenting and by searching these things for yourself - it makes it harder, but rather than asking for a tutorial on how to do these you'd be better off taking some photos and asking for some critique and assistance from there.

:) having it handed to you on a platter will mean you don't really learn anything for yourself. I'm now at the point where I will take notes on every photo I take (that's a keeper) in a notebook so I can recreate it at a later date. That may be a good idea for you too?
 
Thanks, I will try.

It is hard as I am self employed and do not really have time to get the pictures wrong and experiment as its my livelihood, also I still need to buy the camera and photography lighting kit ( getting the wrong one could cost me alot of time and money).

All i need is some guidelines as to the type of camera and lighting kit they may have used.

I have found this 'Behind the scenes' picture of them during the shoot. I am not sure if this helps.

Thanks,

Dani

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...44808872.39381.125070324247781&type=1&theater
 
I dont want to sound harsh or mean in anyway,

But I dont think you will be happy with the results if some one on here says "you need to buy a 40D and 15-50mm lens, this many light stand and this many flashes then set them up here here and here and press the shutter then put it in photoshop and do X Y and Z"

If thats the type of answer your after? (please correct me if thats not the case)

These photographs have presumably been taken by a professional hired to do the job or atleast someone with a knowledge and experience suitable to produce the quality of image required for this commercial purpose.

If this is you lively hood and you need these pictures to help sell your products then you either need to invest in a camera and lighting system and the time and or training to produce results that can properly do justice to your work

OR

you need to hire a professional or semi-proffesional photographer to come in and take these images and edit them to the standard you want.

What im trying to say, in the nicest possible way is - buying a camera and some lights and then asking what to do isnt going to get you good commercially viable photos its going to get you frustrated and most likely not be a smart investment unless you really take the time to develop you photographic skills.

at the end of the day the cost of buying the kit to do it your self may well be more costly than hiring someone to take great photos for you :)

I hope this has helped and you can understand what im trying to say :)
 
No thats fine thank you.

I do appreciate it. This is exactly the sort of thing I need to know.

By telling me this I know not to spend lots on a kit if its obvious they've not been done by a newby like myself.

I shall look into all areas.

Thank you
 
danihartley said:
Thanks, I will try.

It is hard as I am self employed and do not really have time to get the pictures wrong and experiment as its my livelihood, also I still need to buy the camera and photography lighting kit ( getting the wrong one could cost me alot of time and money).

All i need is some guidelines as to the type of camera and lighting kit they may have used.

I have found this 'Behind the scenes' picture of them during the shoot. I am not sure if this helps.

Thanks,

Dani

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...44808872.39381.125070324247781&type=1&theater
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Walk before running.I'm not where I want to be with lighting but know what Im doing and it takes practice.Trial and error,read books ,online tutorials.Just read and read,practice and read some more.
If you are self employed and dont have time to get it wrong etc dont do it yet.
 
With the greatest possible respect, what you're asking for is information that won't help you - it's a bit like asking what type of running shoes Usain Bolt has, or what type of quill pen Shakespear used - neither of which will help you to do anything more than run for a bus or write a note to the milkman.

Those photos are professional. Maybe not outstanding but professional none the less, all are lit competently and some are lit extremely well. And the model is good too.

Sometimes it's possible to look at the image file data for details of the photographer and then contact him and get him to work for you too (those details aren't included in these images). Other than that, the safest bet is just to look around and find a fashion photographer whose work you like. The average portrait or GP photographer can't produce work of that standard, and probably won't have the right network of models either. If you try to economise on this by hiring a non-fashion photographer, or by buying equipment and doing it yourself, you will waste your money.
 
OK Dani I will give this a go. The lighting would appear to be a studio/flash above and to the left of the camera probably fitted with a soft box or umbrella and I would expect there is a white reflector placed on the right. The camera is almost certainly a DSLR fitted with short telephoto/zoom lens. There is also large amount of retouching done in photoshop. The pictures are extremely well done by a very experienced photographer. Can you tell me what equipment/budget you have?
Cheers Rob
 
The reason for my asking the question was to gauge the level of your ability as no matter how detailed an answer given it requires understanding to put into practice.

The shadow is to the models left and down as well as being very soft, the catchlight (bright reflection in eye) is high and the the left of her eyes as we look at the image and is oblong in shape. This would at first glance indicate that a large softbox was used high and to the left of the photographer.

There are no other clue as to what was used at first glance but as Garry would happily point out the best lighting is not that obvious so you have a starting point.

Mike
 
Does anyone else think the focus is slightly out, or depth of field too narrow? On a couple of those shots, the detail on her shirt is a bit too soft for me. Maybe it was intentional to highlight the cardigan/shorts which are the actual product being sold though
 
You maybe better signing up to model mayhem or the likes and putting out a call for a tog and model. You may find somebody willing to work time for print if it would benefit their portfolio . Even maybe offer some clothes samples as an incentive . I'm sure that you would have much better results than having a shot yourself . As mentioned before there's a lot more involved than buying a camera and putting a couple of lights in the room .
 
All you need is a professional model, MUA, a full studio and an understanding of studio photography - then you're good to go.

Alternatively - hire a photographer.

Think of it like this - I'm thinking of buying a sewing machine, how can I produce clothes like this.....

Could you offer that advice, with the certain knowledge I'd be able to follow your guidance and do it as well as you? first time? I can't afford to waste time or money, I'm self employed:shrug:

If that sounds daft to you - you've underestimated photography as a profession.

If it sounds simple - I've overestimated clothing design as a profession.:)
 
Phil V said:
All you need is a professional model, MUA, a full studio and an understanding of studio photography - then you're good to go.

Alternatively - hire a photographer.

Think of it like this - I'm thinking of buying a sewing machine, how can I produce clothes like this.....

