When To Shoot Human Models

[Peach]

So, since my pool of models is limited to a dog that never sits still except when the camera isn't pointed at her and the inanimate objects around me all the time, I've decided that I'd like to get some experience with, you know, actual people (or even other pets).

Rather than going with people I don't know and feeling weird, I thought I could offer my Facebook friends the opportunity for some good laughs and some pictures (after I get my 35mm lens).

My question though is: When do you know or feel that you have enough experience to do something like that?

I'm questioning whether I have enough know-how or even talent to begin to go down that route even though I'd really like to.

I'm getting a firmer grasp every day on aperture, shutter speeds, etc. etc. and would really like to test this stuff out on someone other than me or the dog or whathaveyou.

I realize that you can't get the experience if you don't get out there to begin with, but I am wondering if I should even be considering it right now when I'm so new to photography.

I figure that once my 35mm comes in, I'll be much better because right now my best lens is the 50mm that doesn't autofocus on my camera. I find that usually my pictures are really nice (I like them and so does everyone I know who has seen them so they can't HORRIBLE) but because of the manual focus issue, they're not as nice as they -could- be.

Am I being too optimistic?

Help! Please?

[SwissJon]

You know that time when you learned to ride bikes? Remember falling off a few times before you "got it"?? What about learning to drive a car? Did you crunch the gears a few times and kangaroo off down the road before you got the knack? I know I did.

This is no different.. You'll never be ready unless you start... Tell your mates what you want, tell them that you don't really have any experience etc, so they're not expecting brilliance, and then just enjoy yourself.. First few times you'll get it wrong.. You need to be in charge of the model, tell them how to pose, but you'll lack confidence, you'll try to rush it, you'll be all fingers and thumbs and everything will feel alien.. But that's perfectly normal, and you'll get over it, but only after a few goes.

Oh, and I'd be seriously thinking about using your 50 1.8 not the 35. The 35 gives the same field of view as your eyes on a crop sensor, but the 50 gives the same perspective which will mean your models won't look odd simply because you had to get to close to get a close up.. The 35 is great for full body shots, but the 50 is much nicer for head and shoulders shots or upper torso. That's important when you're giving it a go for the first few times..

Anyways.. Enjoy yourself.. If you're enjoying yourself and having a laugh with the model, it actually comes out in the models facial expressions, and can really make a difference to a photo.. Nothing worse than photographing a bored looking model.

[BigFuzzy]

Short answer: You only learn (and get better) by doing.

Long answer: Friends are exactly the type of folks you should be practicing on. It helps because you already know each other, they're comfy with you, you with them and they know you're just beginning so their expectations are/should be low. Yes, you should be considering it.

A couple of things I'd suggest you DO do before shooting them are as follows:
1. Try to know your camera as best possible. It really screws up the mood if you're spending too much time playing with the camera/settings. Of course you're new and you are still learning, but knowing how to change some basic settings will go far.
2. Have ideas of what sort of images you want to shoot. Again, if you're spending a lot of time sitting around trying to think of ideas on what to shoot you'll put your model/friend in a weird position of just sitting there awkwardly. Go to website of photographers you like, or sites like flickr, and get ideas of poses and settings you want to use so you're always active.

So, to recap. Do it. Do it with gusto. But don't just go in blindly, go in as prepared as possible with ideas already in mind.
And have fun!
Oh and post some results!

[Peach]

Should I offer prints or a CD or anything as compensation for their time?
What about model releases?

I remember the first time I drove a car (well, a truck. Our 1984 yellow Datsun, stick shift, 3 seats). My mom and I got into a yelling match with a truck driver who threatened to pull a baseball bat on us (lol). But, I did get better after that so I do understand what you mean. You can only gain experience and knowledge by actually doing something.

I love my 50mm, but I'd love it MORE if it auto-focused. That's my main concern about this: the lack of autofocus and why the 35mm might be better. I've alread the 35 is more closer to a 50mm in pictures than the 50mm which is more closer to a 75-ish? Not sure if I remembered that correctly. I'd still like to have it, but if you think the 50 will be best, then I'll stick with that and just emphasize the need for them to stay STILL! lol

BigFuzzy (I wanna squeeze you just b/c of that name, I know that sounds creeptacular): I have so many ideas for pictures/poses/"themes" etc. Right now, I have this fantastic 1950s vinyl kitchen chair (you know the kind that came with those arborite dinettes?) that I reaally want to use in a picture but no one to put on it lol I was thinking something in a field, or (if it snows) out in a field in snow with one of my friends who is kind of into the alternative/1950s retro rocker style - lots of tattoos, thin and with gorgeous bone structure.

