Photography?

[ethlad]

Hey,

I have a Digital SLR and want to take flattering, sexy pictures (not unlike those in sp's ad)

I figure this is mostly an issue of lighting and having a nice backround. Any tips on how to get the lighting needed or photoshop techniques? Any other tips on how settings etc.?

I'm a photography newbie and would appreciate any help

thanks

 

[a 1 player]

Working on that myself.

This much I do know, natural diffused light works the best as it makes the pictures 'softer' and removes much of the shadows, (I can't afford the damn studio lights, bloody expensive). A REALLY good lens helps as well. So does the softening tool in Photoshop.

 

[onthebottom]

Find attractive subjects... light them well, volume should allow you to take some good pics.

OTB

 

[alexmst]

Someone a while back was talking doing about a Terb photo workshop in the GTA. That would be a great idea. Interested members could pay a fee to participate which would go towards paying for a few nude model's fees. We could pick up pointers from others, learn from experience, try out new lenses/gear, and the models would feel safer working in a group and with a group (as many nude/glamour models I've found avoid working with part-time/amateur photo hobbyists for a number of reasons...usually along the lines of if he doesn't have an industry reputation/portfolio and is part time maybe he just wants to come on to/hit on model types or is looking for sex).

While I do like hitting on model types and having sex (hence my frequenting Terb/the hobby in general lol ) I do treat models I hire to photograph with total professionalism and don't hit on them. A location with natural lighting would be ideal. I'd sign up. I do this (amatuer glam/nude shoots as a hobby) and would be game for a Terb workshop - could be a lot of fun.

 

[HG Hunter]

The Henry's stores offer classes in various aspects of photography.
I've attended a few and was very pleased.

Easy to find on their website under Henry's School of Imaging.

 

[KBear]

I've thought about doing some photo workshops in the summer. Get a pretty girl or two, nice park, some reflectors and stuff, would be fun. Would be galmour, not nude though, as it would be difficult to get the hot girl, and expect her to pose nude in a park, and maintain control. I really like doing outdoor pictures, but don't get to do them very often. Doing these workshops in some place like the Dominican Republic would be more interesting.

There are many things that have to come together to produce good pictures, The model, cloths, make up, location, photographer, lighting. The camera and equipement make little difference unless you are doing things that a point and shoot camera cant do, like when controling depth of field. The slr cameras are much faster to work with, and look more impressive.

The soft focus stuff can be done in Photoshop easily. The challenge is to get the pictures to look good and in focus.

If you want to pop off pics of nude girls, there are workshops available. I learned more by entering contests, being critiqued, and practicing on different things, like ducks, bugs, flowers, etc.

If you want to work with girls, onemodelplace and modelmayhem are good, but being new you are in a catch 22 position, as you need to practice to improve, but no girls will want to work with you until you can produce decent pictures.

 

[viking1965]

Lots of good books out there. Go to your local bookstore and find one with a tone and level of expertise you understand.

DSLR's and their "foolproof" settings are great, but you'll get much more out of it if you understand the "science" behind the art.

Learn about Film Speed (ISO), Aperture (F Stop), and Shutter Speed and how they combine to created Depth of Field. Rarely recognized and appreciated by amatuers, DoF is what makes pictures "pop", especially portraits and sports photography.

The real beauty of the digital media is that you can literally do ALL of the experimenting you want. And that's how you'll learn best.

Good luck with it.

Oh...and learn to take good quality photos with the camera first....before you start screwing around with Photoshop. Too many "semi-professionals" use PS to correct "in camera" mistakes that they shouldn't be making in the first place.

One more thing...a great on-line resource, Digital Grin. www.dgrin.com

 

[lamwi]

I am having these photo workshop or photo shoot out session in my studio. I will set up lighting, studio and model and you will be able to shoot change the lighting. The past 2 sessions is working well. I have 2 more sessions in Feb 09.

 

[BackwardsBret]

Having lots of natural light is great although not something you can always control.

If using flash the first thing is to avoid using the built-in on camera flash. You want a separate flash, either on the hot shoe, or better yet separate from the camera. Did I say a flash? Well often one is not enough. If you want this all modern and automated it will cost a few $$$.

Or if you take the time to learn to use older manual equipment it can be done for a lot less. A good place to start learning is here

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

 

[drrogers]

I always find Photoshop great for fixing all my lousy shots - and you can always creat or drop in a background - all it takes is some careful selection techniques.

