Starting out on Fashion Photography. Please Feedback!

[alfsaav]

I love fashion and beauty, so I've decided I want to get serious about fashion photography. This is my first official photo shot (official as we dedicated specific time and resources for this set of pics to happen). Please feel welcome to tear down the composition, technicalities, and post processing on the pics. I really want to improve and I don't mind the heat as long as is elaborated. Avoid comments such as: Awesome! Nice! Good job! I appreciate that, but they don't help me much.

Model: Hye Eun
Location: Pohang, South Kora
Camera: My Loyal Nikon D300
Lenses: Nikkor 35mm F1.8 and Nikkor 55-200mm VR
Environment: Ambient Light
Assistant: Momo, thanks for translating and playing being the assistant, carrying the gear (Camera lenses, coats and my pokemon lunch-box)

We had lots of fun shooting, and I hope we can repeat soon.

I included some of the photos as attachments in this thread, but if you want to see the whole series, please visit "Sunset and Cappuccinos" series on my Flickr

Thank you, my work is yours to critique!

[kat]

I think, for your first time shooting fashion. lovely job. I can't say much on the technical side of it. I have yet to really shoot in this fashion (but can't wait to try it).

My only thing I can add is.. I remember watching America's Top Model and Tyra saying something to the lines that there are so many pages in a fashion magazine. Most of these pages with something being advertised. You have to have that image that makes a person stop. Catches their eyes and interest. I always think of that when I look at a magazine.

[alfsaav]

There are so many pages in a fashion magazine. Most of these pages with something being advertised. You have to have that image that makes a person stop. Catches their eyes and interest. I always think of that when I look at a magazine.

I appreciate the honesty

I love this forum btw and Marko if you are reading this, I always listen to your podcasts.. I am so happy I found your site! You are truly a friendly bunch!

[scorpio_e]

Your 5th images is the strongest. Great first attempt

[Marko]

Hey thanks for the compliment!

Fashion photography is hard and this is a good first attempt. Kat gives good advice here - if it's fashion, show us fashion. These seem to be more about the model than the fashion. I realize there are all kinds of 'lifestyle' fashion shots where this does NOT hold true....however as a beginner, I'd recommend nixing those shoots until I could make a coat or skirt or blouse look great on a model.

One thing I noticed is the blank white sky - this is normally a huge distraction when shooting outdoors. A good tip is to use flash for the model and use your shutterspeed to control the background. Become familiar with Polarizing filters and deliberate underexposure of the sky while keeping the subject lit.

In fact for fashion, I recommend learning how to use lights first - in studio. That way you are in FULL control of lighting and you'll learn how to light properly. Then once your comfortable, bring the model outdoors.

Hope that helps - Marko

[alfsaav]

Thank you Marko and Kat, I really appreciate the feedback. You are right, the white background is very distracting. You are also right on that the focus is not too much on the clothing but more on the model. I guess I felt divided on the model beauty and the clothing. It seems to me that there is always a blur between portraiture and fashion photography. Am I wrong here?

Question for everybody: What do you think is the best gear for this type of photography? Zoom Lenses (50mm<)? Normal? or Wideangle (35mm>)? On this series I used mostly a 35mm (50mm Cropped sensor). I know there isn't a right or wrong answer to this, but I would like to know what is most commonly used by pro photographers doing fashion? And yes I know, most high end fashion photography is done using medium format: hazzies, mamiyas, etc.

I am very happy with this experiment, it made me realize how hard this is. There are so many variables involved: Photo Shoot Theme (creative thinking), right camera gear and settings, location, time of the day, lighting, posing and communitaction to the model, time pressure. This is harder than differential equations and abstract algebra putted together!! There is a lot I need to learn, but I hope this thread help others that want to get into beauty and fashion photography.

Cheers from South Korea.

[Marko]

......

Thank you Marko and Kat, I really appreciate the feedback. You are right, the white background is very distracting. You are also right on that the focus is not too much on the clothing but more on the model. I guess I felt divided on the model beauty and the clothing. It seems to me that there is always a blur between portraiture and fashion photography. Am I wrong here?

Hmmm - good question - yes and no for me. Portraiture is always about the subject. Fashion photography is primarily about marketing something. Of course there is overlap in the end result - but portraiture should reveal something [Hopefully true or interesting] about the subject imo, fashion photography...not so much.

Question for everybody: What do you think is the best gear for this type of photography? Zoom Lenses (50mm<)? Normal? or Wideangle (35mm>)? On this series I used mostly a 35mm (50mm Cropped sensor). I know there isn't a right or wrong answer to this, but I would like to know what is most commonly used by pro photographers doing fashion? And yes I know, most high end fashion photography is done using medium format: hazzies, mamiyas, etc.

I'd suggest 3 lenses - wide normal and tele or zoom lenses that cover that range

I am very happy with this experiment, it made me realize how hard this is. There are so many variables involved: Photo Shoot Theme (creative thinking), right camera gear and settings, location, time of the day, lighting, posing and communitaction to the model, time pressure. This is harder than differential equations and abstract algebra putted together!! There is a lot I need to learn, but I hope this thread help others that want to get into beauty and fashion photography.

One last thing - in terms of the studio lighting you need to learm. If you are on a tight budget - just buy 3 or four cheaper portable flashes - master those and you are gloden because you can apply that knowledge to most any future lighting situation. Hope that helps - Marko

Cheers from South Korea.

and one last thing - good on you for posting that poll, it's a FANTASTIC way to really see what more experienced people think and as a beginner that's important info to know.