Model Test

http://www.railstream.com/shanna.jpg

This is from a brief test today. I have a real shoot with her in two weeks. I'm very open to suggestions here; I'd really like to give her something she's going to be happy with.

This is untouched except for a little sharpening and the sepia black and white conversion. By the way I'm going to ask her to wear a different shirt next time.

EmbeddedMatt

I like this photo of yours.
Your model have a very natural smile .I also like the way you have framed the photo.
The sepia conversion look great .The shirt do not bother me to much with the sepia conversion.

Hope to see some more of your work .

Regards
james

She has a very different look from the models i work with, what type of medium will u be working with and what is she modeling for?
Just wondering,
i do Vicktoria secrets and some magazines from the UK and Boston

The medium is just digital for now. I'll be providing her with a CD. I don't know what kind of work she wants to do. I think she may be planning an OMP portfolio.

I think the sepia works with her hair color plus it adds some faux class. I know I can't pull the faux class business over on you guys, but hopefully the public at large is not so sophisticated. :)

James, thanks for the encouragement. I'm nervous about the shoot and encouragement is most helpful. I keep telling myself that since I'm not charging her, even if I blow it she can't get too mad. And by the way, if that's not true, I don't want to know.

Hi EmbeddedMatt

I think it is understandable if you are nervous .
I have not taking photo's of models myself , but i think she would be satisfied with the results , looking at what you already achieved .

Best of luck
james

Have you tried modifying it with a Soft Focus effect? That might hide some of the imperfections and bring out some of her other better qualities. Also try at first with her having a not-so-crazy-hair, and then take another series with a fan blowing in her hair, adjusting how strong the fan is and the postition. Positions can range from in front of her, the sides, and back. For the back, I'm thinking full frontal position looking at the camera with her head down a bit (in an intimidating look type thing), and with the back wind wrapping her hair creating an aura of "mystery" and "superiorness"...of course, what I'm imagining might not be what you're imagining, and might be more difficult to do than i write, but i try :) Also try having music playing when working with her. If she's coming to your house or office, try putting it b4 she arrives there. I personally love winamp because it has a free Internet Radio option that you can choose from like 100 commercial free stations ranging from rap to country, to classical. I like the "Dance" station XRM...it will probably set her in a cool mood and will probably make her dance a lttle bit 4 the camera...who knows, you could get some good shots like that ;) Experiment to your heart's content!

Good Luck,

Mando

Try also with different color backgrounds. IMO, i think the picture can benefit from some vivid colors. It appears to my eye like the whole picture is somewhat dull (colors can definetely add life). Try a red or black background to acccent her beautiful blond hair. More vivid clothes will probably add life to the photo. I personally don't like the whole "fair colored shirt-skin-hair-background"...almost the whole picture is the same shade except for the jacket. Mix it up. Make it PASSIONATE, EMOTIONAL, CRAZY AND VIBRANT and colors can definetely help you achieve that. Although easier said then done!
Also, her smile seems kind of a shy smile. With music going in the background, it will help her relax. You need to try both happy, smiling shots, and serious ones...Go to your local bookstore and look at the fashion magazines. They will give you lots of ideas! If i think of anything more i will let you know.

Mando

I also think whatever's wrong with this picture (lack of life and vivid colors), the sepia or whatever tone it is is not going to make it particularly better. No offence to you, but i can't picture seeing this picture in this magazine. Most of the pictures you see of models in front covers of magazines all have vivid colors, sexy and provocative poses and an excellent sense of style. Do note however, that most of us don't have resources to a gay troop of fashion consultants, hairstylist, make-up artists etc, so don't beat yourself up if it doesn't look like in the cover of a magazine. Remember that those photographers have resources to the gay fashion gurus (i don't mean anything bad with gay people though). Just thought i'd point that out.

Mando

I'll add my $.02 worth:

In addition to what Mando327 has already said, try using a little longer telephoto lens and move back a bit. The models nose in this picture appears a bit large. If this is fact, then you will want to minimize that as much as possible through posing, lens selection, and lighting. Her chin also seems to potrude a bit. Something else to consider. If you are fairly new to shooting posed portraits and models, you may want to pick up a couple books on portrait lighting and posing to give you some ideas on how to minimise certain unflatering body characteristics. Remember, the better you make her look, the happier she will be. And this can lead to more business in the future from her as well as her friends and coworkers. Good Luck!