 Marilyn Gottsponer |
How to Develop a Model's Portfolio My daughter needs to put together a "modeling portfolio" - the cost associated with this being done from a 'professional' is TREMENDOUS! I love to do a little picture taking and would like to give a try to taking these portfolio pictures myself! I am hoping you can help. I have a Canon Rebel EOS, it is a great camera. I have two lenses: We have to take pictures that will be great when enlarged to a 9x11 size. I need help in determining the film speed and suggested brand/type for the following scenarios: 1. Outdoor location pictures, some sunny/some cloudy/etc. Please keep in mind that I am SO amateur it isn't even funny! Of course, any other comments and/or feedback on putting together a portfolio for a model would be greatly appreciated!
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Crystal G. Collins |
I have found, personally, that when taking outdoor photos to use a film speed of 100 or so, because when you blow it up to an 11x14 or so it will be less grainy. However, when doing black and white photography, the grain almost adds to the picture. But I've read that the bigger picture you want to end up with the lower film speed you need to use. For indoor pictures, you will have to use a faster speed film, but if you haven't taken many indoors, I don't think you'll be happy with the outcome for professional looking pictures. What about putting a "backdrop" outside, where you can take advantage of natural light, but it could still "look" like a studio pic (with the backdrop). This is just an opinion, hopefully you'll get more feedback and can try a few things. I'm pretty amateur too!! Good luck!
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Marilyn Gottsponer |
Crystal - thank you SO much for the feedback. I love the idea of doing a 'backdrop' outside for the natural lighting! That is a neat idea. I took some "starter" photos yesterday and today - I can't wait to see how they turn out. If you have any other thoughts, send them on! Thanks!
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Leo Enriquez |
1. Outdoor pics: Use 100ISO film, but you are also allowed to use "fill in flash" on some of your pics!... 2. Indoors Use 400ISO film, allowed to use "fill in flash" as well on some of your pics!... When using your camera flash, stand about 5-6 feet away from your subject; the cameras w/integrated flash only cover aprox. that distance. Turn the red eye funcion on, so You won't be sorry for taking a perfect pic with red eyes (specially at dusk)!... 3. In B&W I'll suggest you to go for Ilford delta 400, it does work well and has excelent tones of greys and blacks!... I don't know any of your lenses but I could suggest you to use the one with the biggest aperture for the close-up portraits (2.0 or 3.5) so you won't have any distraction on her back like plants or any other objects, and those could become blurry and the pic focusing only on her face or body!... I'll recomend you to do not buy only 4 rolls of film, get 6 or 8 and/or more and shoot, shoot, shoot!... When developing, only develop the negatives (about $3.00 usd each roll), and buy one of those little squared-plastic film or transparency viewers, and pic de ones you want to make prints from!... Also you could scan your prospect negative shots (if your scanner has the film scan mode or the transparency adapter) and see the whole pic in your computer, before making your final decision on which ones you want to print!...
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Thomas Kendall |
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Birgit Harper |
Marilyn, I agree with Thomas K. My guess is you want the best results for your daughter. For good instructions on professional headshots and an idea of what is needed I recommend John Hart's book 'Professional Headshots'. It is available at half.com for little money. Good luck!
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Phil Penne |
Hi Marilyn! Just an addendum to the great advise others gave: 1) Got a tripod? Make good use of it! It will help the sharpness of your pictures. A cable release or use of the self timer on the camera (along with the tripod) will also help reduce camera shake. 2) When shooting outdoors, don't be afraid to shoot on a less-than-sunny day! In conditions that are foggy, cloudy, or downright overcast, the light is evenly diffused, resulting in very gentle, shadowless lighting. 3)You may want to read up on using filters. For color, a "warming" filter can render very pleasing skin tones; for black and white, a yellow-green filter can render skin tones more accurately. Good luck!
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Marilyn Gottsponer |
Wow! I am so excited about all the feedback! Thank you all so much, it is great that you guys were willing to spend time to provide that information! Thomas - I wish I was in the Milwaukee area, if you know of any places in Arkansas let me know! Crystal, Leo, Thomas, Birgit and Phillip - THANK YOU! I will have to 'scan' one of the pictures I have taken and get some feedback from you guys! Once again, I am amazed at the feedback and thankful for good people like yourselves who are willing to take the time to help us out!
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Carey Yazeed |
Well, it looks like you have gotten some very good advice. So, I will only give you words of encouragement...Some of my best portraits were taken when I was in the "amature" stage of photography. Use a lot of film and try different settings/locations/ during different times of the day. Also, make sure your daughter has on different outfits (swim wear, jeans, dressy...) If there is a semi professional lab in the area you may want to let them handle your development. It may cost a little more, but you will be pleased with the results. And make sure you purchase a nice portfolio to display her enlargements. Good Luck! Carey Yazeed
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Jeff S. Kennedy |
In your daughter's best interest I say find a professional and have them done. In the meantime, by all means, practice them so that you might be able to do them in the future. But for now if you want results for your daughter you would be well advised to find someone with experience. The suggestion above to find someone willing to do TFP is a good one.
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Rebecca M. Gold |
I will have to dissagree with you Jeff. My daughter is in modeling and I went with the professional who had a long list of actors that she had done. I handed over the money and what a waste it was her 20 years had nothing on my 1 year of expierence. I am in no way gloating but cheap film and bad pictures didn't amount to what I paid for. I regret not pushing my photos a little harder and not believing in myself a little more. I am not saying that all pros would be like that but see what you come up with first and then decide on which way you will go.
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Jeff S. Kennedy |
Oh by all means give it a shot yourself. I mean it can't hurt. But your one isolated incident doesn't make my recommendation wrong. Like anything else there are good photogs out there and bad photogs out there. Shop around and make sure the photographer you choose has the quality you are looking for not just the right price.
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