So have done several model shoots over the last couple of months..... lots of fun, but really challenging. The biggest problem I found was trying to work out what I wanted from a model & then the next problem was how to direct him/her. My first shoot was OK, my second was better & I was pleased with the results of my third. Luckily on all I was surrounded by more experienced folk from the flickr group London Strobist - a nice bunch of people who were quite willing to help me out.
I went through various stages of working out what to do....
Stage 1 - Work with someone more expert / experienced and sort of copy what they did
Stage 2 - Preprepare the week before by collecting about 30 or 40 photographs that I thought were cool and try and re-create them
Stage 3 - Pick one element out of one (or several) of my various "target" photos and then use these to set my direction
Stage 3 - Pick one element out of one (or several) of my various "target" photos and then use these to set my direction
Beyond that I have to talk to the models & encourage / direct them while simultaneously shooting.... And it turns out I am bloody useless at that.... I can barely walk & chew gum at the same time, so composing a photo while putting someone at ease and directing their mood / pose is just beyond me. What seems to work best is giving them some direction then doing the photo thing while they move & adapt on their own (vaguely based on my initial request) gives me some good results.
Anyway here's some of my pics from the various shoots.....
Eisha - Here's looking at ya, originally uploaded by It's life Jim.....
Black & White - Live, originally uploaded by It's life Jim.....
