Tag Archive for: props

A block can really help out in your studio

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Sometimes the solution is really simple

We can spend a lot of money on sets and props, but I always love it when it can be done really cheap.
And one of the best investments you can do for your studio is…. a block.

We have several in our studio, and sometimes I don’t use them for months, and then they save a shot.
You can build them yourself but I would advise to make the strong enough for a model to pose on, which makes adds to the usability.
You can even build one that can be used to place a model inside and create some cool creative shots that way.

But for today we are using it purely as a posing help.
It will happen a lot if you work with inexperienced models that they will have some problems to pose freely. when you’re shooting against a backdrop it’s often not possible to lean against the backdrop, and using a chair often makes the problem only bigger. But by using a block to pose agains will often give you immediate results with a lot more interesting poses.

Of course Janaike is an experienced model but I wanted to share some of these images we shot during a recent workshop.
Also want to visit a workshop?
Visit www.fotografie-workshops.nl for more info and the agenda.

 

Nadine and the Rogue snoot

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In todays blogpost some images we shot with our model/stylist and allround cool girl Nadine.
The backdrop is our Graffiti door from ClickPropsBackdrops.

I’m using our Rogue snoot here on a Nissin speedlight.
To get an extra “nasty” edge to the light I did not use a diffusion panel inside the gel holder.
You normally use this to get a more rounder “nicer” quality of light (and most of all softer), all things I didn’t want for this shoot.

So lets take a look at the images and what I changed during the set.

The first image was shot with just the snoot on a pretty wide setting.
I love the harsh quality of light in the center and the softer edges, it really gives the light a dual personality if you know what I mean. And for this setup I really liked that almost Rock and Roll lighting.

However for the next two images I decided to open up the shadows.
I’m using the omnidirectional dome from our Rogue magnetic system here with a blue gel. You just place it in the same line as your main light source and meter it a few stops below the main light.

I really love the effect.

And with Rock and Roll lighting…. we need some black and white.

And a guitar…..

 

The Rogue products are available via www.frankdoorhof.com/shop or at your favourite camerastore selling Rogue.

Props are not always expensive

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Sometimes people think that props should always be expensive, but in essence it is often way more fun (and more interesting) to shoot with cheaper props, like in this serie with Nadine where I used an old window, and indeed NEVER let your intern wash the windows… one of them once offered me to wash them “because they were so dirty”, the look she got from me….. well let me put it this way she didn’t offer it again 😀

 

A bit dirt and grid really makes the shot for me.
In these shots we also sprayed some water on the windows for a added effect.

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Using a very simple prop can make a difference

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We all know the so called “posing stools”, “how to pose books” well don’t get me wrong… they all have a market, but for me they often don’t work.

 

Every model is different, every lighting situation is different but most of all every scene is different.
I love to “sync” the pose to the models clothing, the model, the scene etc. etc. there are so many variables it’s almost limitless, so to have one pose that fits all…. doesn’t really work for me.

 

To help with posing and to let the model get a bit more relaxed in front of the camera it can help if you give him or her something to “play” with, or a better turn something to pose with. And that doesn’t have to be an expensive posing stool or whatever, you can only spend your money once so make sure you spend it on things you can re-use, re-sell etc. And spending 100.00 or more on one stool just is a waste of money in my opinion, although if you shoot a lot of families or the same portraits over and over again it will probably work just fine (otherwise they wouldn’t be on the market right?)

 

This prop I got from a friend of mine who owns a toy store in Emmeloord and he didn’t use it anymore, we actually got three in different lengths, you might recognize it as something to hang lights on in a store or a stage, and you’re (probably) right, but I love to use it to let my models play with during the shoot as you can see in these images with Nadine.

 

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Nadine Juli 27 2015 2027As you can see it’s a different way to pose than without any props, these kind of things will really boost your (and your models) creativity and make sure you keep shooting with fun and don’t end up doing the same thing over and over again, because let’s be honest…. we are in a creative business so repeating the same things over and over… well that’s just boring.

 

Now how do you get the cheap posing things?
Just go out to second hand stores, dumpsters, stage companies etc. and just ask for the “junk” it doesn’t have to new or good looking, in fact the more damaged it is the better it often works for a shoot.

Good luck and good hunting for those amazing props 😀

If you want to learn more about this and more model photography, you can buy our book on Amazon called Mastering the Model Shoot.  Or visit one of our workshops, see www.photography-workshops.eu 

Or join KelbyONE for classes about model photography, see our youtube page for backstage videos, our short photography tips on “Quite Frankly” and our interview shows on “The DOORhof is always open”.