7/1 – 7/7

Title: Almost Twins, Yet Not
Models: Brianna Case, Mallory Lovcsanyi
Hair Styles: Donna Latino
Makeup By: Marcela Tobar
Primary Assistant: Melanie Jones
Creative Partner: Lexy Page
Camera: Nikon D610
ISO: iso-100
F14
Speed: 1/160
 
Disclaimer: No they are not twins, nor even sisters.
 
This was an attempt to shoot beauty outdoors. Something we’ve never attempted before. We accomplished this shoot with the following equipment.
2 C-stands
1 PLM Umbrella
1 Beauty Dish with Sock
1 Large reflector behind the models
A posing table
1 Medium reflector on the posing table
 
We shot in Lexy’s backyard. Also, we had to keep moving in order to keep to the shadows. So things we learned.
 
Move the reflector back
May need to use use a larger white diffuser for the background
May need to put a light on the background

PHOTOGRAPHERS. ANSWERING THE QUESTION – WHY YOUR PHOTOS SUCK?

We’ve all seen the photographs of photographers who lack skill. They post blah photos of girls that are distorted, out of focus, have flat lighting and mediocre poses. Most of these models have an expression that says they would rather be anywhere else.

There is a very good reason for that. The photographer didn’t have a plan. Piss poor planning leads to piss poor performance. Want to shoot better? Here’s how.

1. Train your artistic eye to recognize what is working.
a. Learn to read the light – direction, intensity
b. Learn to read the pose – does it work and is it flattering to the subject
c. You can’t fix shitty lighting in Photoshop
2. Refrain from trying to make the model look sexy
a. Ass shots are crass shots
b. No crotch shots
c. Models squatting look like they are taking a dump
d. Duck face – I’m not sure who thought that was sexy, but no
3. Learn how to use your frigging camera.
a. ISO, fstop, Camera speed all go together to make the shot
b. Learn about exposure
4. Look at the whole scene, not just the hot girl
a. Check for tree limbs and other junk coming out of her head in the shot.
b. Is the composition correct?
c. If her chest is in focus, but her face is blurry, then get your head out of the gutter.
d. look for bright spots in the background that will pull your eye away from the subject.

Other things to look at
Wardrobe – does it look stupid or demeaning
Hair & makeup – these can make or break a photo shoot
Environment – Don’t let it distract from the subject

I spend hours doing a dry run for a photo shoot on paper. I collect photos of poses to show the model or give direction. I look at the lighting in photos and figure out what I like and don’t like.

I loved working with her. Mostly, her eyes are extremely expressive and really showed her inner beauty in these shots. She was a lot of fun to work with. She wasn’t very experienced, but she was a natural model able to move around and change poses without direction. We’ve worked with her a few times, and she always brought her A-Game.