Help needed! this is a very long and boring post! need to get started into this!

I know this isnt directly a Modelling section of the forum, or anything like it, but this is where i see the best modelling photos so i guess i am good by asking it here!

I have been photographing since i was 18 or so, that doesnt make it for too long, 6 years or so, but i've been enjoying my landscape/travelling photography, and i think i've achieved a fairly decent quality on my pictures! as you can see at http://www.redalex.com

now, the thing is, i always wanted to take it to the level of taking pictures of models, or at least friends, which is the case that have came up with, i have asked, informally, a friend of mine to try and have a shoot together, but i have no experience other than the lurking in this forum!

i own Canon 400D, and am recieveing a new 7D this week or the next, and lenses i own a tamron 10-24mm, which i guess it wont be needed at all for what im trying to do, a tamron 17-50 f2.8, a 50mm f1.8 and a canon 70-200 f2.8, also i own a 430ex II external flash, and a wireless trigger thinggy for it so i can shoot it off camera.

have two big questions, first one, where can i read up on the theme so it gives me alot more insight and makes me feel more secure that i will do a good job, not the crappy stuff i see guys tricking girls into photo shooting, with nothing more than a sexual induendo, i dont really wanna make her feel unconfortable with me, not that i want her naked, but still, she will be posing and i'm not sure how to react, or take control of it.

And the second question is what other equipment i should consider necessary to make a very good start at this, i dont mind spending abit of cash on it, as i plan on pursuing this further. I do not have a indoors place that i can call or make a studio, so i must consider outside shoots only, at least for now. Reflector? stuff like that which i can't really link to its names, cause i'm never sure what they mean, there are alot of confusing terms for me when it comes to lighting.

i just recently tried taking a shoot at some friends while they were playing and i think i came up with a decent job, see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexpinto/sets/72157622337180247/

Hoping to read up on your experiences, and i hope i aint too boring about this... thanks in advance on your help!

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http://www.redalex.com

If you want to shoot Time For Print (TFP) with models, take a look at my website here: http://www.blackcanyonsystems.com/Models/

Check out the "About TFP" which gives my workflow for TFP shoots. I try to handle all my photography in a professional manner, and I have had a lot of great responses from the models. In fact a lot of the models I have photographed have become personal friends.

As for equipment for outdoor shoots you can go the strobist route, or the studio light route. I chose the studio light route. I use Alien Bees lights and modifiers, and their Vagabond II power source.

If you chose to go the Strobist route, check out this website: http://strobist.blogspot.com

If you chose to go the studio light route and want help in selecting equipment, send me an email.
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http://www.blackcanyonsystems.com

--
Lawrence

I certainly second taking a look at the strobist site if you want to use hot shoe flashes. Since you already have wireless triggers you might want to add 1 more flash... that way you can work on 1 and 2 light setups... there is so much you can learn working with one and then two lights...

maybe take a look at a kit like

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/425220-REG/Impact_DFUMK_Digital_Flash_Umbrella_Mount.html

this will give you a lot to play around with and practice for under a c note.

As to how to not seem creepy and and not put off a bad vibe to the models you are shooting... this one is really easy... don't be a creepy person. Models have intuition and common sense... if you conduct yourself as an easy going nice person whose motivation is to practice shooting and working with light and posing the models will pick up the good honest vibe. If your motivation is less than decent the models will pick up on that. It is just like any human interaction... your true colors will shine through. My best advice would be not to take things too seriously... don't put too much pressure on yourself or the model... have a good sense of humor... when you are both having fun with the shoot and you are both comfortable you will get the best images.
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Dan Scheele
Hermosa Beach, California, USA

I have just started getting into portrait photography over the last 3-4 years and here is what I have done....

First I searched all over the web: here at dpreview, fredmiranda, lighting-essentials, strobist, etc for pictures that I liked. Then I looked for those that explained how they captured the image. (ie... natural light, reflector, off camera flash, studio strobe, combination of all of these, etc) Along the way I learned a lot about light placement, posing, studio lighting techniques, post processing, etc.

Everything that I found that I liked I printed out. I then created an idea book crammed full of images and another book full of techniques & post processing tips.

Then I decided what type of shots I liked the most and what equipment was needed to achieve these kind of images. I first bought a mini softbox for my 430EX flash, then a reflector, and then a year later my very first studio light. Today I have more equipment then I care to even think about!

