S
StuartR
Guest
Hi guys,
I am in the process of finishing up a masters in history, and I am planning on applying to the Brooks Institute here in town to get a masters in photography. I want to build a portfolio, and one area where I do not have all that much experience is in portraiture. I enjoy taking candid portraits of my friends and family, but I have yet worked with a stranger as a model, nor have I been very assertive about what exactly I want them to do and how to have them pose.
Today at lunch, I had a waitress who was very kind and genuine, and also gorgeous. She appears to be part Asian, part European and looks like a mix between Kristin Kreuk and Devon Aoki if anyone is familiar with them...In any case, I told her that I was looking to build a portfolio and asked her if she would be willing to do some portraits with me. After blushing, she agreed.
So...now what? I have a beautiful model and a beautiful town, what are the best ways to go about shooting?
I am planning on using a Leica MP with FP4+ and Hexar RF with E100G with 35 and 75mm summilux lenses, and a Canon T90 with 85mm f/1.2L and E100G. Is this too much to worry about? I was planning on using the SLR for color and the Leica for black and white. I think FP4 would be a better choice in this instance that Delta 100 or any 400 speed film. I want to keep that ISO low so I can shoot closer to wide open outside. I don't have much lighting experience and no portrait lighting, so I was planning on taking the shots at one of three locations: 1. The mountains above Santa Barbara -- gorgeous light and scenery and very private, but about 35 minute drive up from the city, and perhaps too secluded to take someone for the first time...I don't want her to think I am taking her up into the boonies to abduct her or anything. 2. The beach. Good light, nice backgrounds, can be a bit crowded. 3. The courthouse. Great architecture, light great at times, but it's really tall, so sometimes the shadows start early.
Does anyone have any tips for getting started and putting her at ease? I was thinking something along the lines of a "getting to know you" conversation as well as showing her the equipment and telling her what each thing did. I would probably start with the M's, as they are quieter and less intimdating than the T90 with the monster glass. I do have a Mamiya 7II with 80 and 150mm lenses as well, would that be a better bet than either the SLR or the M? I really appreciate any advice I get.
Thanks,
Stuart
I am in the process of finishing up a masters in history, and I am planning on applying to the Brooks Institute here in town to get a masters in photography. I want to build a portfolio, and one area where I do not have all that much experience is in portraiture. I enjoy taking candid portraits of my friends and family, but I have yet worked with a stranger as a model, nor have I been very assertive about what exactly I want them to do and how to have them pose.
Today at lunch, I had a waitress who was very kind and genuine, and also gorgeous. She appears to be part Asian, part European and looks like a mix between Kristin Kreuk and Devon Aoki if anyone is familiar with them...In any case, I told her that I was looking to build a portfolio and asked her if she would be willing to do some portraits with me. After blushing, she agreed.
So...now what? I have a beautiful model and a beautiful town, what are the best ways to go about shooting?
I am planning on using a Leica MP with FP4+ and Hexar RF with E100G with 35 and 75mm summilux lenses, and a Canon T90 with 85mm f/1.2L and E100G. Is this too much to worry about? I was planning on using the SLR for color and the Leica for black and white. I think FP4 would be a better choice in this instance that Delta 100 or any 400 speed film. I want to keep that ISO low so I can shoot closer to wide open outside. I don't have much lighting experience and no portrait lighting, so I was planning on taking the shots at one of three locations: 1. The mountains above Santa Barbara -- gorgeous light and scenery and very private, but about 35 minute drive up from the city, and perhaps too secluded to take someone for the first time...I don't want her to think I am taking her up into the boonies to abduct her or anything. 2. The beach. Good light, nice backgrounds, can be a bit crowded. 3. The courthouse. Great architecture, light great at times, but it's really tall, so sometimes the shadows start early.
Does anyone have any tips for getting started and putting her at ease? I was thinking something along the lines of a "getting to know you" conversation as well as showing her the equipment and telling her what each thing did. I would probably start with the M's, as they are quieter and less intimdating than the T90 with the monster glass. I do have a Mamiya 7II with 80 and 150mm lenses as well, would that be a better bet than either the SLR or the M? I really appreciate any advice I get.
Thanks,
Stuart