Tip : Hiding backgrounds

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While working on location you will sometimes find awesome backgrounds, and sometimes…. well less interesting (and that’s putting it mildly).
Now not in all locations it’s possible to use smoke or change the background, for example for the simple reason everything else is cool and interesting. So how do we solve this.

A very simple trick (and easy to do) is to use a very strong backlight, mimicking the sun, a window… or just a very strong backlight (whatever you want). This way we overpower the background and fill it with light but also “draw” more detail in (in this case) the staircase leading up to the light.

Setting this light up can be tricky, make sure you feather it so you don’t blow out detail, and if that’s not possible, maybe aim it more up so it blows out the ceiling but not the rest, and just crop that part of in your composition, it isn’t a matter of just “throwing” a light source somewhere and blast it with light, it does take some planning. But when it works it actually never really disappointed me.

 

For much more tips, techniques etc. check out my book “Mastering the model shoot” or our instructional videos (also available via this site).

QF EP65 Using the quick selection tool the smart way

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In this episode of Quite Frankly a cool tip on using the quick selection tool and content aware fill.

This technique is very handy when doing retouches on hair, sensor dust and so much more, it will really shave off a lot of time in your workflow

Tip : don’t be afraid to be different

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We can all shoot a model against a seamless background, that’s not really hard.
We can all add a little bit of styling into the mix, but often it stops there.
One of the tips I love to give to people is “be a little bit more daring, add some humor or a twist to your shots”

As you can see in this image with Sheena.
She walked on set in this amazing outfit and told me “It’s even on the back” well…. that triggered me to take this shot.
You don’t see the face of the model so for some it’s not a modelshot, but for me a photograph is not about the model… it’s about a story, it’s about a feeling, and the model for me is just a means to an end (so to say), and in this case I think Sheena did great.

I didn’t just want to shoot the shirt in a “standard” fashion so I asked her to pull it down and give some tension to it.
Also composition wise I didn’t want her slam bam in the middle so I placed her a bit more to the side.
So for your next shoot…. experiment and tell a story, or just add a touch of humor 😀
There is plenty of room for the “normal” model shots 😀

 

For much more tips, techniques etc. check out my book “Mastering the model shoot” or our instructional videos (also available via this site).

Tip : working with curtains

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Sometimes you just wonder… “what to use as a backdrop”.
You’ve already used your seamless.
You’ve already used your walls.
You’ve already used……………………….

Remember that there is always something you can use as a backdrop, but it becomes interesting when a model can use it also in her posing, or to hide something. That’s why curtains can be absolutely awesome, you can mount them on a background system, or (like in this case) just use the curtains that are there.

This was shot during a demo day for Sony on the SS Rotterdam, and the curtains were actually part of the room we were in.
As you can see Nadine uses them to pose, hide and also I think they look great with her clothing, making something that in essence is pretty simple, really stand out. That’s also part of todays tip, don’t forget the styling, mixing things is cool but always keep an eye out that they fit together.

 

For much more tips, techniques etc. check out my book “Mastering the model shoot” or our instructional videos (also available via this site).