Now when I find someone that wants their pictures taken we arrange a meeting days before the shoot. We look through my images idea book and together we decide what we would like to try to capture. I always have something new I want to try and they may see something that they especially like. I do not have images in my idea book that I can not achieve with the equipment I currently have. I ask them if they have any images that they have seen and depending upon the equipment needed we may be able to try a similiar shot. There is a variety of images in my notebook, but all are tasteful and nothing I would be ashamed to show someone else.

We talk about how the right clothing is going to make or break an image and how important it is to not go overboard with make up. I get to know them and find out their interests so that I can have something to talk to them about on the day of the shoot. Often in the evenings I will drive around the area looking for different locations and watching where the sun is and where I would place a subject if I were doing a shoot.

My opinion and method has always been to start with what I can do with what I have and then add more equipment as I grow and my needs, experience, & knowledge increase. This is a life long hobby for me so this method works well.

On the day of the shoot I have already thought out at least the first 6 or so poses and the lighting requirements to achieve the images I am trying to capture. I almost always start out with the ones that the subject especially liked and end with the ones that I wanted to try. Unless a complicated lighting set up is required which I will have set up before they arrive. I take several images and allow them to become comfortable in front of the camera before I show them the back of my camera. Once they see that I am trying to make them look their very best, they begin to relax and there becomes a partnership in the shoot. I keep my idea book handy if things are going well and we want to keep shooting.

Sorry for the long post... it really was more than I intended to say but as I said I am doing this for fun and I guess I am having fun!

John
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Feel free to use any of these additional letters to correct the spelling of words found in the above post: a-e-t-n-d-i-o-s-m-l-u-y-h-c If you find any extra letters, please place them here for future use...

There is a lot to learn, just don't try to eat the whole elephant in one meal.

Several have suggested the Strobist and I concur with that advice. There are links to some good tutorials on my website, several hours invested in these will pay big dividends. Consider spending some $$$ on some of the books listed there too, as they come in handy for learning, reference, and inspiration before a shoot.
http://www.ttl-biz.com/g/links

My Studiography blog has a tutorial on light that will give you some background. It may be stuff you already know, but if you have not spent time studying lighting, you may find it worth a read. Follow the link at the bottom of the article (before comment section) to the next post.
http://studiography.blogspot.com/2009/04/light-quantitybrightnessintensity.html

As for your interaction with the model, treat your subject with propriety and respect. I try to not need to touch the subject, but when needed, I always ask permission before moving an arm, shoulder or whatever and am very careful maintain a professional and purposed demeanor. A good model will automatically position for good form, which makes the photographer's job easier. However, it can also give a false sense of accomplishment. It is better to know good posing and not need to pose than to not have that knowledge when you need it. In this regard, study and experience are your friend.

I don't know what you have in mind for themes and frankly, your statement about sexual innuendo has me concerned (hopefully without cause). If you are planning on making fine art photographs using the body as a pliant form, then I suggest you are not ready and should first learn lighting and posing, then apply it to a legitimate use. I don't mean to implicate you of immoral motives. However, if you are planning on producing soft porn or worse, then I suggest talking with the young lady's (model's) parents and ask them how they feel about their daughter being depicted this way (this is a pet peeve of mine, I'll get off the soap box now).

You have enough lighting power to start. I really recommend starting with a single flash in a bounce umbrella, as it is one of the easiest setups to use, yet provides good light. You want to learn how light placement affects shadows and falloff. After that, add a reflector for fill. Next you might try using a shoot-through umbrella and from there, move on to other light modifiers of various size, shape, and design.

This should give you a good starting point. I will be interested to hear how things turn out.

-Gene L.
http://www.ttl-biz.com
http://www.studiography.blogspot.com

It sounds like you have little experience with:

a) working with models
b) outdoor / indoor lighting

Everybody seems to be pushing the 'strobist' (flashgun) solution and this could well be the best option.

However, as it's going to be your first 'model shoot', I'd suggest that you might be biting off a lot in trying to master how to work with the model, pose the shots you want, whilst trying to get to grips with flash lighting at the same time.

My suggestion is to try to use natural light if there's enough available. Perhaps just you, the model and a reflector. Study the direction of the light and see the effect it has on your shots.

What do you think?

Paul
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Paul Jones
http://www.pauljones.org

Oh, dont worry! i think i didnt put my words very well, i just see some stuff, some guys trying to lure girls into "photography" that endup being nothing more than their attempt to see some naked women. it just grosses me horrible, and makes me be abit more afraid to start doing something similar, as i have no intents of it and just wanna learn and be the best i can. no other intents, i just think those guys put people like me abit to shame.

