This easy setup is intended to remove distracting background detail and enhance your ability to control the kind of lighting that falls on the model. LIST OF EQUIPMENT • Camera (can be compact or SLR) • Backdrops - a large sheet (A0 size) of clean uncreased white drawing paper. Different colored paper may also work (black or grey) something that will contrast the model remaining neutral + something to attach it to a wall/vertical surface. Place the backdrop so it cuves betwen a vertical and horizontal surface. • Lights - Use a directional desk or standing lamp. Two lightsources is ideal. If you only have one you can also use a reflector (piece of white foam core approx. 50x50cm). You can also take photos using daylight coming through the windows or set up outside on an overcast day
© Alison Fairley
M2 Appendix
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY SETUP
M2 Appendix
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY SETUP MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY Lighting Setup Note: A key light is the main light source in a photo, it should be the one that casts the shadow. A fill light fills in the dark side of a subject, it’s the secondary light source, if you only have one light, this can be a reflector close to the subject. Standard lighting setup
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY Lighting Setup Note: A key light is the main light source in a photo, it should be the one that casts the shadow. A fill light fills in the dark side of a subject, it’s the secondary light source, if you only have one light, this can be a reflector close to the subject. Standard lighting setup
Standard lighting shots
© Alison Fairley
interesting and the most important to the design.
• Composition
Use light and focus to highlight details, texture and form. Move them around to see what gives the best results.. Remember the rule of thirds. Objects placed anywhere on a third line in the image have more punch than either centre or randomly placed areas. The intersection of the third lines are important points to consider.
The composition of the image is the second most important element of great model photography. Here are a few beginner rules to follow (and perhaps think of ways to break when you’re more experienced) •
Get down to the models level. No “God Views” unless the whole focus of your design was to be viewed from above.
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Try to get into the space of the model, either by placing the camera inside, zooming into the space or using focus to pull the view into the space. (remember if you can’t focus the camera while close to the model move back until you can and then crop the image in photoshop to zoom in further)
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The eye will always look at the area in focus first. Focus the image on a section of the model that is most interesting and the most important to the design.
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Use light and focus to highlight details, texture and form. Move them around to see what gives the best Rule of thirds results..
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Remember the rule of thirds. Objects placed anywhere on a third line in the image have more punch than either centre or randomly placed areas. The intersection of the third lines are important points to consider.
Rule of thirds © Alison Fairley
M2 Appendix
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY SETUP• MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY
Photoshop As long as photos are in focus and well composed then almost anything else can be fixed up in photoshop. The more time you take getting a great photo = the less time in photoshop and vice versa. A few easy steps to fix common model photograph problems are as follows. •
Open your file in photoshop
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Right click on the background layer in the layers pallet
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Make a duplicate layer (this is the layer we will work on, the background layer maintains a copy of the original photograph incase something goes wrong)
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Add a levels adjustment layer by hitting the black and white cookie button at the bottom of the layers pallet and choosing “levels”
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Move the little triangle sliders under the graph so the outer ones are located under the beginning of the graph (assuming there is white and black in your photograph, otherwise move them until the image looks good with enough contrast). Move the middle triangle slider until the image looks bright enough.
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Once your levels are correct, go back to the black and white cookie and choose “photo filter”. Most images taken with home lighting solutions are very warm (yellow / orange / red). To combat that try adding one of the cooling filters and change the density until the white areas of your scene look white. You may need to add two photo filters, a cooling one to remove the yellow and a green one to remove the red tones.
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If your image still has an incorrect colour wash over it you can always put a black and white adjustment layer on. It’s also located under the black and white cookie.
© Alison Fairley
M2 Appendix
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY SETUP MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY
MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY SETUP •
If your image still has an incorrect colour wash over it you can always put a black and white adjustment layer on. It’s also located under the black and white cookie.
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Finally use the crop tool (fourth tool down in the tool pallet on the left hand side of the screen) to fix any composition issues (not close enough, getting sections onto the third lines) once you’ve drawn a crop box you can rotate it if the image isn’t quite horisontal to straighten it out.
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Make sure you save your images as a photoshop file (.psd) to retain all the layers and adjustments you have done. To place into indesign / email or place the image on the web you should make a second .jpeg save of your file.
Finally the best way to take a great model photograph is to take a lot. Just keep shooting and trying different ideas, angles, lighting and focus points. It doesn’t cost anything and you’ll be sure to get at least one killer image for your folio or presentation.
© Alison Fairley
M2 Appendix
cooling filters and change the density until the white areas of your scene look white. You may need to add two photo filters, a cooling one to remove the yellow and a green one to remove the red tones.