Studio attempt....

[Rudi Venter]

I seldom do studio work (though I would like to) but I was asked to shoot a portfolio for a friend recently. Here is one of the photos

Thanks for looking,
Rudi

 

[Hamish Gill]

Its is certainly well exposed and well framed!
Although the style isn't to my taste as such...
.... but my portrait work is almost always a lot darker so that i suspect is a personal taste thing
it looks a touch "80's/ early 90's" in style ... is that intentional? of course i have no idea what is in style in south africa ...
maybe its the mottled backdrop? ....
but yeah, as i say, exposure, framing, sharpness all spot on for the type of shot

 

[Rudi Venter]

Hi Hamish.

The specific style/background was as requested by the modeling agent, they seem to want a consistent style as they claim it makes it easier for them to market the models using only photos that way. They provided the studio, backdrop and makeup artist. I only pressed the button This particular girl just had an offer for a contract in NY......

Like I said, I am a bit out of my depth, but when a (cute) friend asks who am I to say no?

Thanks for looking!

 

[Hamish Gill]

It must just be "in vogue" in South Africa... the early 90's does seem to be repeating on us over here too

In terms of just pressing the button as you put it ... you have certainly hit the nail on the head!

and yeah "but when a (cute) friend asks who am I to say no?" ... why would you

 

[Rudi Venter]

They showed me lots of photos from their collection of other models and they were all similar, maybe they started this in the 90's and never changed

Does limit the photographer a bit though. I have a shoot coming soon with another friend but she wants her own style, both studio and some in nature, need to study some other photographers work first.....

Thanks for the comments!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Im sure i dont need to say but... I think the most important thing is understanding how to achieve what you want to achieve ... if you understand the technical aspect of what you are doing then then your own style will just show through in the images...

as for studio work and my personnal learning curve ....this video was where i started - great tips on single light shooting

[video=youtube;uH84-pA7p-c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH84-pA7p-c&feature=channel_video_title[/video]

but youtube in general is a great resource for picking up tips and working out what you want to do and how to do it "properly"
after that if im honest i probably have forgotten most of what i have watched on youtube and just tend to use my own "instincts" to know what is best, but watching as much as i could was a great help in getting to grips with what i was doing and most importantly, and most in answer to your comment "need to study some other photographers work first" - It helped me work out what I personally wanted to achieve!

 

[Rudi Venter]

Great stuff Hamish! Thanks!

Yes, I need to figure out what I want, a style or a look and then work on the "how" to get it. I think this next shoot will give me the freedom to play around a bit and try a few things as this is more informal and the model is keen to try new things as well.

Thanks for the help !