Could you offer that advice, with the certain knowledge I'd be able to follow your guidance and do it as well as you? first time? I can't afford to waste time or money, I'm self employed:shrug:

If that sounds daft to you - you've underestimated photography as a profession.

If it sounds simple - I've overestimated clothing design as a profession.:)
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You certainly have a bee in your bonnet Phil :shrug:

I remember when we used to welcome members like this with questions? everyone has aspirations
 
Just Dave said:
You certainly have a bee in your bonnet Phil :shrug:

I remember when we used to welcome members like this with questions? everyone has aspirations
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I dont think Phil was being harsh IMHO, and nor have most of the responses on here.

From the posts the OP has made I think Phil has summed up the situation well, and the OP has acknowledged that they may have underestimated what went into making those photos.

If the OP had been along the lines of ' I want to get a camera to learn about fashion photography so I can photograph my clothing line like this. . . and learn how to take good clothing shots etc etc etc' then a much different response would have been warranted.

But from what I have read the OP wanted to reproduce some photos they had seen but with there clothes in, not learn or develop their photography in anyway.

just my take on the situation, Im not trying to flame or anything I just feel that what Phil said was largely correct and I think the OP will be better of in the long run hiring a competent tog to get the photos they want. . .
 
Just Dave said:
You certainly have a bee in your bonnet Phil :shrug:

I remember when we used to welcome members like this with questions? everyone has aspirations
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I have a cold - it wasn't meant to sound harsh, but it's a big ask from zero to pro studio work in a single bound. I was trying to manage the expectations of the OP. And I thought a comparison with her world might be helpful:shrug:

caveat (it's not something I've particularly tried to do).

I've been shooting (mostly amateur) nearly 30 years and I wouldn't expect to be able to recreate those shots tomorrow afternoon. Maybe tomorrow evening with a pro model and some proper guidance, but it'd take lots of practice with an amateur model and no outside help. Maybe I'm a bit of a slow learner:shrug:

However I did once make a dressing gown:thumbs:
 
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aethelstan927 said:
I dont think Phil was being harsh IMHO, and nor have most of the responses on here.

From the posts the OP has made I think Phil has summed up the situation well, and the OP has acknowledged that they may have underestimated what went into making those photos.

If the OP had been along the lines of ' I want to get a camera to learn about fashion photography so I can photograph my clothing line like this. . . and learn how to take good clothing shots etc etc etc' then a much different response would have been warranted.

But from what I have read the OP wanted to reproduce some photos they had seen but with there clothes in, not learn or develop their photography in anyway.

just my take on the situation, Im not trying to flame or anything I just feel that what Phil said was largely correct and I think the OP will be better of in the long run hiring a competent tog to get the photos they want. . .
Click to expand...

yeah fair enough, I remember 1 member was flamed almost for spending on gear no idea, and look at him now, so there you go. same as PM if you dont know who :thumbs: I bet I could find the first post too
 
I tend to disagree , the lighting inst that great, and the models face looks washed out, and the poses are uninteresting. Taste aside, overall the set appears to be simply lit with one or two large soft-boxes, I would guess that the photographer may have just simply bounced a light off a white ceiling, to get a global soft light. I wouldn't be surprised if at that location there was a lot of natural light coming in from above

As a contrast look at this shot on the same site

http://www.chinadollboutique.com/product/roxy-light-grey-studded-jumper

Here the lighting is a lot harder, and the model looks more defined
 
Where are you based? Maybe someone local could meet up for a chat.
 
Hi Daniele, first of all, well done getting to where you are, making things and then presenting them for sale all by yourself is a special thing, proper self employment:clap:

My two pence worth.
Forget about white backgrounds for presenting products like clothes, very difficult to get 'good enough' at any level of skill, unimaginative, typical, boring and possibly the worst way to show clothing.
This
http://www.chinadollboutique.com/product/melanie-floral-key-print-tie-front-blouse-tp086

looks so much better than this

http://www.chinadollboutique.com/product/talia-bronze-sequin-v-back-dress

You can almost always make an item look more expensive or interesting by using what is around it to add atmosphere.

I think you could do better than more or less all of those shots with a mobile phone let alone proper gear in a studio so don't be too daunted.

For a start none of those shots are 'selling' anything, the clothes are just plonked on that sullen looking model who looks half way through re-hab, possibly useful as the 'before' in a before and after shoot.

Why do you need a model? you don't sell models.

How do all the top shops show their dresses in shop windows. Think about that... Get a good manikin and build a small set.

Then,show them why your clothes are special.

A dressmakers manikin in another fixed set.
Take various shots of all the details you think make your design special with some dialogue explaining what you were trying to achieve etc. perhaps set this manikin thing in front of your working area with all the gubbins of dressmaking in the background, slightly out of focus. Imagine that, get any old camera and shoot anything in that setting, you now have a working sketch of what you want.
You could break down each set of garment shots, say a very close shot of the material texture, a collar, a sleeve....

Layout with asessories shots

Close ups of details are what people wan't to see when they are online, plus it gives them extra seconds to bond with the product,

The other guys will be able to advise you better if they know exactly what you are trying to do, post any old picture of your final 'fixed sets' and it should be a doddle to set you up.

Just one more thing, I think you should approach photographing your hand made clothes as 'in close', precise product photography as opposed to fashion photography.

:)


Listen to Garry, Hoppy and the other guys on here
 
My advice would be to find a Local Photo Studio you can hire hourly. This would normally be around £25 per hour.

Make sure before you book that a friendly person will be on hand to help you and explain what is needed to achieve those shots.

This will give you an idea what equipment is necessary and how best to use it.

Don't forget to take your clothing with you and maybe a friend to model them.
 
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