Phototuts+

Photo Critique #190

Cameron Knight — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:20 +0000

Friday Photo Critique is our weekly community project, where we publish a photograph submitted by one of our wonderful readers, then ask you all to offer constructive feedback on the image. It’s a great way to learn more about photography, express your viewpoint, and have your own image critiqued!

Quick Ground Rules

Play nice! We’ve deliberately chosen photographs that aren’t perfect, so please be constructive with any criticism.
Feel free to offer any type of advice – composition, lighting, post-processing etc.
You can also link to photographs that you feel offer a great example of this type of image shot exceptionally well.

Without further ado, here is this week’s candidate for Friday Photo Critique!

The Photograph

Photo Details & Inspiration

Canon 50D
85mm
1/60
f/16
ISO 200

I always have an eye on the weather and this spot is on my doorstep. It’s hard to ignore frost, shadows and light beams, so I tried to make the most of them by waiting for someone to enter. Yes, the beams were enhanced, but they were all there, embellished further by my personal view.

Photographer: Nigel Pugh

Please let us know what you think in the comments – how would you have approached the scene or taken the photo differently? A massive thank you to everyone who commented last week.

The most constructive and helpful comments will be featured on the site. Interested in submitting your own photo? You can do so here!

10 Things You Don’t Know About Working With Models

Diana Elizabeth — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:00:27 +0000

Fashion photographer is commonly assumed to be one of the easiest job in the industry. They’re the ones behind the lens who gets to work with professional models, the beautiful ones who already know how to pose, give the right expression, and aren’t shy to do whatever it takes to get the winning shot. If you’ve ever considered about being a fashion photographer or want to start working with models, here are a few things you need to know. Turns out being a fashion photographer isn’t so simple after all.

1. Models Have a Good Side and They Know It

Photo by Diana Elizabeth

We all know that no face is symmetrical. Models can almost always tell you which is their preferred side to photograph. Compared to the typical client, they just get photographed more.

By asking your model which side is their good side prior to the shoot ensures when you are posing them in a specific way or evaluating lighting for a location you can make sure they show off that side. No model will ever select an image showing their less favorite side, so you’d be wasting your time photographing it.

Models will be normally be comfortable if you shoot straight on. They can always give a slight tilt if they are really insecure about it.

All that being said, this is only really important if you’re shooting for the model’s portfolio. If you are photographing for an editorial spread, you don’t need to be as concerned because the editorial publication hired you, not the model. For this tutorial, we’ll be concentrating on working with a model who is also your client.

2. Models Need to Look Like Themselves, but on a Good Day

Photo by Diana Elizabeth

Models need to look good in order to be hired for jobs, but they do have to go to auditions carrying their book and card in hand. It’s important that the shots still look like them. Casting directors can still find images misleading, but also want to see an array of looks which is why in-person auditions are still being held.

Always ask what looks they need. Often their agency will notify you if you are working with them, or the model will know. The makeup and hair shouldn’t be overly glam or pageant like, just well groomed, clean, and pretty, so don’t be alarmed if she arrives with very little makeup on to begin with.

If you are working with a makeup artist, start your model’s face with a fairly clean and natural look and build as you continue to shoot for different looks, saving the more dramatic makeup for the last shot.

You should also edit the images to perfection. Even though models are supposed to look like themselves, the images they want for their portfolio should be free of wrinkles, sunspots, the flaws that makeup couldn’t conceal. All of this would be edited anyway if the images were for a paid gig for advertising. It would be very rare to have a model upset about editing, unless it’s done poorly.

3. Models Need a Good Hair and Makeup Artist

Photo by Diana Elizabeth

Known as MUA in the industry, knowing a talented and versatile makeup and hair person will be beneficial. Most models and actors will want the hair and makeup service as a package with your photography unless they have someone they regularly work with.

Don’t pick just any makeup artist because not everyone is a professional or uses professional quality makeup. Make sure you have seen their work and you like the way their models have looked before referring them to your clients.