 

[aries]

I'm in the same boat as you, I tried doing it on my own but I ended up taking classes at Sheridan. They're excellent teachers and I'm looking forward to the 2 day Photoshop class when I get back from Vegas next week. Just last week we practiced lighting.

 

[alu1]

i also heard the photography courses offered at Humber are worth a look too, they have courses that specializes in different types of photography like portriats, glamour and such. at the moment, i am reading a book called "light, science and magic 3rd edition", its a great read to learn how to shape light to make your picture. at the end of the day, photography is all about the capture of light. The best way to learn is to take pictures and reflects on them afterwards to give motivations to take even better pictures next time.

 

[Damondean]

Some excellent suggestions above.

Shooting girls+women is one thing. Shooting SPs is quite another. Most do not show their faces and the challenge is to make them look as the client will see them without showing the face. Another challenge is to make the pix look sexy. These days, anyone with a digicam can shoot a girl with her bum up in the air on a bed -- or the ladies themselves shoot into a mirror or use their webcams. Some of these are actually good enough for the purpose.

Also, SPs are apprehensive about having their pix circulating on the web -- and rightly so. It's really hard to round up the pix if they retire.

While lighting and background are crucial -- whether natural lights or artificial -- a rapport with the model is even more important.

Workshops are good to start with but the proof of the pudding is the visual idea once you are shooting the model alone.

My 2c.

 

[C Dick]

I have taken many, many photos of women, so I have learned lots of lessons the hard way. My top lessons would be:

- Natural light is best, all my best shots are outside, in the summer.
- An attractive subject is important, but it is also important that she love to have her picture taken. If she loves to show off and can't wait to be naked outside, the results will show it.
- Take lots and lots of pictures, and you will end up with some good ones. I used to spend a lot of time trying to figure out the best shots, now I tend to just fire away, and I end up with more good ones (and way more bad ones too).
- DSLR is so much better than compact, just for the speed alone it is worth it, let alone the quality.
- Work with models you are fucking, then when you see the pictures later you will have good memories, you won't look at it each time and say damn, I wish I had been able to fuck her.

I would definitely be into a Terb photo session, I could probably get a model to participate too.

 

[Master Baiter]

There's an art to doing glamour and fashion work. I've been doing this for a while and if you think you can just grab a camera and focus a light and expect great pics, well you might get lucky with the shotgun approach. Understanding the fundamentals of light and how it affects your images and learning how to control it is part of the key to good photography. If you don't know the difference between aperture and an f-stop from ISO then I suggest taking an intro course to photography like those hosted by Henrys for example.

As Kbear mentioned, any SLR can get you a great shot regardless of how expensive or inexpensive it is. Have a good location, good wardrobe, makeup and lighting are essential. Learning how to manipulate light and the effects you get from using modifiers like softboxes, beautydishes etc etc etc can make an average pic into a WOW pic. It's also beneficial to understand composition, techniques, basic rules like rule of thirds and the golden triangle etc and knowing how and when to break those rules.

Contrary to what some folks think you don't need to buy the greatest and newest and million watt strobes, you can get away with a single off-camera speedlight and a reflector and capture some great images. When your skill level grows and you get more serious, you can start doing 5 or many more studio lights with modifiers etc. I've got over $20K worth of photo equipment but sometimes the simplest combo works best.

If you are already comfortable using an SLR system, there are places like Studio204 and Spectrum Studios that offer entry level workshops on lighting basics and when you are comfortable, you can sign up for the nude workshop.

Just as a precaution and to protect your hide, if you do decide to do glamour/nude shoots with a new model you've just met, always try and have an assistant (makup artist, stylist, friend) on site AND make them sign a model release form. There are some seedy models out there that are all to quick to scream sexual abuse.

And as KBear pointed out, if you do intend on doing glamour/nude shoots, most models would like to see your sample portfolio first before agreeing to do the shoot. Last thing they want is someone taking their photo and doing a bad job at it. Even paid models sometimes have issues with shooting with beginners. The best way to get a portfolio going and your skill level up is to attend a workshop and get lots or practice.

You can rent studios and do your TERB Photo workshop there. If everyone chips in, that would cover the studio rental easily.

Have fun guys. It's THE best way to meet great attractive ladies who are willing to dress down to their knickers or nude for free! AND if you get good enough, heck they even pay you to do it for them!

PS: If you went out and bought a $1000. DSLR and shoot it on Auto mode, you're using $20. worth of your camera. Time to enroll in a workshop.

 

[toughb]

"Master Baiter" is correct in everything he says but I've taken a different approach over the last 30 years.

