Tag Archive for: photoshoot

Using a gobo projector in a pregnancy shoot

When your model is pregnant it’s time for some extra shots

Every pregnancy is unique, and when we shoot a pregnancy I always try to find something that is fitting for the model.
We all know Nadine I think and with Nadine it’s not possible to just shoot some images of her belly. So during a recent workshop we decided to shoot different setups all aimed at a part of Nadines character and of course my input 😀

it was a load of fun, Nadine got several totally different pregnancy shots and well… we got some cool behind the scenes videos.

Today the video about this shot.

]

In the video I explain the lighting setup and the idea behind the shots.
I always appreciate a like and subscribe to our YouTube channel, it really helps us out.

model photography tips: Angles, lighting and guitars

It’s about the leading lines

Today it’s about one of those things that really can make or break a shot and other model photography tips. Let’s start with the angle.
When we talk about the angle of a shot we often immediately think about shooting from eye level, ants perspective, or the giant perspective.

The angle

We change the angle of a shot to get a different “vibe” in our shots. But also to create a more or less powerful character because it looks funky and great. Angles will really change the complete narrative of a shot. And don’t think it’s just with model photography, try putting your camera really low with landscape photography, maybe hover it over the water and you get some amazing shots. But there is more.

 

One of the things that always fascinated me was the creativity you could get from just choosing different lenses, apertures, and most of all the length of the lens when I started  with photography.

My start of model photography

When I started taking photography more seriously I wanted to invest in good lenses.
Because almost everyone was using 70-200 f2.8 or longer primes (85-135) for model photography…. well that was my choice.
I also used a 24-70 f2.8, mostly for street and casual photography.
Till my 70-200 broke and I was “forced” to use my 24-70 much more. And to be fair, I’m glad that happened because my 70-200 f2.8 hasn’t been used a lot after it was returned.

“why?” you might ask.
Well it’s actually very simple.

When you shoot with a 70-200 you’re always using a rather heavy form of compression. This is great for getting out-of-focus backdrops and fitting a model on a not-so-wide background (the field of view is narrower with a longer lens). But you will quickly find out that when you start using angles to shoot your models there is a difference but it isn’t “WOW”. Another model photography tip is.

To get the WOW effect we need distortion

 

And no, I’m not talking about a blaring Marshall with a tube screamer….
When we use wider angles you will find out one very important thing.

The camera doesn’t see “depth”. It just renders objects closer to the lens as larger and further away as smaller.
When we use a wider angle this means that this effect is exaggerated, you can get some really cool effects with this.

For example, make a model point towards the camera and shoot it at a wide angle setting.
But for today’s blogpost, we take a look at another example.

A model and a guitar

During the workshops, I often try to bring cool props and create together with the attendees “fake” ads, or artist shots.
In this case, we use a beautiful Epiphone guitar, and our model Felisa is seated on the stage in our studio.

Lighting wise I’m using the Geekoto Quicky softbox on a Geekoto GT400 as my main light source.
I’m using the Quicky because it focuses the light on my subject without having the softbox really close to the model.
For the red I’m using one Geekoto GT200 with a red gel from our Rogue magnetic system.

 

Flow in my image

To get a nice “flow” in the image I’m shooting from a lower angle and using the 24-70 on a setting between 24-40mm.
It’s always wise to take several shots with different lengths. Sometimes a client will love the wider angles during the session, but later decide they might be a bit “too much”. This is why it’s always a good decision to shoot from different angles and different lengths. This way the client can always choose.

Same with smoke by the way.
So the first image as you can see here is without the smoke.

But there are more model photography tips

By choosing the lower angle the model looks taller and more powerful.
I sometimes call this “the hero angle”.
But by adding the wider angle the distortion gives the images a very cool and powerful look.
Now that the base is done, let’s add some smoke.

Model photography tips

I did change the light slightly for this one to create a bit more “mood”.
And compliments to Felisa for nailing the same pose almost exactly.

When we did the first setup, I narrowed the light a bit more and moved the right strobe slightly to get a much more contrasty look.

Model photography tips

As you can see I’m now also including the red gel in the shot.
The problem with this shot is that it’s “very red”.

 

Same lights, different effect

By moving the red strobe you have total control over this effect.
For the next shots, we moved the red strobe a bit more back and this is the final look I went for.
However, that doesn’t mean someone will probably like the previous ones more. So always select maybe also some images when you are still experimenting. sometimes those shots are a lot more funky/creative or unique.

Model photography tips

By changing the angle of the head you can easily change the “flow” in your shot.
This is not a matter of good or wrong. Although in most cases I like the so-called S-curve in a photo.
However, in these images, we already have really strong guides by the legs and guitar neck,. So here the position of the head is more of a way to change the mood.

So if you’re still shooting with longer lenses…. maybe also try a wide angle sometimes 😀

 

Workshops are always fun

Most of the blog posts and videos you see online are created with material shot during the workshops.
I’ve been teaching them for over 15 years and in every workshop I try to create something unique for my own portfolio. But also for the attendees of course.
If you also want to visit a workshop visit www.fotografie-workshops.nl for the agenda and more information.
We can also teach the workshops online if you are not based in the Netherlands.

I hope you like these model photography tips. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out on social media or e-mail.

 

 

 

The highlight of the year, the Wibi Soerjadi concert 2024

Live photography has its challenges, but I love it

Every year has its ups and downs. But for us both as a family and as photographers there is one highlight that stands out.
The Christmas concert in Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw Amsterdam with Wibi Soerjadi. The Wibi Soerjadi concert in 2024 was his 30th anniversary.

