fashion shoot - behind the scenes

[Onyx]

I was fortunate enough to tag along with our forum-famous fashion photog Wendell on his first commercial project over the weekend. It was great fun and I think Wendell rose to the challenge of the occasion and nailed it. The weather also turned out to be excellent at least for the first day of shooting, so I guess someone's watching out for our Wendell from above.

I learned alot that day - of techniques, skills and the role of equipment; met some interesting/influential people, and was humbled by the down-to-earthness of high end fashion label company CEOs, professional (child) models and their assistants.

I also learned of a number of issues pertaining to commerical photography - the one I'm most pissed off about is the cost to usefulness ratio of obtaining shooting permits from the council/national park/state gov to do a commercial shoot at Mrs Macq's Chair.

Here's the setup - all sprawled out. Note the clothing rack by the tree.


Confirmation of location, the opera house and coathanger in the background. (Wendell taking stock IR shots for the backgrounds to be used in the shoot)


Photog, client and model reviewing images under a giant light reflector.


Art Director and photographer Wendell with lighting technician 'Boz' - who's a glamour photog with a decade's experience in his own right. Yes, that's the back of the two models on the left.


Packing up at the end of the day, a job well done.

[Nnnnsic]

Nifty.

Interesting that you censored out the little girl in that last shot.

[Alpha_7]

Thanks for sharing Chi, will be interesting to see Wendell's results as well, if he is allowed to share them with us.

I had a laugh at the clothes rack, it's like twice as long as the longest garment hanging on it

[Alpha_7]

Nifty.

Interesting that you censored out the little girl in that last shot.

Really ? I just though he needed a wet clean

[birddog114]

with our forum-famous fashion photog Wendell

Yes, I agreed! he's also famous on other topics & subjects as well not only fashion

[birddog114]

Yes, and the clothing rack for a famous fashion designer

[Killakoala]

It looks more like a picnic

Nice commentary Chi.

[sirhc55]

Nicely done Chi

[Onyx]

Thnx all. Wendell's official pics will amaze you - if/when he can publish them. The studio light makes a HUGE difference... as too, I would hope, the fill flash provided by the SB800 connected via SC-28 sync cord (as I was the trained monkey holding it).

Ok, for those technically inclined, picture this: 1/250s, f/8 to f/11 set in camera, with a big strobe perfectly illuminating the model, and abovementioned SB800 shot iTTL-BL with -3EV opposing the strobe. What results is an underexposed/darkened background and the model/clothing simply popping out - with great contrast and fantastic fall-off into the shadows type 3D image. It's not like the conventional boring outdoor portrait with everything flat and foreground exposure matching the background, it replicates studio like results with artistic flare - all shot on location and all done without fancy photoshop effects. I was truly amazed.

Leigh - I think I've come to understand the paranoia surrounding the populace regarding photography of children and publishing online... hence she was censored. Also the shots are very small and of low quality to prevent recognition - as I don't believe I should be publishing these shots, I think I may have an implied non-disclosure over the shoot....

[wendellt]

my my

Onyx you have revealed my trade secrets 1/250 strobe with 2nd flash -3 EV, now anyone can duplicate a gucci/Prada look

nah only joking I say share the info if people can do it good on em! there is much more to it than just technical skills alone, getting a stunning shot is about art drection that is very individualistic

Chi came along after the minimeet as he gave me a lift to the city, rockkstar wanted to tag along sunday but it was raining and the plan b setup at the clients house wasn't the best scene for bystanders.
Thanks Chi for being instrumental during the shoot i had enough to contend with chasing around 2 kids and getting them pose on cue.

I had a great time regardless of all the hassle with kids, location, organization, red tape and the weather.
I started of disliking kids now i find them to be quite entertaining and fun.

Chi sunday rained so we re-located to clients house and setup mini studio inside simulate dthe same lighting conditions and shot all day, now i am dead.
final shoot this saturday location to be confirmed.

hopefully in 3 weeks when the catalogue is published i can post.

One thing i don't get I am no pro I do this and my other gigis part time so if this is my first commercial shoot which i am in charge off and they are paying me to do(i do have an ABN) does that make me a pro now?

[birddog114]

One thing i don't get I am no pro I do this and my other gigis part time so if this is my first commercial shoot which i am in charge off and they are paying me to do(i do have an ABN) does that make me a pro now?

Having ABN and claim as a Pro? yes, you can! why not?

Want to be or look like a pro, you need few more assistances which you can recruit around the venues and yourself with 2 or 3 camera bodies hanging around your neck + number of pro zoom or prime lenses, heap of gadgets around your belt and walk like an Egyptian

[Nnnnsic]

I've got a degree, an ABN, and have been using cameras since I was 8... so.. 14 years... does this make me a Pro?

Who cares!

Just call yourself a photographer. That's all that matters.

[birddog114]

A Pro for what?

[nito]

Boy contradicting stories. Wendell says the kids were trouble, but from your shots and commentary they were angels.

Anyway onyx, did wendell end up paying you macca's rates or was the experience enough?