Tips for MMA Fighter studio shoot

First, I am not a professional photographer, although it is a hobby of mine. I have a small hobby studio which is

pretty well equipped I would say. A friend of mine is coming through and is a MMA fighter on the amatuer circuit in

London (mostly). Cage Rage, etc...

 

We are goign to do some studio photo's in about a month and half from now (31-Aug-11). Has anyone got any tips

for the shoot? IE, what style would you personally use?

 

I am thinking of dramatic lighting using shadows to accent muscle tone, maybe some oil and sprays of water to

simulate sweat.

 

Most probably going to shoot against a black backdrop and mostly upper torso. He is an olive skinned fella. We will

have all day to do the shoot, but I obviously don't want to be tied up all day in the studio, so I would like to collect all

props or accessories before the shoot. Also, My wife has a Beauty Salon on the floor beneath my hobby studio, so I

can always send him in there for make up....

 

Looking for tips on the following:

 

A) Lighting techniques

 

B) Poses / Facial expressions / Stubble on face (for the rough look)

 

C) Ways to dramatize the photos (prior to Post Processing)

 

D) Outfits (obviously his fighting gear), but other things like torn/worn training gear

 

E) Make up techniques

 

I am looking forward to hearing suggestions and your ideas. I am not getting paid for this, this is just a shoot to

practice for my own personal gain and he gets a few decent Promo photos out of it (well hopefully they will be

decent, LOL)

 

Thanks guys,

 

Robin

<p>Maybe also try some outside/dark Alley or graffiti walled shots for interesting backgrounds?</p>

Hi Mark,

 

Thanks for the response, I will give it some thought, just not sure if that is an option, I will have to scout around a bit. Thanks

<p>It would be very helpful if you could meet the fighter before your studio shoot. From the meeting you could develop a sense of who the fighter really is. You could also determine what his expectations are from the shoot. Your ensuing photographic efforts could then be focused on accentuating his uniqueness. From that impression as well as your conversation with him you could develop ideas on how to photograph him as he is rather than as you may want him to appear. Rather than using oil or water to simulate sweat, why don't you have him perform one of his training routines in the studio which you could photograph - real sweat and he woud be comfortable doing something he does hundreds of times rather than "posing" - I am assuming that he is not an experienced model.</p>

Hi Allen,

 

I have actually known the guy for the past 4 years. He is not camera shy and has posed at fights in front of many cameras, just not in a studio. I was thinking of having him hit the gym prior hard for a major "pump" session prior to getting to my studio. But good idea on having him do some training exercises at the studio to get a good sweat going. Thanks. It may be worth doing an on location shoot at a gym where he trains while in town.... Thanks for the ideas...

<p>What are you doing the photos for? Just for fun? For his usage in promotion? These are factors that need to be taken into consideration before planning can effectively take place. </p>

<p>Also, as someone who shoots portraits of UFC fighters for magazines, I would say that the advice given above isn't great. Most of the fighters are used to posing - they do it in and out of the ring constantly. The graffiti alley works for stereotypes. And "as he is" isn't how they usually want to appear.</p>

<p>I shoot using a couple softboxes set up evenly on both sides, with a plain backdrop. I usually shoot for about 30 minutes, some with props (belts or gloves) and some without. Some are in street clothes, but usually they are in their fighting shorts and no top. Fighting stances usually help to get them started, but rarely end up being published. I usually try to chat with them about their fights to get more expression into it. If there is a ring nearby, shooting in the ring can be really useful, as can hitting and kicking the bag.</p>

<p>Here's a typical cover I've done.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

Hi Jeff, <br>

 

Yes, the photos are for fun and his promotion. This is not a paid shoot, we have been friends for the past 4 years, its not the fighting or the photography that has brought us together as friends. Just got to know each other through mutual friends. We ended up on the subject of coming to my studio because he posted an Iphone picture on FB of himself with his top off and in a stance. So I am starting to plan. <br>

 

Thanks for the advice Jeff, I have two med softboxes, white and black backdrops and some smaller strobes I normally use for hairlights.

 

Thanks again, thats the sorta stuff I am looking for....

<p>I'd go for something contrasty with lots of highlights kickers, especially for muscle tone. Lots of specular highlights are good here, so hard light( instead of big soft lights), such as gridded dishes or even smaller lights, which are very focussed. There are a couple of big names out there who do this, though I can't for the life of me remember their names. Here is a close up example from one shoot I did a couple years ago. It's a head shot but should give you an idea of what I'm talking about.<br>

<img src="http://marcdavidphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/MG_15131.jpg" alt="" width="576" height="720" /></p>

Good Stuff Marc, <br><br>

 

Judging from the photo above, I am guessing the lights were positioned slightly behind the model, but far enough forward to bleed light over to his front side? Thus lighting the raised features causing shadows on the un-rasied features? <br><br> I will be sure to try to some harsh lighting as well. <br><br> Thanks again!

