Tattoo Photography

I am going to be covering a tattoo convention, and will be doing some photoshoots with some models as well. I would like tips on getting better photography. I tried improving my lighting, but it is too late now to get any good setup and learn it. I will have to stick with what I have.


Lighting:
-Speedlite 430 EX
- 5-in-1 reflector kit
-Stroboframe Camera Flip Flash Bracket + ETTL cord
-Bounce card (index card)

Camera Equipment:
-50D, XSi, 50D
-Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 28-135 IS, Canon 55-250 IS EF-S
-Tripod, monopod

What configuration should I shoot with at the convention? What lens should I have on what camera? I probably just use the XSi and one 50D only.

What are good pictures to get?
Does anyone have tips to help me photograph better and be better prepared?

One thing that comes to mind is not to wait until "it is too late now to get any good setup and learn it."?

What experience do you already have? Can you shoot & process RAW? Can you shoot a person with the 5-in-1 reflector kit? Can you shoot a close up with macro? Can you shoot on full manual? If not, what settings do you feel comfortable with right now?

On camera flash on shiny skin will be a problem. I've never been to a tattoo convention, but I do know that people will sometimes use lotion or moisturizer on the tattoo to bring out the colors. This is going to cause a sheen to the skin that will wreak havoc with your images if you try to use direct flash.

If possible, I suggest using RAW and available light as much as possible.

I always shoot RAW. I use lightroom and photoshop proficiently enough. I shoot in AV mostly, and venture into M now and again. I have about 6 months experience and read a lot on here. I have shot 1 wedding so far.
I do have a grey card. I have not used it in a shoot before, but I have played with it a bit. I do know that I do not like to use it for white balance. I will be shooting in a hotel room as well, for the model shoots.

Would I be better getting a Sigma 30mm f/1.4? I have been looking for one recently, and found one, but do not know if I should buy it as yet. Would that be better to use than my 50mm f/1.4 on the second camera?

I'm not sure what advantage the 30 f/1.4 would give you. For tattoos that are all in one plane (such as the back or a portion of a male chest) you could shoot with a fairly large aperture, but for sufficient depth of field, I suspect you're going to need to shoot at at least f/4 or possible smaller apertures so that the entire tattoo is in focus - especially those on an arm, calf, bust or other curved portion of the anatomy. I am, of course, assuming you're primarily shooting the tattoos and not the whole body.

I am shooting the whole body, but the tattoos are like 'added accessories' on the body. This will be my biggest shoot to date, so I am a bit nervous and really want to excel. My friend is hooking me up with some media passes and I will basically get to shoot most people there, and get private shoots if I want. Most people will want to shoot with me. I might be doing some shoots for a magazine as well. I want to be able to do the best that I can.

Biggest tip I have learned- is to be SURE your fstop isn't too low- because it can cause some blurring at the edges of a tattoo or subject you are taking. Aperture, keep it at or around 4++ if possible.

Hotel room= iffy light, try bumping ISO up once so that you can make your fstop hover around 4-5.6.

Another neat tip- I just started doing this... go into user defined picture style and copy whatever settings you are used to (i.e. standard style) then add +2 color satruation. It does make a difference, especially with tattoos.

Good luck!

That sounds good, about the saturation. What ISO do you think would be acceptable to go up to in the hotel room?

I've had no trouble with 800 iso on 30d and xti. You should have no problems with yours.

IF you are lucky and the hotel room is brighter, go down one iso-
If you have a monopod, it can help for when your hands gets fatiqued- or need to pull a slower shutter. In general, they recommend anything under 1/40 be stabilized somehow (i.e. on top of a chair, wall, etc) Some people can pull off 1/25 effortlessly- but not me.

If you have room in your trunk, grab the monopod and a tripod. Leave them in the trunk- and scout the area, etc. If you have a steady stream coming to a same spot, then set up a tripod there and tell everyone to "go there". A lot easier that way, more controlled envirnoment. (of course choose the brightest area of the room.

Good luck.

Good!

"M" would be my choice. Take some test shots in a similar room, aim the flash up at a corner of the ceiling so you're also hitting the wall, & see where you need to put a person to get good light on them.

Testing seems to be a lost art when people can just ask questions. This should help:
Tips for Xmas Ball Please

It's always nice to think that you can buy a magic solution, & good glass can solve some problems, but if you're going to use some flash (which I think is a good idea in this case), then what you have will get the job done IF you take the time to test before the event.

^^^^^ agreed!

Be sure, if the colors of the walls you are bouncing off are RED, BLUE, etc, to watch for added color overcast to the picture. Bouncing flashes off white walls, etc- has no problems. (WB) But with colored walls, there is always a chance the illumation is color-casted.

Soften your light as much possible, and use a polarizing filter.

Great info, and tips!

Digital_zen wrote in post #9051090
Soften your light as much possible, and use a polarizing filter.

How do I soften my light? With a diffuser?
I have not read up much about how a polarizing filter works.What does it do? Should I remove my UV filters since these are indoor events (convention and hotel room shots)?

That might help if you aren't shooting from too far away. Bouncing is good & sometimes & we used to do this:

https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=7673927&po​stcount=15

https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=3830722&p​ostcount=7

Sometimes it will remove/reduce reflections on the skin. I wouldn't use a CP for that. It's too hit & miss, & it will cost you 2 f-stops of light. If the skin looks shiny in the LCD, try moving the light or use some translucent powder.

I don't see the need for them except maybe for protection if rocks are flying? Usually a lend hood is protection enough.

I've shot a few Tattoo Conventions, and got by with my 24-70 f/2.8 lens on a cropped body. Had the 580 flash with a Stoffen diffuser tilted at a few different angles and got some good results.

Go for funky angles which helps the viewer get drawn into the tattoo.

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