What do you do with conceptual photography?

[ChrisAdval]

I'm looking to get into this type of photography within model photography, but what really scares me is putting into the time of preparation, energy, and even money that requires to have a successful shoot. I need any tips you have, I also need tips on how to find big props without having much a budget, such as finding couches, or even wardrobe, but only use it for that one shoot... so instead of buying it and may not ever using the props again how do you guys get props and wardrobe without spending a ton? And before doing a conceptual shoot do you only deal with experienced, established, models? Do you deal with any models you have not worked with before for a conceptual shoot?

[Liz Caldwell]

I generally use digital backgrounds and props.

Both of these were shot on plain white backgrounds, there was no wash tub in the actual shoot. These are both a few years old when I was first trying out the "green screen" technique (plain black or white is MUCH easier than green to edit out) so I fully admit there are mistakes.

On the first one you can kind of see a bit of a white "glow" around the model, I've since learned that I should have contracted the selection by about 3 px before feathering the selection by a few pixels. I also found that playing with the inner and outer glows in the layer styles menu can often help

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by Liz Caldwell

I generally use digital backgrounds and props.

Both of these were shot on plain white backgrounds, there was no wash tub in the actual shoot. These are both a few years old when I was first trying out the "green screen" technique (plain black or white is MUCH easier than green to edit out) so I fully admit there are mistakes.

On the first one you can kind of see a bit of a white "glow" around the model, I've since learned that I should have contracted the selection by about 3 px before feathering the selection by a few pixels. I also found that playing with the inner and outer glows in the layer styles menu can often help

would the digital props/backgrounds are of your digital design or got it from online or some sort of CD that has the props pre-installed?

[Liz Caldwell]

I got a few dvd's (including that bash tub scene) from this ebay seller: Digital Photo Backgrounds, megapixel items in Photography By Katrina Brown store on eBay!

Other ones I photographed myself, and others I created from free use stock images

[KongeTorsk]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

I'm looking to get into this type of photography within model photography, but what really scares me is putting into the time of preparation, energy, and even money that requires to have a successful shoot. I need any tips you have, I also need tips on how to find big props without having much a budget, such as finding couches, or even wardrobe, but only use it for that one shoot... so instead of buying it and may not ever using the props again how do you guys get props and wardrobe without spending a ton? And before doing a conceptual shoot do you only deal with experienced, established, models? Do you deal with any models you have not worked with before for a conceptual shoot?

There's the obvious, such as 'ask a neighbor/friend to use their props,' and the probably still obvious, buy it at a garage sale and pitch it. Of course, there are ways around spending money at all. For example, my avatar was from a conceptual shoot, when I knew there would be some sundogs and a circumhorizontal arc in the sky. Money involved? Not much. Just me and a remote control for the camera. Still conceptual though. Obviously, using yourself as a model will drastically cut costs, and you can always tell the model exactly what to do with only the power of thought. :P
When doing any sort of model shoot, I would prefer to use someone with experience.
Remember: You don't always need a model, to find someone who can model. Trek on down to your local '(Insert City Name Here) Community Player's" Theatre for some actors with potential modeling experience. More than likely, the older the actor, the higher chance they will require less pay, be more experienced and be more eager to do the shoot.
I was able to save myself a lot money by using an uncle who has played as an extra in a few movie films before. He knew exactly what he was doing and how to control his facial and body expressions to get precisely what you wanted.
Good luck on your shoot!

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by KongeTorsk

There's the obvious, such as 'ask a neighbor/friend to use their props,' and the probably still obvious, buy it at a garage sale and pitch it. Of course, there are ways around spending money at all. For example, my avatar was from a conceptual shoot, when I knew there would be some sundogs and a circumhorizontal arc in the sky. Money involved? Not much. Just me and a remote control for the camera. Still conceptual though. Obviously, using yourself as a model will drastically cut costs, and you can always tell the model exactly what to do with only the power of thought. :P
When doing any sort of model shoot, I would prefer to use someone with experience.
Remember: You don't always need a model, to find someone who can model. Trek on down to your local '(Insert City Name Here) Community Player's" Theatre for some actors with potential modeling experience. More than likely, the older the actor, the higher chance they will require less pay, be more experienced and be more eager to do the shoot.
I was able to save myself a lot money by using an uncle who has played as an extra in a few movie films before. He knew exactly what he was doing and how to control his facial and body expressions to get precisely what you wanted.
Good luck on your shoot!

Thanks a lot Konge! That helped a lot!