Gene L. said:

I don't know what you have in mind for themes and frankly, your statement about sexual innuendo has me concerned (hopefully without cause). If you are planning on making fine art photographs using the body as a pliant form, then I suggest you are not ready and should first learn lighting and posing, then apply it to a legitimate use. I don't mean to implicate you of immoral motives. However, if you are planning on producing soft porn or worse, then I suggest talking with the young lady's (model's) parents and ask them how they feel about their daughter being depicted this way (this is a pet peeve of mine, I'll get off the soap box now).

Click to expand...

--
http://www.redalex.com

So far, thanks for the awesome responses, the help has been amazing here and i'm quite overwhelmed! didnt expect this many good responses!

I've been reading strobist site mostly on the last few days but the ammount of information is huge that is hard to get it all understood, there are still so many terms that are still strange to me that i am trying to cope.

another great idea was making a scrapbook with good information i can use and with photos i like and how they were shot, checking out what pleases me and learning to "reproduce" them my way.

I think i've settled down to a umbrella + stand and a reflector for now, then i will grow along considering my needs and checking out what i like and what i dont like. so far, so good!

again, thanks for the great responses, keep them comming! looking forward for your insight from those that know!

http://www.redalex.com

This might be more than what you want right now, but take a look at

http://www.photovisionvideo.com/

I bought a subscription at an Ed Pierce seminar and love it. They have a sale going on right now, so it's $39 for the subscription. The info on the DVDs covers a lot of material like marketing and post-production, but what I find most useful is watching well known pros work a session with a model or a client. Not only do I pick up tips on lighting and props, but it is invaluable to see how these guys and gals work, and what a properly trained model can do as well!

Good luck, and post some samples...
--
Bill
http://www.shoeflystudios.com

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago. I had some experience photographing my grandkids. I initially found Craigslist to be a godsend. I picked up a couple of cheap paying gigs top get some experience. I advertised for models and received several responses and built my portfolio to the point where I could post it on Model Mayhem. I have gotten to the point where I accept very few TF shoots and actually make some money.

Some hints:

First be professional. That means a professional attitude, being at the site on time ready to shoot, getting the results to the model in a timely fashion, etc.

Second be willing to shoot guys. Everyone wants to shoot beautiful women, but guys can make great models. The best model I ever had was a guy. I gave him some nice pictures. A couple of months after the shoot, he sent me e-mail asking if I would be willing to do an Adam and Eve shoot with and another model. A few months after that he sent me an e-mail asking if I would do a shoot with him and his pregnant girl girlfriend who was due the next week. We did some of that shoot nude and it is still one of my favorites.

Third, do most of your initial work in a public location. Models, especially, women, want to feel safe. To that end, I also like to meet with models prior to the shoot to discuss the puroose of the shoot.

Fourth, encourage escorts--makes the model feel safe.

Fifth, be funny and don't take yourself too seriously. One thing I learned early on was to make the primary goal of a shoot to have fun. I had a guy who came to me wanting just one really good picture. He put so much pressure on himself and me to get that picture, that one good picture was all he got. I had another model who doing her first shoot with me. It was clear from the e-mail conversation that she was putting too much pressure on herself to be a great model for me. I told her to ease up and have the following goals, have fun and learn something from the shoot. She relaxed, and we got some great pictures.

Seventh, if you are interested in shooting nudes pay. I have had models shoot nude for free, but on occasion I have hired them. I can get a really good experienced model for $150.00 for a two hour shoot. The advantage of an experienced model is that they pose themselves and I learn a lot about posing in the process.

Sixth, in terms of equipment, don't overthink stuff. Outdoors I use a 5D, 24-105f4L ISof 70-200 f2.8L IS with a 580 EXII in fill mode.

You can see examples of some of my model shoots at http://www.pbase.com/jcassatt/models

--
Jim
http://www.pbase.com/jcassatt

Alex Pinto said:

Oh, dont worry! i think i didnt put my words very well, i just see some stuff, some guys trying to lure girls into "photography" that endup being nothing more than their attempt to see some naked women. it just grosses me horrible, and makes me be abit more afraid to start doing something similar, as i have no intents of it and just wanna learn and be the best i can. no other intents, i just think those guys put people like me abit to shame.

Click to expand...

I get in these moods sometimes and then step up on my soap box... must take my meds ;-) The rest of the post has some seriously good stuff that will benefit you. Best of luck, and do report back with some images.

-Gene L.
http://www.ttl-biz.com
http://www.studiography.blogspot.com