I'm getting pretty comfortable with knowing -about- where the aperture should be for a certain photo; if I want just the subject in focus with the background nicely blurred, how to achieve that, about how fast the shutter speed should be, etc. It may take me a few test shots but usually I can get it, so this would probably really help me out. I'm by no means perfect, or even close, but I can definitely see an improvement in the pictures I take now compared to the ones I took 2 years ago.

[BigFuzzy]

Jon and I replied at the same time.. oops. Just wanted to +1 what he said. And that I would normally agree with what he says about the 50mm.. but I also understand your concern with practicing with a manual focus lens at this point in your development. Try with both. Do some 35mm stuff and once everyone is comfy, take your time playing with the 50mm. They'll be more patient by then.

If you're interested in portraiture, you're much better off (as Jon said) with a 50mm. Just ask someone to buy you the cheapo nifty 50mm 1.8 for xmas, it's awesome bang for the buck.

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by Peach

Should I offer prints or a CD or anything as compensation for their time?
What about model releases?

I remember the first time I drove a car (well, a truck. Our 1984 yellow Datsun, stick shift, 3 seats). My mom and I got into a yelling match with a truck driver who threatened to pull a baseball bat on us (lol). But, I did get better after that so I do understand what you mean. You can only gain experience and knowledge by actually doing something.

I love my 50mm, but I'd love it MORE if it auto-focused. That's my main concern about this: the lack of autofocus and why the 35mm might be better. I've alread the 35 is more closer to a 50mm in pictures than the 50mm which is more closer to a 75-ish? Not sure if I remembered that correctly. I'd still like to have it, but if you think the 50 will be best, then I'll stick with that and just emphasize the need for them to stay STILL! lol

Personally I'd offer them one or a couple of images they like from the shoot. Just email them the images. Don't lose money either giving a cd or by making prints. Just give them a full sized 300dpi image and they can do what they want with it.

75mm is typically considered better than 50mm for portraiture, which is why on a cropped sensor the 50mm is great...or at least better than the 35mm. So, go with what you have now, but keep these ideas in mind for the future.

Also, don't just go in and snappity snap.. put thought into it so that you can really learn something from the results. Try to remember what you were going for and compare that to what came out in the end.

And just have fun and learn something

[Peach]

We all posted at the same time lol

Ok, so.. I posted it on Facecrack... I mean Facebook..and we'll see what happens. I have put some recent pictures up there in the past few weeks with positive results from people so hopefully something will happen.

Thank you for your encouragement If I do get some bites, I'll definitely be posting the results!

[cyber3d]

YOu know, you don't need an auto focus lens to get incredible photos. In fact, if you want to GET good, then you want to practice by manually focusing your lens. It will teach you about shallow depth of field shooting (especially useful when you start shooting portraits of your friends). I do a great deal of my photos with Autofocus off.

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by cyber3d

YOu know, you don't need an auto focus lens to get incredible photos. In fact, if you want to GET good, then you want to practice by manually focusing your lens. It will teach you about shallow depth of field shooting (especially useful when you start shooting portraits of your friends). I do a great deal of my photos with Autofocus off.

Agreed, but in the end I thought it was clear (to me at least) that being new she didn't want to worry about having to do manual focus and wanted to focus (excuse the pun) on other issues.

Anything to contribute to her actual question?

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by cyber3d

YOu know, you don't need an auto focus lens to get incredible photos. In fact, if you want to GET good, then you want to practice by manually focusing your lens. It will teach you about shallow depth of field shooting (especially useful when you start shooting portraits of your friends). I do a great deal of my photos with Autofocus off.

I agree... But.. the 50 1.8 has a very shallow depth of field.. Get it slightly off and you have their nose in focus not their eyes.. When you're learning, I think jumping in at the deep end like taht if you're made of strong stuff, but if you're feeling a lack of confidence, you'll be better off with an AF..

Peaches.. Have you looked on ebay for a second hand 50? There's a few on there at not very much money.. i found this on Ebay Canada for you:

NIKON Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 AF Prime Lens (1.8 Autofocus) for D300,D90,D7000,D700,D3 | eBay

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 Lens | eBay

Nikon Nikkor 50 mm F/1.8D AF Lens/ D40 D90 D80 D7000 5D | eBay

NIKON NIKKOR 50 MM CAMERA LENS F/1.8 D-AF | eBay

and so on

nikon 50 1.8 af | eBay

I haven't looked much into these, but the prices are next to nothing..