First Model Shoot - For Fun & Practice

[Disassociation]

Hey Everyone,

I found an 'aspiring' model on CL and we are doing a 'for practice' shoot this upcoming weekend at Jericho Beach in Vancouver. For both of us, it will be our first 'modelling shoot', which im really excited about, and hope she is too :)

That being said, in the past I have shot two weddings, but, I did them ***WAY*** too early into my career with photography, and although both couples were really happy, I wanted so much more myself.

I know all of the basics, and wanted to go over how I have planned the shoot in the hopes that anything im missing can be caught, before I make a donkey of myself :)

I'll be shooting using a Canon 450D, 50mm 1.8, with a reflector if needed, and even if really necessary a 420ex flash with a really good diffuser. I've been told a polarizer can be really helpful to soften skin tones and make things look more even in general. My PL filter is meant for my 18-55mm but I have a 'step up' filter I can use to make it work on the nifty 50.

The scene is a beach obviously, right next to the water, at late-afternoon early evening. Tide will be out, so we'll have lots of sandy beach to use, but the sand will be wet. I picked a beach where the sun won't be a problem, as it will be positioned behind us at all times.

The model is planning on doing her own makeup (for better or worse who knows) and will be supplying her own wardrobe etc. My girlfriend will be on site as well to hold the reflector (and make sure im not flirting too).

Anything else I need to be worried about? I have other lens options if they would help, but they aren't limitless lol. I could also use:

canon 18-55mm w/ IS
Tamron 90mm (I think its a 2.8 w/ macro, its the Tamron competition for the canon 100mm macro)
Sigma 24-70mm
Canon 75-300mm

All of my lenses aside from the 50mm and the tamron need a lot of light by comparison, but we should have it since its supposed to be a beautiful sunny day, at a beach.

I noticed a lot of comments here saying that shade always works best... Should I avoid the sandy beach and go for a shadier spot? Since im shooting when the sun is not at peak, or dusk, im not sure if it would still be too bright, but theres no way it could be too dark :)

AHHH so much to think about. If you see gaps in my thinking *please* share. Id rather go in prepared than get caught off guard. Ultimately I want this shoot to be a great experience for both of us so its mutually beneficial.

[Disassociation]

Hehe nearly 30 reads and no replies so far? I suppose I must have myself well prepared? :)

[dmayesjr]

I think that the 50 would be too long for anything but head to waist portraits unless you're 8-10 feet away. So the 24-70 might be a safe lens to shoot with if you're looking for full body shots and maybe some background scenery.

Middle of the day will give harsh light, but if you use fill flash properly, you should get some decent results.

I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know. I'm no expert (I've done 4 outdoor shoots), so if someone has better advice, go right ahead.

[Disassociation]

I think that the 50 would be too long for anything but head to waist portraits unless you're 8-10 feet away. So the 24-70 might be a safe lens to shoot with if you're looking for full body shots and maybe some background scenery.

Middle of the day will give harsh light, but if you use fill flash properly, you should get some decent results.

I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know. I'm no expert (I've done 4 outdoor shoots), so if someone has better advice, go right ahead.

You raise good points and I appreciate your comments no matter how many outdoor shoots you've done :) Thank you! I'll be sure to bring the 24-70 just for safety :)

[tylershumway]

If I were you, I would probably use the 50 for the shoot. I use it regularly for this for outdoor portraits. Its pretty versitile and you can really open it up. Keep your lighting and your camera gear very simple, so that you can concentrate on the model/composition. You have everything you need, a 50mm/reflector and good light go a long ways. The polarizer is worth using as well. Everyone works differently, and I'm sort of new to this too, but I like to show the model what every pose looks like on the lcd. This almost always gives the model new ideas, and helps open up a discussion of what is working and what isn't. Good luck, sounds like a great location.

[cataftercat]

I really like the cat pictures!

[inthedeck]

I started that whole modeling thing on the beach, prepared with the worst light imagineable...speedlights. It was horrible, to a certain degree, and I hated the images for the most part. But, there were still some useable ones...and those are the ones that the model received. That was the first time I ever worked with a 'model' let alone a 'person.' :lol:

On camera flash might be a pain...but, you're in luck with the reflector. Bounce the flash 'off of' the reflector, unless of course, you can use the light from the Sun to reflect from. That'd probably be easiest...and the best. If you have a reference for white balance (gray card, etc.), I'd suggest that too.

I'd also recommend using the 24-70 till you can, and then switch to the 50, for some shots if need be. Don't forget to charge some batteries, or take a backup set. Clean stuff, before AND after going to the beach (I hate going to the beach with my gear). Also rather than worry about 'settings' and the like, focus more on getting expressions, poses, and backgrounds to work. ;) Once the three of you (or 4 if she brings someone), can 'break the ice' it'll be that much easier to confuct your model.

One other thing you 'might' not want to do, is show the model 'each and every' picture, as it's happening. It becomes tedious after a while, and breaks the flow of shooting should you be on a roll. Show her a couple here and there, that 'you' feel work best...and then, she can view the rest at the end of the shoot. This way, you are focused on hearing her 'likes and dislikes' when you're not so stressed about lighting, posing, expressions, backgrounds, gawkers, etc. ;)

Have fun! I know I did, and didn't. :lol:

[Chief44]

If you have a way of getting the light off camera that would be the only way id use it. Other than that the 50 would be nice with use of the reflector to bounce light to separate the "model" from the background a little. Im going to add you on DA and I have some beach stuff shot, Some shot with wide angle some shot with a 85 or 50 prime.

[kencas]

Hi Dan!

So - how did the shoot go? What did you find worked, or not worked, or thought it would but didn't, etc...

Thanks,

Ken