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Post by karlos on May 31, 2007 9:31:28 GMT
got a brand new 6.1 mp digicam and 2 gb sd card, any clues as to do's and dont's when taking close ups and general shots (like of model shows etc?)
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Post by Don Cabriolet on Jun 1, 2007 7:37:37 GMT
got a brand new 6.1 mp digicam and 2 gb sd card, any clues as to do's and dont's when taking close ups and general shots (like of model shows etc?) Practice. You need to put a few of your own models on the kitchen table and photograph them as practice, so you can learn just how close the closeup setting on the camera will let you get. I have a piece of braided nylon cord cut to the right length. If I think I'll need it I clip it onto my strap lug on the camera and I can quickly measure the distance in the crowd as I approach. A friend is a good thing to take along too as the public don't seem to see you crouching down to get a snail eye view of models on the table. Getting in with the show organisers can be good too - maybe they will let you photograph the models in between the judging and the returning tide of punters - Bribery works well, especially if they have a local charity they are supporting. Don't forget also to make sure the Auto White Balance is set correctly on the camera. I also try to take a picture of a sheet of white paper so if there are any strange colour casts from the room lighting I can see it immediately and hopefully filter it out in Photoshop afterwards. At home I have a light tent that I bought from Maplins - cost about £15 I think, works a treat for smaller models. Bigger kits get put on a sheet of A3 cartridge paper curved between floor and wall to make a cheap 'infinity curve' like is done in real life for car adverts. I always try to use an Anglepoise light with a blue bulb in it positioned just above and slightly to one side so that the flash doesn't cast horrible shadows. But in short, practice - 'cos then you will soon find you just do it without thinking about it - then you will get some good pictures.
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Post by karlos on Jun 1, 2007 8:00:24 GMT
I like the infinity curve idea, that is a good un to remember , cheers
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Post by The Hooded Claw on Jun 1, 2007 8:02:18 GMT
A quick photobooth can be made with a folding chair and a white or cream sheet thrown over it. Place the model on the bed of the chair, engage the Marco setting and click away.
I also find a small tripod an essential for close-up work
H
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Post by Fatty on Jun 1, 2007 17:38:19 GMT
The main biggy is keeping the camera steady, as Ian says "get a tripod" ;D
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Lonewolf
Moderator
Gods Country
Posts: 2,551
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Post by Lonewolf on Jun 1, 2007 18:05:37 GMT
I also use a small tripod and a remote to set it off. Get to know your camera and use the 'My settings' option if you have one. I have mine set to f5.6, auto shutter, remote trigger, macro focusing and white balance for the appropriate lighting. eg PS Fatty I wish you'd get rid of that poncy Spiderman, I'm forever catching him in the corner of my eye grr LOL
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2007 11:16:11 GMT
... Fatty I wish you'd get rid of that poncy Spiderman, I'm forever catching him in the corner of my eye grr ... He's got a point Paul ... soz mate! ...
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Post by karlos on Jun 19, 2007 14:34:15 GMT
yeah what is it with that spidey dude ?why the geeky dance?
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Post by John Prigent on Jun 19, 2007 20:08:00 GMT
Another thing to be careful about is taking your photos too close to the model. If you're so close that you have to zoom out to wide angle setting, the result will be distorted perspective. It's better to be far enough away to use telephoto setting and then enlarge the results. Oh, and always check for dust on the lens or you'll be wondering why there are unexpected spots on the prints!
Cheers
John
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Post by karlos on Jun 27, 2007 10:03:42 GMT
used the camera last night............wish I hadn't have bothered..talk about warts an all !!!!!!.....I thought I had done a reasonable job......what a stinker......the camera is that good it enlarges every imperfection and error.....makes you realise what a good job the pro modelleres do when you see the pix in mags etc.........I need to sort out the lighting as well , used the 'big light ' (shades of peter kay)in the back room along with the wall lights, the room is painted white so I thought it would be enough.....nope looks like it will have to be additional lighting on the job..any one got a searchlight they can loan me?
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Post by Paul Senter on Jan 8, 2008 9:11:09 GMT
All
I have some real drama's photographing models, mainly to do with the flash. To get close enough to eliminate camera shake the flash just whites everything out, when I do get the balance right everything just looks all wrong, for instance I used a pastel wash on some tyres recently, a kind of light sandy colour and fairly lightly applied, the camera made it look yellow and caked in the stuff.
I have read the previous posts listed above and to be honest all this talk of macros and infinity curves just makes my head hurt, am I better off waiting for a bright sunny day and photographing them outside under bright sunlight negating the use of a flash? or is it that I am a complete chopper at photography - I suspect the latter!
I have managed to post a few pics and some dont even look bad, I just dont know how I can consistently take a half decent picture.
Paul
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Post by The Hooded Claw on Jan 8, 2008 10:26:40 GMT
Firstly I never use flash to photograph my models. A simple photobooth made up of three anglepoise lamps with 100watt daylight bulbs and a cream sheet laid over my spray booth is all I use. However the most important thing I have ever bought was a tripod. I use a Macro enabled compact digital camera so one of Jessop's little tripods does the job. I then set the camera to autoexposure, point focus and turn off the flash. Now the trick to removing all trace of judder is to use the delay setting, mine gives choice of either 2 or 10 seconds. This means that the very act of pressing the button does not introduce judder. Using this simple system results in pretty presentable photographs. This is a representative shot: Hope this helps. H
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Post by Paul Senter on Jan 8, 2008 11:45:15 GMT
Ian
As usual a mine of useful information - I shall give it a go although I shall have to improvise with the lamps - only have one anglepoise - all good fun.
Thanks
Paul
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Post by The Hooded Claw on Jan 8, 2008 12:02:06 GMT
Glad to be of assistance.
;D
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Post by merlin on Feb 11, 2008 13:22:56 GMT
The main biggy is keeping the camera steady, as Ian says "get a tripod" ;D not fully read through this but i,ll post this hint for taking pictures in general . ok so you need a tripod , but theyre a pain in the rear to carry around . so heres a photographers trick .you will need 1 :a length of cord 2: a nut the size of the hole in the botoom of your camera 3 : two washers right firstly attach the nut and one washer to one end of the string and screw into the camera hole where tripod normally goes . next (you need a friend here ) drop the string and stand on it and pull the camera into position as if to take a photo , the string should now be tight . get your friend to cut the string to the correct length and attach second washer . now when your taking pictures and require steady hands simply drop the string stand on the washer and pull tight to photo taking position . no bulky tripod to carry just a bit of string in your pocket and it stops camera shake . handy trick and is worth a go
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