Make sure their personality is a good match for you, and your model clients since they will be working closely with them, and you, most likely sticking around for the entire shoot and making necessary adjustments. You should also consider packaging your sessions with hair and makeup included.

4. Models Need Specific Shots According to Their Needs

Photo by Diana Elizabeth

Always ask your model what shots they need. Typically they will need a fitness or swimsuit look, a clean face look, a professional look, and a glam shot. By knowing this, you can determine your locations for the variety of lifestyle images.

Depending upon the city you live in, you should know if the industry is more focused on commercial catalog work or high fashion. In the U.S., high fashion is much more common in New York and Los Angeles.

Specify how many looks your client will be receiving in the price, in other words how many wardrobe and makeup changes. Sometimes a client only needs two looks to update, while others may need four. You can show them culled images and tell them they will get a specific number of final edits or you can select them yourself.

The editing process is up to you, but it’s much better to provide a handful of edited images since the model and agent will select them and be ready to move forward with ordering their comp card.

5. Vertical Images are Preferred

Photo by Diana Elizabeth

Headshots and modeling composite cards are primarily vertical, consider this while you are shooting. For modeling comp/ZED cards, there are typically 3-4 shots on the back.

Black and white images are also well received occasionally and primarily saved for the front of cards, especially if it is a clean or dramatic look. You also do not have to shoot every look on location. Sometimes a studio can provide a perfect setting if the model can pose and provide movement

6. Models Are Well Networked with Fellow Peers

The modeling world is a small community, especially in small cities. Unless you live in the entertainment capital of your country, good commercial and fashion photographers are hard to come by.

When a model is photographed and the images are well received, her agency will often share it on social media networks, and the referrals will start coming in. Knowing this, make sure to always be positive, polite, upbeat, and professional.

It always a good idea to over deliver as well! Beat your own deadlines and offer a few extra edits. Giving images quickly will make your impatient model client very happy because the sooner they get updated shots, the sooner they can get out and book more jobs.

7. Models Want to Be Involved and at the Same Time Be Directed

Models are creative artists too, so they may come to the table with a vision, so be open to that. They are not like most clients who need constant direction, but they do need some help with posing and being directed what to do.

You should know some great poses to capture a lifestyle look or to create drama. You should know poses that will flatter, slim, and how to get the mood you want from your client. Engage them throughout the shoot and encourage them to move as much as possible.

A good model should know that every time you click your shutter, they should move. If they don’t, make sure you encourage them to do so even with the slight tilt of their head, chin or angle or else you will get the 100 images that look the same.

During a shoot you should also watch for flyaway hairs, makeup flaws, and know when they need to refresh their smile.

8. They Need Advice with Wardrobe

Photo by Diana Elizabeth

Models will come with more than they need, and perhaps arrive with an overload of options in a suitcase. They will ask for your input, so be willing and able to give it. Remember that as the photographer, you know what will photograph best.

If you have extra outfits or jewelry, feel free to put them on the rack for your sessions as well. You never know when you can take a Hanes undershirt and rip it apart to make something off shoulder, or that old hoodie can come in handy for a cool headshot look.

If you team up with a stylist or you’re daring enough to shop for the model, go ahead and offer styling as well to the package. Models jump at the chance to wear fresh clothes and this also gives you more control over how your final product will look.

9. Models Aren’t Rich

Models aren’t rich and don’t get paid as much for their gigs as you may think, so expecting to get rich off them may be a dream. However, they do need headshots updated regularly, almost on a yearly basis as they mature and their hair style changes.

While photographing models may not be as lucrative as shooting a wedding, they certainly are the most easy and beautiful clients to shoot and will be a repeat customer year after year when they need to build up their portfolio.

To maximize your time, have specials and advertise to agencies so they can get the word out to their signed talent. You can book between specified dates and make use of your days by booking up the entire day. Since models aren’t big spenders, know that your sessions might be cheaper than other sessions you offer, but the rewards are truly stunning and artistic images.

