Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi folks.

I've signed up with a small group of people to participate in a "studio" session with some professional models. This is a first for me but I was motivated by the "experience" and of course to learn a bit about this type of photography. The company is supplying all the lighting equipment, backgrounds, models, etc. etc.

I wanted to hear from people that have been to sessions like this and ask that you share any tips you might have from equipment suggestions like which lenses you recommend bringing, camera settings, etc. Also things such as how to "work" with a model in a studio environment and anything else that I should keep in mind.

I have a Nikon D7000 with the grip. I was thinking about bringing my 17-55 2.8 but wasn't sure about other lens choices. I have the 35 1.8; 60 2.8G; 85 1.5D; 70-300VR (a bit too long I would think!) Sigma 10-20 and the 18-105VR.

My apologies if my description of the event is not sufficiently detailed. Please let me know if you require any further information.

Your replies will be most welcome!

Thank you.

Bring the wide zoom, and the 85mm

Few things... I don't own a D7000 but from pics I have seen on the net, there doesn't seem to be a PC socket on the D7000 so if you are using strobes hopefully someone has PW or someother similar type device.

Set you white balance to flash or daylight when you're using the strobes AWB can get messed up otherwise.

If you have a tripod I would bring that as holding your camera can get tiring and it also helps getting nice sharp pics.

stick with the 17-55 and focus instead on learning the lighting set ups, interaction with the models, etc. Dont worry about switching lenses, focal lengths, etc.

The workshop hosts should teach you tips in lighting and working with the models.

you should have rented Choppers studio... it comes with the lights and studio lights tutorial... and if you're nice, she'll provide gorgeous models..

Thank you for your reply.

I understand the 85mm recommendation however the wide zoom I don't. Meaning the 10-20? If so, wouldn't that exaggerate the model's facial features?


Thanks for the suggestions! Yes, the studio is providing the PWs. A tripod for a studio shoot? Hmmm, interesting....never even considered that (just assumed I'd be pretty mobile during the shoot).


I'm assuming that I'll be shooting around the 50mm mark most of the time but the zoom will give some nice flexibility.

I'm going to try not to act like a "guy" around these beautiful women (I believe the company is using Ford Models).


Is that so?! I will certainly keep that in mind!

Again, thanks very much for your feedback. Hopefully I won't be a total train wreck for this thing!

Sounds like you are receiving some conflicting information .. such is the Internet .. use your best judgement.

Here are my suggestions. In terms of choosing from the lenses you have I would go with the 18-105VR since you don't need a fast lens for a studio setting and it should give you some reach if need be for tight shots. You should be shooting in manual and hopefully the session organizers will explain the ins and outs of the settings to use. When dealing with the models always be respectful and friendly. Be yourself and be easy going. Research different poses you would like the model to try and print them out and bring to the session. If you have trouble explaining a pose to the model then it will help to show them a picture of what you are after. If you are not comfortable asking for specific poses ask the models to free pose (take it upon themselves to try different poses). When free posing I usually tell the model to have fun and change the pose as she sees fit. If I like a certain pose they do I will ask them to hold that pose so I can take a few shots. Have fun.

Oh, one more basic thing. Typically I focus on the eyes (half shutter depress) and then recompose the shot. This way the eyes are always sharp.

I'm guessing I'll probably be at 1/125 so yes, the slower 18-105 should do just find and the range is very appealing (it's a very sharp lens - not bad at all for a kit)

I'm probably most worried about not making an a$$ of myself with the pretty models - I'm half hoping they won't be too pretty! Thanks for the reminder to keep it cool.

Really appreciate the feedback on how to prepare for and handle the models and poses, etc. Nice pointers.



Thanks! How about your AF setting? Do you just use single point or do you use any of the multi focus settings?

Your shutter speed in studio typically stays at your maximum flash sync speed, which is 1/250 for the D7000 I believe. You should only be playing around with ISO and aperture.

I always use single point af when shooting in studio and remember to turn off burst shooting mode or whatever they call it in Nikon terms so that you are taking multiple shots when you depress the shutter button.

+1

Edit

I'll touch on some of the model interaction stuff...

Rule #1, NEVER touch the model...if there's a stray hair mention it, and they'll just usually shake their head to get rid of it.

Rule #2, if you have to touch the model refer to Rule #1...kidding, always ask FIRST, don't get into a model's personal space without saying you're going to..."i'd like some closeups if that's alright".

Giving directions can be difficult at first since you may think left mean right.

Compliment the model, "that's great, hold that pose"...but don't sound like "Austin Powers" (like "make love to the camera").

Don't say negative things like, "that looks ugly"...instead take a couple of pictures without comment, and then tell them the next pose you want.

What to do with hands are always the most difficult thing...if they are experienced they will know what to do. Otherwise look out for tension (where the skin starts lightening up due to the tension).