Wibi and I met many years ago without any connection to photography. Still, we talked about it, and before I knew it, I was shooting my first real international celebrity. I can already tell you I was incredibly nervous, but Wibi was absolutely nothing like I imagined. He was very creative and knew what he wanted, but he was 100% open to the photographer’s opinion.

 

Wibi Soerjadi Concert, 30th anniversary

At the end of the year just after Christmas Wibi ends the year with an always sold-out concert in one of the best-sounding concert halls in the Netherlands, Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw Amsterdam. When he asked me to shoot some images I started from the balcony with a long lens. I was sitting in the family part so we had a great view. But the images… well were basic. So we started talking about how we could get something more interesting. The problem is that with most concerts and especially classical concerts, it’s not allowed to shoot for a longer period. And of course, I also had to abide by that rule. So the next year I did get some better images but at that point, I think also Wibi started to have fun with the whole shooting of the Christmas concert so we started to joke around how to make it even better.

Wibi Soerjadi Concert 2024

Wibi after the awesome Queen transcription at the 2011 concert

Better locations and more spectacular every year

I said “Well maybe when I lie under the piano” to which he replied (If I remember correctly) “Yeah, we’re going to do that”.
Well, in all honesty, I’m a pretty shy guy, and that idea I did not want to execute, but at that point, we did decide to take it one step further—shoot from the stage.

I was incredibly nervous, first of all with this chance but also with all the challenges you get when shooting under those conditions. But it went great… but we wanted more.

Over the years, the Christmas concert grew into something that overshadowed everything I ever saw from a solo artist.
I think it’s a shame he never played with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, I think they would sell out for a long period.

Last year’s concert

Last year I shot some of my best live work ever. But this year Wibi decided to up the ante and really push the limits (wait till next year).
The problem with a lot of different lighting setups is that I have to choose my spots very carefully.
Although I’m an all-access area photographer and am allowed to shoot from every location during the show I still have my responsibility to the visitors who paid for the tickets and don’t want to be disturbed.

Wibi Soerjadi Christmas Concert 2024

For me, this meant this year I started on the podium at approximately 1-2 meters away from Wibi.
Right after the break I ran to the balcony and shot the second part of the concert from there for more oversight shots. The lighting on the stage is totally different from the other side. After the last notes, I had to run through the building to end up right in front of the stage for the final encores. This is one of my favorite locations to shoot due to the extreme angle which gives it almost a rock concert look. It’s not a series you can use for everything but it does complete the concert for me.

The gear

Today I show you a very small selection of the images I shot.
Thanks to the dynamic range of the modern cameras (A7RV) and low noise (or Topaz/Lightroom Denoise) the quality of the full resolutions are absolutely breath taking.

For the wide angles, I used the A7rIII with a Sigma 12-24
For the other shots the Sony A7RV with the Sony 24-70 F2.8

I hope for the end of the year you have some time to enjoy the images.
And for 2025 we wish you all the best and hope that 2025 will be a much better year than 2024.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO START THE GALLERY
And see them in the correct aspect ratio

last year I also made a short BTS video

So much fun with cheap materials and lights

It doesn’t have to be expensive

There is often a discussion about what you need to get a great image. And often it boils down to “I can’t do it because I don’t have any budget”. Well, it might surprise you but 99% of the images I post are shot during workshops, events, and trade shows. So not really situations where I have time or even a budget to really use large sets. Today a blog post about model photography with cheap materials and lights. In our studio, we do use the ClickBackdrops backgrounds of course 😀

Experiment with cheap materials and lights

One of the things I love to experiment with ar cheap lighting solutions.
This can be a string of fairy lights, Christmas lighting, or a magic lantern.
With modern cameras and great noise reduction in Lightroom or Topaz, you can really push the creative limits.

One of the biggest advantages of the strobes (Geekoto) I’m using now is that they can be adjusted to output a very slight amount of light.
Because most of these light sources are very faint it’s great that I’m now able to mix strobes and continuous lighting much easier.

 

Setup

For this setup, we used wings with small lights inside. To make sure the lights show up you have to be able to capture enough light.
This can be done with a higher ISO or a longer shutter speed.
What I normally do is use the EVF of the camera in emulation mode. This way you can see what your setup in your camera looks like.
I would advise to set up with an option to lower the shutter speed. Often when you start adding the strobes you will find that you need a bit more light from the continuous light source. Especially when a model is uncomfortable it’s nice that you can quickly change the setup by just lowering the shutter speed.

Now that you have the perfect setup just use a light meter to set the strobe up to the ISO and Aperture you chose. And you’re ready to shoot *and probably lower the shutter speed.

Background

A nice dark background is ideal with see-through materials and lights.
But it’s vital for these kinds of shots you use a focused light source, in other word,s make sure you only hit the subject with strobes where you need it. This way the continuous lighting will have a nice dark background to show up and show their color and brightness much better.

I’m using the Geekoto GT400 with a Geekoto Quicky softbox with a grid.
The Quicky is a smaller softbox that has a very straight light beam and is great for focussing light on your subject, even from a slight distance.

Model photography with cheap materials and lights, I like it!

Model photography with cheap materials and lights Model photography with cheap materials and lights Model photography with cheap materials and lights

Check out this video about being creative with 2 models dressed up as Barbie

You can rent our studio and get creative too