First Real Photoshoot

[3100DR6]

Alright well i would like to introduce my self to DPS. My name is Ivan i've been doing photography for 6 years now and i finally decide to move into the model industrie. I have set up a photoshoot with a model this upcoming Saturday. The photoshoot will take place at a swimming pool during the day. I would like to maybe get some tips/advice on this task. I will be shooting with a Nikon D3100.

[scootermcq]

Swimming Pool during the day??? Bring 1 big ass diffuser with you....

[3100DR6]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Swimming Pool during the day??? Bring 1 big ass diffuser with you....

Yea the photoshoot is going to be during the day. bad idea?

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Swimming Pool during the day??? Bring 1 big ass diffuser with you....

Or a big strobe to overpower the sun with or both.

Keep the electronic equipment dry too.

[3100DR6]

well i just order my self a sb600 but i dont think it will be here in time for the shoot. If i don't have a diffuser or a strobe at my hand. What can i be expecting?

[oldwolf]

Harsh light. Harsh reflective light if you're in the pool. Model squinting from the harsh light unless you put sunglasses on them. Probably deep shadows around the eyes as well if the sun is up there. If you're in the pool then the pool might reflect some of the light back up for fill.

You can still get some cool shots. Just have to think about them and plan a bit. Won't get as many good shots as you'd like without a strong flash and/or a big diffusion panel though.

[3100DR6]

i have a Quantaray Q15.. would i be able to use that? i've messed around with it on the 3100 but still trying to figure out the correct settings.

[oldwolf]

That might give you a bare minimum of fill light but I wouldn't expect too much out of it if it doesn't.

[GreggObst]

Depending on how harsh the sun is when you shoot, given that you don't have access to big strobes, you may want to consider using a large white bed sheet. Tack the sides to a pole on either side. This is a poor man's "Silk" and it will act as a large sun blocker/diffuser for you. Have two people help you by each holding a pole so that the sheet is between the sun and your subject. Then you should be able to pop your subject with whatever flash you have available at the time.

Going forward, the biggest advantage you will have at a shoot like this is thorough preparation. It sounds like you didn't plan this one all too well if you didn't have the new SB-600 arrive weeks ahead of the shoot so you had time to work with it and figure out what specific techniques you might need more help with. The one thing that will sink a shoot faster than anything else is poor preparation.