Fashion Shoot

[davidc]

I like the last one.

Out of interest, what quality level are you saving your jpgs at, they seem to be suffering a bit from compression? 100k is tiny and I don't think such a low quality file shows your work in the best light.

[Mike Farley]

I like the last one.

+1

[davidb]

+1

Me too!

The second shot is a bit moody and the monochrome seems to suit it.


For such a much shot model she must have been expensive to hire!!

[Mata]

Out of interest, what quality level are you saving your jpgs at, they seem to be suffering a bit from compression? 100k is tiny and I don't think such a low quality file shows your work in the best light.

At the moment I am just using pixel count to fit the forum size. The quality as you have already mentioned diminishes rather quickly. If you look at the high res and forum size, there is no comparison. It’s an issue I tend to resolve by end of March when I start to work on my website as well as creating accounts on Flickr and 500px. I will also re-edit all the images I am going to use online again to raise their standard.

+1

For such a much shot model she must have been expensive to hire!!

Expensive? Yes but I see it as an investment. I am starting to get involved with some commercial studios in east London so I am meeting more professional people, Photographers and Models. So you never know a door may open??

[Mata]

The model below, Nina, was here for a short stay from America. I loved the symmetry of her face and beautiful hair. I told her at the outset I was mainly interested in facial beauty shots.

The second shot too ages to get right. I wanted to get small amounts of her hair on either side of her face. As I was tethering the shoot we could see what was happening and go back and try again until what I think is a perfect shot of what I had in mind.

She loved the shot so much she made me promise to send her a copy once I have fully edited it. She was wonderful to work with.

[davidc]

How are you finding the models?

The first, higher-key one is a cracker & my personal favourite of those shown.

[Mata]

How are you finding the models?

The first, higher-key one is a cracker & my personal favourite of those shown.

The top one I was thinking of a billboard with the advertiser’s slogan or product with a nice clear background. You will have a hard time choosing one that really stands out. I took nearly 200 shots and they all look amazing. She is such a natural.

Most of the models are booked by the studios for their commercial shoots. A lot of the time the models are booked for the whole day as sometimes you just don’t know how things are going to work out with the makeup, hair stylist or wardrobe people as well as the props. Things also go AWOL. Lol.

They try to recoup some of their costs by inviting photographers to fill in the time left.

You can also get models from some of specialist site like:

http://www.modelmayhem.com
http://www.purestorm.com
http://www.madcowmodels.co.uk
http://www.purpleport.com

They can turn out to be expensive if you have to hire a studio and props plus the model’s fee and any travel expenses.

[Mike Farley]

Most of the models are booked by the studios for their commercial shoots. A lot of the time the models are booked for the whole day as sometimes you just don’t know how things are going to work out with the makeup, hair stylist or wardrobe people as well as the props. Things also go AWOL. Lol.

They try to recoup some of their costs by inviting photographers to fill in the time left.

Interesting. How did you find out about the studios and make contact with them?

[davidc]

If it's anything like it is over here, there are forums and sites like the ones he's linked that also advertise studios alongside models and make-up-artists. That's how I sorted out the shoot I did back in November

[Mata]

If it's anything like it is over here, there are forums and sites like the ones he's linked that also advertise studios alongside models and make-up-artists. That's how I sorted out the shoot I did back in November

The above mentioned websites cater for Models, MUA (Make Up Artists) Hair Stylists and Photographers as well as studios looking to keep costs down. Hiring agency models works out very expensive unless a Fashion House wants a particular model for their products.

The draw back from these sites is the level or rather lack of experience and understanding of what is required in their personal presentation, make-up and grooming. Agency models are well aware of these issues and turn up immaculately dressed and ready to go if required. The difference between an amateur and professional is huge. You pay more for a professional but you also get more as well.

Finding studios is the easy part (time consuming maybe) getting your foot in the door is another? I would say ‘quirky coincidences’ have led me to many studios but only gelled with two at the moment. The one above and an Italian, who naturally being Italian he works with some of the top Italian fashion Houses.

The two images below are of Tatiana, an agency model.

I will re-edit them in Photoshop next month (March). Take out the background and put something more suitable for her to standout. I have promised to send her some images so they will have to be a little different and of a high standard. That is going to be challenging to say the least.