fashion portraits

[allys]

<p>Hello.<br>

I am new to fashion photography and would ineed like to know the little details that matters a lot when it comes to lighting in fashion shots.<br>

Such as the perfect butterfly effect and to get this glitter in the models eyes.<br>

Also, what kind of make up will be the best, in order to get it perfectly nice photographed without too much editing!</p>

<p>Any help is very appreciated !</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

[dave_wilson1]

<p>My first suggestion is to do some searches, there is already a lot of info on these topics especially in the portrait forum and learning sections. Also check on the very popular tube site and search fashion photography, there are some really good videos on there. Definitely study the big magazines like Harpers and Vogue and search some of the names of the photogs from the layouts that you like. If at all possible try to get associated with a mentor.</p>

[allys]

<p>Thank You Dave, I will.</p>

[bobcossar]

<p>+1 Dave.....study and learn from the images from magazines like the ones Dave mentioned....then create similar results as you can from what you learned....It's at that point that people here can help you more with specific images to refer to....Regards, Robert</p>

[Karim Ghantous]

<p>I have never heard of the 'butterfly effect' (and I've been taking photos for a long time!) so I looked it up. This article might help you anyway:</p>

<p>http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-achieve-perfect-butterfly-lighting</p>

<p>Now that I know what it is I don't necessarily think it's the nicest type of lighting but hey at least I learned a new term. :-)</p>

<p>I know a make-up expert and I'll ask her what she recommends in terms of value for money. I'll post back here soon-ish.</p>

[robertbanks]

<p>Butterfly effect is a concept used in chaos theory...butterfly lighting is a term used in portraiture and is named thus because of the shadow shape formed under the nose.<br>

Dave +1: There are loads of books and websites discussing lighting techniques (and it helps to use the right terms!).</p>

[mariosforsos]

<p>I'm going to assume you're talking about a shoot with a client... (if not, please disregard and go play):</p>

<p>Fashion shooting is a much more complex, demanding and, frankly, innovative project than "butterfly shadows" and "glitter in a models' eyes". If we're talking studio (or even location) fashion photography, then you need SO much more than just a post in a forum explaining even the two basest concepts you inquired about.</p>

<p>Please, please, please, go back to the drawing board, learn how to light 100 different ways, with snoots, grids, softboxes, reflectors - the works!, experiment again and again and again and again, be bold and brave, challenge the basics, dare to work against "butterfly shadows" and see how you can make it work for you... for everyone's sake, shoot 1000 fashion shots with friends and family, even make-believe ones, and THEN take over a fashion shoot. Don't learn on the client's head based on a few forum entries or random posts and your "desire" and "passion" for photography - it will be helpful for nobody involved and will cost money.</p>

<p>And make-up... I mean, how can ANYONE tell you "what kind of make-up will be best" if even you have no idea what you're shooting, how you're shooting it, what look you're attempting to create, what approach you'll be using! And what does "perfectly nice photographed" mean, really! I must have done dozens of fashion shoots and I have never been able to say this - fahion shoots ALWAYS demand editing, usually a lot of it, even when shot, lit and made-up by experienced professionals...</p>

<p>I'm sorry, but this is the truth...ignore it or gloss over these comments at your (and, unfortunately, your client's) risk... personally I feel sorry for them...</p>

[zensphoto]

<p>I guess it depends on what kind of Fashion Photography you plan on doing. What is Fashion Photography in the first place? It's definitely not Model Photography. Model Photography is about Models. Model photography is finding people an agency is looking for to hire.</p>

<p>Fashion Photography is about something the Model is wearing such as clothing or jewelry. This can be associated with Runway Fashion Photography, Catalog Fashion Photography, and so on. In Fashion Photography you are not focused on the Model, you are focused on the product the model is wearing or using.</p>

<p>You definitely have a lot of research you are going to need to do in order to determine if Fashion Photography is what you are really going to be doing or is it Model Photography?</p>