You may also use these images as a portfolio in order to branch into commercial work, which can pay well. The benefits of working with models to build a strong portfolio can open many doors, so whether it’s for editorial purposes or their modeling portfolio, always take the perspective of photographing models as your own career building opportunity.

10. They Trust That You Know when You’ve Got It

Photo by Diana Elizabeth

Models don’t need to see every shot you take. Perhaps one of the most wonderful things about working with models is that they are an ideal client who trust photographers. They are realistically aware that they aren’t going to look pretty in every shot and they understand the editing process.

When you want to present the images, you can either send them directly to the model, or if you worked with an agency to book up days, be sure to copy them on the email to download the images as well.

How to Process Photos Taken on Overcast Days

Simon Plant — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:12 +0000

You’ll often hear that overcast days are great for photography because the light is soft and shadows are nicely filled. However, it’s more appropriate to say that cloudy days give you the best starting point for images. Straight out of the camera, these images can lack contrast, saturation and look pretty terrible. In today’s tutorial, we want to show you how to take advantage of that wonderful soft light otherwise dreary days can provide.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn five techniques for working with photos made under overcast light:

Emphasizing Bold Colors with Contrast
Adding Drama with Boosted Black and Selective Contrast
Split Toning in Black and White
Color Manipulation with LAB Curves
Searching Out Interesting Light in Dull Conditions

Watch the Video

Thoughts or questions? Leave a comment below!

9 Essential Tips to Shoot Classic Theater

Jose Antunes — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:47 +0000

Photographing theater is a challenge. You’ll face low light, prohibitions against flash, moving actors and unevenly lit stages. Here are some tips for you to get the best photos under such challenging conditions.

1. Use Manual Mode to Deal with Tricky Exposures

Low light on the stage and excessive contrast sometimes makes it difficult to get a good exposure for stage plays.

There are two important things to remember when shooting on a stage. The first only applies to stages with very dark or black backgrounds. Many stage situations, be it amateur or professional will use this setup. In these cases, your camera’s automatic functions will be fooled. Switch your camera to manual, and use your camera’s spot meter function to get a solid reading off one of the actors’ faces. If you don’t have a spot meter function, you’ll need to guess the exposure through trial and error.

The other thing to remember is that the lighting will differ depend on where people are standing on stage. The obvious situation is one in which a spot light is being used. Anyone not in it will be in a darker area. The less obvious problem is when a stage seems to all be lit up at the same time. In these cases, the lighting may look even, but most of the time, the edges of the stage will be much darker than the middle. Sometimes this difference can be as much as a full stop. In these cases, I still use manual to quickly switch back and forth once the correct exposures have been established.

2. Use a 70-200mm Lens for Its Reach

The best lens to use depends on the distance you’re from the stage. Usually a 70-200mm is a good choice, but a wide angle might be needed for some photographs

A good lens for theater photography depends on how far from the stage you are. Anything from a wide angle to a 50mm can be used if you are near the stage, but in most cases this isn’t an option. I consider a zoom will be the more logic option. I’ve used zoom lenses like a 28-135mm and a 100-400mm, but I would consider a 70-200mm to be the best choice. And it does not have to be a f/2.8, one of the new 70-200mm f/4 will be enough.

I understand many will crave the f/2.8 for its light gathering capabilities, but with modern DSLR cameras, you can use a higher ISO and live happily with an aperture of f/4. Having a constant aperture lens is very important however. If you’re maximum aperture changes when you zoom in and out, then using manual exposure becomes very tricky.

3. Use RAW and Picture Styles to Help with Mixed White Balance

Let the camera choose the best white balance for each situation and prepare to edit each single image afterwards

For white balance, leave it on automatic, as stage lighting is a mixed bag. This is a time to consider shooting RAW, so you can adjust white balance at the editing stage. You need to expect to compromise, as there is no way to get all different lights to look right. In many cases, each different image will need correcting, as there is no batch magic function.

Red lights are especially troublesome. In cases when these are used, I change the Picture Style on my camera from Standard, which is the typical default, to Neutral. If you’re comfortable making a customized picture style, all you need to do is lower the contrast and saturation to your liking.