I always carry my camera with me. I've been lucky in getting gals off the street, so to speak, to pose for me. I have never used a formal studio because it's not the way I work.

Experience in using the camera and knowing what to shoot and where is key. I've shot dancers from the Trinity clubs and have used places like The White Knight in a pinch.

It's fun but if you're doing this to get girls you're in for trouble. Gals trust me and I don't disappoint them. I keep it professional and, as stated, if you're going to publish the photos get that release up front.

Camera - I use Canon S3 IS. This is a digital with image stabilizer, fully adjustable and has a built in flash. Works for the amateur or professional. Cost about $500.

Good luck guys....

 

[alexmst]

I just got some prints back from a nude shoot I did - I wanted to see if the Nikon D3 (12MP) could make high quality blow ups so I selected a few shots from my 5x7 proofs from last year and ordered them in 20"x30" and 30"x40" size as a resolution test. I was impressed - at 20" x 30" the details are crisp and no worse to my eye than 35mm film blown up to that size. Same for 30"x40". I almost never go bigger than 20"x30", so for me a 12MP camera is enough. Not that I have any real need for 20"x30 "nude prints - I usually print in either 5"x7" or 8"x10" size so I can put the best prints in albums to show to prospective models I want to hire. Also, for models who want prints from the shoot, 8"x10" is usually big enough to give them.

 

[newguy27]

If you are already comfortable using an SLR system, there are places like Studio204 and Spectrum Studios that offer entry level workshops on lighting basics and when you are comfortable, you can sign up for the nude workshop.

MB, i've already got a lot of the basics of lighting coming along. HOw advanced would i need to be to take a model workshop without embarrassing myself? i dont want to waste money on going over basic lighting...

 

[Master Baiter]

MB, i've already got a lot of the basics of lighting coming along. HOw advanced would i need to be to take a model workshop without embarrassing myself? i dont want to waste money on going over basic lighting...

If you know the basics of your camera and how to use them and basic knowledge in lighting, by all means sign up for the nude workshop. It's usually a max of 3 photographers. The Studio204 is cheaper and Philip covers the basics of flash work so you'll get a recap. Then at the end it turns into a free-for-all shoot and you can pose etc your model how you like (artistically of course). Spectrum Studios is a little more advanced but you pay more.

ToughB is right. If you're getting into this to meet girls, you're going to get into a lot of trouble and fast. These girls know a creep/perv pretty quickly. You need to be very professional at all times and conduct yourself accordingly. If you're getting a woody in the middle of your shoot, you're not concentrating hard enough at taking your pics but fantasizing instead! I've done 8-12hr studio shoots and by the end of the day, most times I've managed to skip lunch and at the end, I'm mentally exhausted.

I've blown up pics with my 1D Mark III up to 30x40 and some odd 36x50 with good results. The blowups from my 5D Mark II is a bit sharper compared to the 1D at 30x40. Doesn't hurt to have 24/7 access to 60" wide printers.
Having good glass helps!

 

[wonderboy007]

Well I'm going to have to put my words into here. For the last poster, I'd rather do Medium Format than use that camera for something that large to work with.


To do good photography, I mean, really good, you're going to need experience, and use professional equipment. You can't be cheap when you want to do high quality. You get what you pay for, end of story.

Most CMOS or CCD sensors do not have a 35mm field of view. Therefor, a Field Length Multiplier exists, and older lenses have a higher focal length value when dealing with this because of the smaller field of view. Usually 1.5X the difference between a 35mm plane, and a digital sensor.

Most DSLR's have the focusing mechanism built into the camera. The AF-S Servo is great to constantly focus on a object while it is moving.

The lens is the most important piece of element of a camera. This is what focuses the light to a single point. Digital fanatics worry about pixels when pixels are just dots. It's how they're used which makes the difference.

I find you need a high quality DSLR to get good results due to chromatic noise on higher level ISO sensitives. Some of the noise, can be fine, or it can be coarse by measuring the deviation point.

So people out there, if you're going to do high contrast photography, be prepared to make a 32bit HDR image file because the latitude of digital only has around 8 stops, and most of that isn't even in the highlight part of the tonal range.

Photoshop takes years to master...

So first steps. Professional lighting, sync cord, know how to model your objects using lights.
Shoot RAW mode. RAW mode preserves detail and less artifacts occur than saving in JPEG, allows more control over processing in photoshop.

One of the best cameras that I've used was a Hassleblad Camera. It currently cost $35,000. Good Luck