<p>One of my Models that I have photographed that was not Fashion Photography. <br /> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/14374657-md.jpg" alt="" width="610" height="680" /></p>

[allys]

<p>MARIOS , no you are wrong, it is not with a client. Where did I state this? But however, I agree with you !<br>

There is always more than just a forum ''chat'' about things. And I AM practicing randomly with friends,models,family whoever is open and willing to let me practice on them. Of course way before I think about taking money for it.</p>

<p>I appreciate any help and critique, that's the only way to learn about things. I don't appreciate harsh words, yet I don't want anybody to suger code anything :)<br>

And editing, yes u are right with this too. BUT, i like to at least try not to edit too much. I don't like to think ''ohh yea its ok, i fix it later''...That's not me u know. It IS good to know, to think, that touch ups are possible and fixing later on-</p>

<p>DUANE, thank you! You are actually right. I already went off with the wrong thought what is what.<br>

What I AM looking for and try to get help,tips etc is when I do close ups, let's say head shots. I am trying myself on strong colors right now, whether with masks, glitter, strong colors and of course lighting.<br>

And regarding the butterfly effect. I like all kind of effects. But I rather learn step by step about all these awesome effects.<br>

Thanks to anyone I really appreciate!!</p>

 

[Karim Ghantous]

<p>Ally, if it's useful to you, here is a summary of what the make-up expert told me:</p>

<p>A brand called Australis has a range of basic make-up specifically for photography. Perhaps $60 for a set which would include mascara, foundation, pressed powder, concealer, blush, nude lipstick.</p>

<p>I don't know what half that stuff is but there you go.</p>

[allys]

<p>Karim, thats is very nice of you. Thank you!</p>

[mariosforsos]

<p>Don't mistake frankness for pointless harshness. And it's not about sugar-coating things. Our clients, current and prospective, require - in fact, they demand - our utmost respect, not just from you or me, but from our profession. I come across so much crap work from photographers who decided they "thought it would be a good idea to shoot fashion (or whatever)" and managed to convince a cash-strapped client to entrust them with his livelyhood, that the issue of respect has become very critical for me these days. Sure, I can always charge more to correct a mess left behind by a hapless beginner wreaking havoc with his D700 and 50mm/1.8, but that is hardly the point, is it?</p>

<p>Will the customer easily trust a new, truly talented photographer again? Chances are no and that is where the problem lies! I WANT to believe new talent will out, quickly and easily...I WANT to believe that people can learn how to trust again, but that is not going to happen if literally anyone who believes can shoot professionally goes in guns blazing with little or no experience, with often no business acumen or even modicrum of respect for the profession and, above all, the client.</p>

<p>And ust one final addition/correction: "post" processing is not the same as "correcting" mistakes made while shooting. It never was. Post is about removing blemishes, spots, correcting minor highlight issues, removing wrinkles (facial or on the clothes), ensuring that everything is how it should be - in other words, showing what needs to be shown in the way it needs to be shown.</p>

<p>With fashion you can almost never have the models stand there countrless hours until you get EVERY little thing right. You often, in real life situations, called upon to accept somet things as they are and fix them later. Which requires a whole different set of skills...and those need to be practiced too.</p>

[bobcossar]

<p>+1 Marios....Professionalism does not magically appear over a short period, nor does reading some articles qualify you to suddenly rise to a high standard overnight. </p>

[Jeff Lear]

<p>Whoa! Why all the lecturing? My reading comprehension isn't the greatest but how did I miss the part where Ally said she was going to single-handedly ruin the fashion photography industry? Relax! She just asked about lighting and makeup. Check out her portfolio, she's got potential.<br /><br />Anyhoo, I came across <a href="http://www.lumitouch.com/benstudiotutorial/rules.html">this link</a> (http://www.lumitouch.com/benstudiotutorial/rules.html) the other day that covers a lot (but certainly not all) of portrait/fashion do's and don'ts, including lighting, makeup, and posing. It doesn't mention the Butterfly Effect (Karim kindly covered that) but it does discuss other lighting techniques.</p>