4. Know the Play

If you know how the action flows it is easier to get the shots that best show the peak of the action during a stage play

The best way to photograph a performance is to understand what it’s all about. If you want to give it a try, approach a local group or theater ask for permission to see the rehearsals, plan to share some images with the crew. Ask everyone as much as you can, the director, the lighting crew, the actors.

Most importantly, if the play or performance is a classic, that’s means you should be able to find a copy of it. Read the play! If it’s in a different language, at least find some good summaries of it. When you’re doing this, pay close attention to the attitude and motivations of each character. This will inform what moments are most vital to the story.

With a zoom lens as the 70-200mm f/4 you can use the depth of field creatively to center attention on a specific actor

5. Vary Your Composition by Creating Tight Shots

Although masks from Greek theater play an important part in the play, the facial expressions can give you an idea of the feelings conveyed by the actors.

Facial expressions did not matter much in Greek theater, as actors were far from the audience, due to the dimensions of some large open-air theatres. Masks were used with intensely exaggerated facial features and expressions to convey the message.

In modern day representations, faces are equally important to convey feelings, so you should always follow the action and try to get the best images of facial expressions. In fact, much of the theater, even from the Medieval period, is based on the expressions and grimaces of the actors.

Always watch for those unique moments of tension that help to showcase the beauty of theater!

6. Know When to Capture Wide Shots

During a visit to one of the most beautiful epigraphical museums in Europe, the public is led along the exhibition rooms. It’s a journey through the past guided by characters.

Some theater plays go beyond the conventional stage and move within an area. When the environment is important be sure to capture it. In the previous image, the pater familias welcomes the guests and invites them to join the matronae of his domus in a ritual visit to the tombs of the ancestors and the altars of the gods.

To photograph a production like this you have to understand how actors will move within the rooms and be prepared to change plans at any moment. This also means, though, that you can shoot from different positions, even from behind some of the actors for some unique perspectives.

Keep an eye out of performances like these as they are really fun to shoot. Including the environment in your images is important when document street performances or any time the theater itself has an important history. These encompassing images are always in high demand and often forgotten about when you’re concentrating on the action of a play.

7. Understanding Theater

If after reading this tutorial, you feel that this is something that interests you, take the time to explore more about the craft. Blocking, for instance, would be a good place to start. Simply put, blocking is how characters move around the stage. Having some basic knowledge of this will help you anticipate what will happen next.

Stage lighting is another thing that can aid you in your shooting. The color and the direction of the light is meant to convey meaning, and it usually works very well. Remember, stage lighting is older than photography lighting. Knowing how to capture the light is important both while shooting, perhaps using a wide lens to emphasize the isolation of the spotlight, and in post-production, perhaps when deciding whether to correct for or embrace a color cast.

All that being said, shooting theater is the best way to get better at shooting theater. The more you shoot the easier it will be to understand how light works and how action flows onstage. Try it!

8. Be Aware of the Etiquette

Avoid shooting at the most quiet moments, as even the noise of the shutter can distract the actors. As a photographer you should be invisible. Use a camera bag that lets you change lenses quickly and without noise.

Take lots of pictures because many of them will not turn out as you intended. Lots of things go wrong like getting out of focus shots because of your shallow depth of field, actors waving hands in front of their faces when you least expect it, light changing abruptly. These are reasons why being able to follow rehearsals to understand how everything works is important.

9. Remember They’re Performing for You

Photographing theater is a magic experience that you should try. Look for a local group and ask for permission to capture them.

Photographing theater should be easy. Remember that! The actors are trying to exact what you want. They are trying to show emotion in their faces. They are trying to position themselves onstage in interesting ways. They’re doing exactly what we want all our subjects to do. So don’t get so caught up the details that you forget what it is you’re capturing.

Unfortunately, those details are what make theatrical performances hard to shoot. So when you start, work hard to make those details second nature. Master them and get them out of the way of the real shooting. It can be frustrating, but if you love what you shoot and understand it, then the task will be easier.

