Fashion Photography

by Dan

This is a continuation of the scribbled notes that I had during the Montage 2009 seminar that I had last May 2009. The topic that I will be sharing is all about the multi-billion dollar world of fashion, particularly fashion photography where this is the reason why we buy designer clothes and accessories since the pictures in the magazines entices us to want and then buy what we see. All of these are courtesy of good photography, concept, ideas, models and post processing of the pictures that makes the designer brands stand out when see them in magazine, brochures, billboards and posters. Well enough said and just go on thru the topics below:

Overview:

• Look at others works
• Learn and build your gear
• Experiment
• Build your portfolio
• Collaborate with make up artist and stylist
• Coordination
• Inspiration

• • Books
  • Magazines
  • Photographers
  • Movies
  • Music MTV
  • Travel

Doing Photo shoots:

• Have a vision, an idea or a concept you have
• Keep up with the current trends in fashion
• Check out magazines
• Watch fashion or lifestyle TV shows

Behind the Scenes:

• Check out concepts and do research
• Coordinate or discuss with the Art Director
• Have your Make up artist (MUA) and Stylist
• Prep up your assistants
• Model briefing

Model Interaction:

• Talk to the model to make her at ease and comfy
• Let the model express about the concept of the shoot
• Control the scene

Delivery:

• Attention to detail (face, hair, clothes, accessories, make up, etc..)
• Angle (front, side, up, low shoots..)
• Know your gear (camera settings, lighting gear,…)
• Setup of equipment for the shoot and location
• Post processing
• Mode of the picture
• Think fast (being able to adapt and flex on different conditions during shoots)
• Basic port processing

Travel Photography

By Dan

It has been a long time since I had been taking photos and to be exact for 2 years now. So far those years spent was more on excitement, exploration and experimentation. One day upon returning the zooms lens that I had borrowed from the rental shop, a flyer in the shop caught my attention. The flyer showcases a seminar, photo contest and exhibit. What interested me was the seminar itself since it’s a cheap price to pay in order for me to grab knowledge and tips from locally known photographers in Singapore. The information that I will share are notes that I had scribbled down from the speakers with some additional inputs from me as well. The seminar topic was about fashion, travel photography and finding your vision in your photography. The seminar information is located at this site Montage 2009.

Below are some of the tips and information that I had scribbled down during that day.

Tips on Becoming or being a travel photographer

• Passion: Travel, peope, places, culture
• Intent: Quality of content, quality of intent
• Flexibility: Use what you have, wait for the moment

On Location:

• Don’t follow the crowd
• Explore the place around you

• Be early in the location you wish to take a photo of

Preparation/Planning:

• “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”
• Destination research
• Medical and heath concerns
• Sorting out the immigration matters/visa/passport
• Choosing the right gear

Destination Research:

• Weather and season of the place you’ll gonna go
• Festivals

• Culture/Religion: Do’s and Dont’s

• Currency
• Banks, ATM, Credit Cards
• Communication, internet, roaming service, wi-fi
• Accommodation
• Food
• Accessibility
• Local guide and transport

• Check website to destination
• Travel guide
• Travel documentary
• Meet and get to know locals

Choosing the Right Gear:

• 2 FX (Full Frame)  bodies (serious stuff)
• 2 DX Bodies (travel stuff and light weight)
• Lenses: 16-35mm/24-70mm/70-200mm (serious stuff)
• Lenses: 18-200mm (travel stuff and light weight)
• Lenses: 50mm/85mm/10.5mm Fisheye
• Flashes, Tripod, Filters
• SD/CF Card
• Media Storage (Vosonic, Epson)

On the Road: Up’s and Down’s:

• Cloudy/Raining: Shoot indoors, get close up shots

• Look for funny things
• Be friendly
• Overcast sky: Get portraits

Setup or Not to Setup:

• Waiting for the moment vs Creating the moment
• Capturing the moment

Home Sweet Home:

• Download your backup
• Sort/Catalog
• RAW conversion
• Edit/Enhance the pictures

To some all this up, just go out take pictures…enjoy what you do!!!