<p>The lights were above and behind the subject and angled 45 or so degrees. They had standard/umbrella reflectors so they spilled like crazy. Grids would have helped focus the light a bit more, but I had to make do. Ideally, the kicker lights would not have hit the nose. Also, had to make sure the light did not hit the lens. I had one strobe with umbrella in front to fill in the face.</p>

<p>This first photo was about capturing intensity. Subject is a former MMA fighter who went on to be a National Champion armwrestler. These shots were taken as promos to be used for T-shirts and promotional items. The second shot focused more on armwrestling, used on posters etc.</p>

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<td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iPsj1xWdP9XzABKrdqHJrg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U8aqIfKoRCM/SfYKfdc7-OI/AAAAAAAAD8w/VMLfwwLoltI/s640/img015%252520post.jpg" alt="" width="558" height="640" /></a></td>

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<td >From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/john.jwphoto/JeremyPlasterStudioShoot?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Jeremy Plaster studio shoot</a></td>

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<td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B32hjbQ9Wfwm6v5r1kl-og?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R2UpDFtLE08/SfYZSsH6ZmI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/G7qTHVqnz-A/s640/img021-1.jpg" alt="" width="509" height="640" /></a></td>

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<td >From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/john.jwphoto/JeremyPlasterStudioShoot?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">Jeremy Plaster studio shoot</a></td>

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<p>Good Stuff John, <br><br><br>

Thanks, I like the lighting there. I assume that is a strip box, single light? Nice.... <br><br><br>

Just want to thank everyone for their input and help thus far... I will be sure to post some pictures after the deeds are done...</p>

<p>Thank you for the compliment.</p>

<p>Single strobe, camera left, pointed down at subject at approx 45 degrees. Shot through barn doors. Black backdrop to absorb spill. <br>

Bronica ETRs (6x4.5) on Tri-X. (If anyone is curious)</p>

<p>You got the right idea by using dramatic lighting. You will also need grids. You can check out my fighter shots on my website under portraits at http://www.michaelmowery.com</p>

<p>Wow, Michael. Great stuff. I really like what you did with the Muay Thai fighters. </p>

<p>The portrait (black and white) of the young lady lying prone, propped on her elbows, wearing black... stunning.</p>

<p>thanks John. by the way did you make any money on your shot that they made promotional stuff? Is there any money to be made with MMA fighter shots?</p>

<p>Very nice Michael,<br>

I like the gel spot behind to separate the subject from the background.. Nice shadows for the muscle tone..<br>

Did you burn the shadows in a bit more for better contrast on the muscle tone? Lovely stuff<br>

This will all help (I am hoping, if I can do it right, LOL)... Thanks to everyone for their input...</p>

<p>All done with lighting ratio. 7 profoto strobes with modifiers.</p>

<p>Hi Michael, I'm not plugged into the fight community, so I'm not a good source of information regarding prospective revenue streams. I did these shots as a personal favor since he is a good friend of mine.</p>

 

<p>I would try and take him out of the studio to be honest and shoot him outside on concrete, stucco or brick. There is a street cred aspect that appeals to the MMA audience. I think the studio shot above is great if we know there is press placement for the fighter. But have him attack you and shoot him while his is coming at you with intense facial expressions. have him take you through the basic components of his fighting style, i.e. guard, standing, etc. Shoot him as if you were his opponent. other than that he will probably be a lousy model and you will need to trick him into posing without it looking cheesy. my two cents, good luck.</p>

<p>To simulate sweat you could mix glycerine and water thus raising the waters viscosity. Now instead of the water creating streams running of the body it will instead stay as drops.</p>

<p>I quite like those Ideas for the sweat and having him come at me... I will need to source a place for outdoor shooting against bricks, etc... Thanks for all the tips and ideas guys,.....</p>

<p>If he is a competitive MMA fighter, I suggest going to the gym where he trains and use the octagon for the shots. You can mount lights up on the ring posts to accomplish anything you want to do. You can even shoot outside the cage using the chain link as the backdrop if you need more camera to subject distance. </p>

<p>The great thing about an MMA gym is he can hit the weights briefly to get a good pump and do some rolling to get in the zone mentally. The surroundings will put him at ease because he'll be in his element and less likely to pose unnaturally or look self-concious. Not to mention.. props galore you don't have to supply.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Hi John,<br>

I would love to, but unfortunately, it may not be an option... He is visiting Thailand, where I live. He does sometime train Muay Thai there... Previously, toting around flashes were a pain, so I have picked up a batter powered strobe, so this may now be an option.<br>

I will have a word with him and see what he reckons, maybe he can speak to the gym and make it possible.<br>

<br />Thanks,</p>

<p>I don´t know why this has not been mentioned but why not take shots of him actually sparring, hitting and getting hit and working out in the gym as he naturally does instead of getting him to pose with fake sweat etc? I know thats what I would rather see and believe would have the most impact.</p>