Tuts+ Premium Cash Back Offer: 3 Days to Go

Joel Bankhead — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:30:00 +0000

This offer ends soon! Act now and don’t miss out on cash back when trying a monthly Tuts+ Premium subscription.

At $19 a month, Tuts+ Premium is fantastic value. But it’s even better when we hand your first $19 right back to you!

For a limited time we’re offering $19 cash back to new Tuts+ Premium monthly subscribers when signing up via PayPal. If you’ve been thinking about checking out our extensive library of courses, tutorials, eBooks and guides there’s never been a better time to join up and dive in.

This offer ends at noon on the 20th of May AEST, so act fast.

Become a Tuts+ Premium Member and take your creative & technical skills to a new level.

What can you learn on Tuts+ Premium? Glad you asked! Currently, more than 15,000 members are sharpening their skills in a wide range of areas including web design, web development, Photoshop, vectors, video effects, and many more.
With Tuts+ Premium you learn from expert instructors in every field, such as:

Designer Justin Maller (Nike, Verizon, DC Shoe Co.)
Illustrator Russell Tate (McDonald’s, Coca-Cola)
Developer Burak Guzel (Software Engineer at Facebook)

Join now and get instant access to your very own library of courses, tutorials, and eBooks, available whenever you need them. Become part of a community of over 15,000 members and start getting better at the skills you care about. Our dedicated team adds new content weekly so there’s always something fresh to sink your teeth into.

Join Tuts+ Premium

Photo Critique #189

Cameron Knight — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:03 +0000

Quick Ground Rules

Play nice! We’ve deliberately chosen photographs that aren’t perfect, so please be constructive with any criticism.
Feel free to offer any type of advice – composition, lighting, post-processing etc.
You can also link to photographs that you feel offer a great example of this type of image shot exceptionally well.

Without further ado, here is this week’s candidate for Friday Photo Critique!

The Photograph

Photo Details & Inspiration

Canon 7D
90mm
1/1600
f/2.8
ISO 100

I wanted to capture the speed and intensity of the dogs during the dogsled race called Finnmarkslopet.

Photographer: Tommy Hansen

Please let us know what you think in the comments – how would you have approached the scene or taken the photo differently? A massive thank you to everyone who commented last week.

The most constructive and helpful comments will be featured on the site. Interested in submitting your own photo? You can do so here!

Lightroom 5 Features: Using the Radial Filter

Martin Perhiniak — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:26 +0000

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Beta has a brand new tool called the radial filter. It gives a whole new way of applying local adjustments to photos non-destructively. It can adding emphasis and reveal specific parts of images. In this video, we will show you the how to work with this new tool.

Watch the Video

Thoughts or questions? Leave a comment below!

Lightroom 5 Features: Using Smart Previews

Martin Perhiniak — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:00:04 +0000

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Beta offers a very exciting new way to work with your catalogs. In the past, you had to rely on your original photo files to be able to make changes in the Develop module, but now you can use smart previews. This feature keeps a highly reduced file size version of your photos next to the catalog, so you can keep working on your photos even if you don’t have the photos with you.

Watch the Video

Thoughts or questions? Leave a comment below!

Lightroom 5 Features: Using the Improved Spot Removal Tool

Martin Perhiniak — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:06 +0000

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Beta has many interesting new features and improvements for the retouching tools. You can now use the spot removal tool as a brush, you can visualize spots caused by sensor or lens dust and many more. Check out the video to learn more about how to use this completely non-destructive tool.

Watch the Video

Thoughts or questions? Leave a comment below!

Lightroom 5 Features: Using the Upright Tool

Martin Perhiniak — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:00:58 +0000

Adobe recently released the Lightroom 5 Beta for download. There are several new features that have the potential to vastly improve the Lightroom editing experience. Today, we’re taking a look at the “upright” tool, which can be used to correct horizons and other perspective issues.

Watch the Video

Thoughts or questions? Leave a comment below!