If you need to fiddle with your camera or a light, tell them to RELAX...you don't want them to hold a pose when you have to take a minute to change memory cards.

Relax, you're there to get an introduction to that type of photography...it takes a few times to get good at it and coordinate everything.

Really why??

I would never go to a model shoot without a good portrait lens and wide angle lens are specialty lenses when it come to modelling with real models. The 18-105vr is much closer to a general purpose lens if you are going to go for one lens does all.

You should also consider the 85 as that is usually considered a portrait lens (I don't no the specs on your lens) and part of studio work is learning to control lighting and focus for shallow DOF for half body and head shots.

Actually just taking your 35 f1.8 and 85mm lenses would teach you more then with any zoom lens and possibly give you better results.

Many photographers will have different preferences...I prefer starting with 80mm and going up from there. The lens I typically use is an 80-300mm, although I'm using the lower end of that range. I've tried with my 28-108mm, but I've found I've stuck around 108mm and it's typically not good to use the extreme ends of the zoom range.

I agree about the preference bit but with a D7000 crop factor sensor most small studios don't have enough room to work with longer telephoto lenses except for face shots and even if you could get back far enough for a full body shot that much compression might not be ideal, remember this is his first time. I guess he could take everything but that would be confusing.

With crop factor factored in 35mm (I prefer a slightly more telephoto 50mm) is pretty much a standard body lens and 85 standard portrait lens.

Talk to the model - always! They have no idea how they look to the camera. Even the prettiest model can be insecure, occassionaly show them shots you have taken. If you have them in a pose that is not flattering, simply move them on to a new pose, don't be negative about the pose that did not work all that well.

It is an interaction between the two of you and the better the interaction, the better the shots.

Don't break the flow, shoot and only occassionly chimp, if you do a shot, chimp, shot, chimp, I find that zaps the energy from the shoot.

Watch the other photographers and learn what poses work for them, you may see something that you had not thought of before.

Have fun!

Turn on some music! But not too loud cause you want the model to hear you. lol

When I shot in a pro studio first time I brought my 16-85. The 85mm barely reached. My friend, who had a D700, put his 70-300 VR on. Most shots, waist up, were done with the 70-300 at around 200. That's because in studio, with all the lights set up, you will have to stand behind them. SO you will be about 15 feet or soaway from the model. If you want to get her whole body inthe shot, you will need to be at about 85mm. If you just want her portrait, then you may need to go to 200 mm .

It all depends on how far away you are from the model. For your first shoot, don't bother with the tripod. YOu guys / girls are all going to be taking 5 minute turns and moving around a lot in that time to try to get as much shots as possible. After all, it's your first shoot and you are going to feel like you have to get as much experience in as you can.

One more thing, whatever you do , don't say anything about their derrier!

Not for the first few shoots until you get comfortable with shooting this. The instructor probably won't allow it anyway.

I dont necessarily disagree but the 17-55 2.8 is a beauty of a lens and with the crop sensor will give you portrait lens focal lengths as well. When you take primes, you have to move around for positioning and depending on the lay out of the set up and studio and where all the other participants are standing (maybe in your way), it's probably better to have a lens that can zoom a bit so you wont have to worry too much about spacing and where you are standing. I think the point of the shoot is to learn the interaction, lighting, etc. rather than worrying about changing focal lengths with primes.

Obviously, if you have full control of the space and lighting set ups, you can work easier with primes. And no one to trip over as well! ha

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to provide such valuable feedback and advice. It came in very handy today!

Took a morning and afternoon course - the day was delayed a bit by the poor weather and a subway "jumper" (one of the models was taking the subway).

The morning session had 8 people and the afternoon had 10 - both groups were excellent! I was certainly one of the least experienced people there but it was quite a supportive and non-judgmental environment which made for an educational and very enjoyable day! Really was a fun experience.

For about 75% of the day I used my 17-55 2.8 as I found that range to be quite agreeable with most of what we were shooting. I only used one other lens - the 85 1.8 - which I was very pleased with as well.

I just wanted to post one quick pic I took earlier today. Again, this was my first time in this situation (dealing with models, lighting equipment, pocket wizards, etc. etc.) but I thought this one came out okay. I'd be very interested in your thoughts about what is right and/or wrong about the shot.

Many thanks!

17-55; f/14; 1/125; ISO 200

great that you had a good time! Shooting with people is addictive because the interaction part of it is a lot of fun!!

8-10 photographers? Must have been a bit crowded, ha

If you want feedback on your photo, you should put it in the Critique sub-forum.

yeah, post it and we'll tear it apart Looks like you'll get hooked on studio photography

You mean you'll tear it apart.

Precisely

Okay PotatoEYE! Have at it!!

http://tpmg.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?p=170517#170517

haha