Advice please

[nvchad2]

I've nagged my girlfriend for weeks now to get her to model for me, and she finally said ok. She is very self conscious, and cant get comfortable in front of a camera. Is there anything simple I can do to make her feel more comfortable? I'm not a professional (no fancy set ups, just me and a camera) but I'm sure theres something I can do that will help her out. We're simply doing this for ourselves, but I want her to like the pictures she sees. Are there certain poses that will have greater appeal? She's average build with very light skin.

Any advice would be welcomed.
Thanks

[PashaPhoto]

I've nagged my girlfriend for weeks now to get her to model for me, and she finally said ok. She is very self conscious, and cant get comfortable in front of a camera. Is there anything simple I can do to make her feel more comfortable? I'm not a professional (no fancy set ups, just me and a camera) but I'm sure theres something I can do that will help her out. We're simply doing this for ourselves, but I want her to like the pictures she sees. Are there certain poses that will have greater appeal? She's average build with very light skin.

Any advice would be welcomed.
Thanks


it's spring... everything is blooming and everything is beautiful...

take her to a park, and just have a fun day out shooting... take some simple nat light headshots, sneak in some candids and as long as you don't stress out she won't stress out and you'll be ok :)

[nvchad2]

Thanks, we'll have to do that.

Are there any settings I can use to help change her skin tone slightly? She really doesn't like being as white as she is, but her skin doctor has advised her not to tan. I've only been using a DSLR for about 2 or 3 weeks, so I'm still learning. With natural lighting it'll be harder to adjust wont it?

[PashaPhoto]

Thanks, we'll have to do that.

Are there any settings I can use to help change her skin tone slightly? She really doesn't like being as white as she is, but her skin doctor has advised her not to tan. I've only been using a DSLR for about 2 or 3 weeks, so I'm still learning. With natural lighting it'll be harder to adjust wont it?

you can adjust her skintones to whatever you like if you're shooting raw...

i happen to like warmer skintones to begin with, so no matter what my wb is on site, i would still add a couple of hundred k's to it in post...

you have plenty of leeway in the raw file to adjust... you can make her look as tanned and orange as Snookie from "jersey shore" if you wish :)

[nvchad2]

lol. Ok, thank you. I'll keep that in mind. I've been playing with photoshop recently, seems like theres a steep learning curve to some of it. Some things are definitely very handy though.

[FlyingPhotog]

lol. Ok, thank you. I'll keep that in mind. I've been playing with photoshop recently, seems like theres a steep learning curve to some of it. Some things are definitely very handy though.

Adjustment Layer -> Photo Filters -> Warming

Adjust opacity to taste.

Also, the "Sepia" Photo Filter can do a good job of making skin tones look more flush and natural.

[nvchad2]

Thank you very much. Thats the exactly what I was looking for.

[FlyingPhotog]

One thing to remember: Dropping an Adjustment Layer over an image will affect the entire image so if you're comfortable with masking, be sure to work it so the warming only does its think on her skin and necessarilly the entire frame! :D

[nvchad2]

thats a good point. Ill try it out after we get some pictures taken. I'll figure photoshop out one day. :) it looks like it can do just about anything if you know what youre doing

[FlyingPhotog]

thats a good point. Ill try it out after we get some pictures taken. I'll figure photoshop out one day. :) it looks like it can do just about anything if you know what youre doing

In the right hands, I think it can do things even it didn't know it could do! :shock:

[nvchad2]

lol. Yea, ive seen some crazy stuff. Oh, while we're here, let me ask another question. I never know where to tell people to put their hands when shooting them. Always looks forced. Is there a simple solution or is it more something that the "models" (friends and family) themselves should take care of? Or is it trial and error until I get the hang of it?