Shooting on Location help

JakeT1992

JakeT1992

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Hi all,

Out of no where, my facebook page has had a spike of views, and two people are booked in for paid photoshoots.

The first is a male, 19, with photos for his modelling portfolio.
The second is female, 21, with a fashion portfolio shoot.

Both will be shot on location (still trying to plan where), but I was wondering what to do about lighting, is it worth buying a flashgun, or reflectors for the natural light? I don't have much idea what I'm doing, from previous attempts I've been told that the eyes are in shadow too much, but I don't know how to correct this?

Here is my previous attempts - http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaketurner92/sets/72157628981568781/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaketurner92/sets/72157627826645402/with/6244133130/

Any advice on what equipment to use would be very helpful!

I shoot using a 50mm prime for portraits if this helps at all :shrug:

Many thanks in advance!

Jake
 
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Hi Jake,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are accepting paid commissions, these are not the questions I would expect the photographer to be asking.

Light is by it's nature a variable and therefore you need to know how to cope with the changes on the fly.

You need to be able to cope with lighting from in front, behind and both sides, where to use direct flash or fill flash and how to adjust flash output and exposure compensation.

A paid shoot is not the place to learn how to use on or off camera flash and reflectors.

Buy the equipment and go out and practice lots, perhaps even sign up for a lighting course.

Then do a few free shoots to build a portfolio, then charge.
 
PsiFox said:
Hi Jake,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you are accepting paid commissions, these are not the questions I would expect the photographer to be asking.

Light is by it's nature a variable and therefore you need to know how to cope with the changes on the fly.

You need to be able to cope with lighting from in front, behind and both sides, where to use direct flash or fill flash and how to adjust flash output and exposure compensation.

A paid shoot is not the place to learn how to use on or off camera flash and reflectors.

Buy the equipment and go out and practice lots, perhaps even sign up for a lighting course.

Then do a few free shoots to build a portfolio, then charge.
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks for commenting.

Just to clarify, I haven't asked for money, they've offered to pay for my time, it's only a small amount, but after what you've said I may kindly decline the offer and shoot for free :)

What sort of equipment would you reccomend buying?

Thanks

Jake
 
The simplest option is using natural lights and reflectors.
You can get them from ebay/amazon and they frequently have zip up panels to change the quality of the reflected light (gold and silver are 2)
 
PsiFox said:
The simplest option is using natural lights and reflectors.
You can get them from ebay/amazon and they frequently have zip up panels to change the quality of the reflected light (gold and silver are 2)
Click to expand...

Thank you! I'll look into them this evening.
Thanks again for your help.
 
Start with those then move to flash units, first one then 2 or more then use on or off camera with triggers then light modifiers.

Have look here as well

http://www.strobist.blogspot.co.uk/
 
No worries, just remember it is important to get it right, because if you do a good job you may get recommendations passed on to others, thus increasing income potential. Cock it up and you won't.
 
I'd plump for a reflector (make a cheap one from some foamboard and silver foil at the very least)
Why not join a meetup group like http://www.meetup.com/foto-graph/
and get some experience?
 
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PsiFox said:
No worries, just remember it is important to get it right, because if you do a good job you may get recommendations passed on to others, thus increasing income potential. Cock it up and you won't.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all your help, I've ordered some reflectors!
 
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