Photographing a black model

[glassman1]

Hi,

I am about to photograph a black model shortly and would like some tips on getting the best results!!

[Drax]

Hi, and welcome @ DPS!

I am black myself and the problem i have encounter (often) while doing some pics of myself or when someone shoots me, is the contrast.

The one advice i will give you is that, try not to photograph your model near a pure white background (or even a bright one) without you having enough light. You may end up seeing only his/her teeth and eyes and the rest of the face will be darken.

My one cent.

Cheers!

[kencaleno]

Get an incident reading,from a flash meter,or from something like this:

This is a gadget I made-Just two UV filters with a circle of coffee filter between then and a lenshood

To use as an incident light meter:
As you may be aware, your camera measures reflected light readings,which can vary according to tone of subject,because light reflects those tones.

Incident light is light falling on subject, which is consistent,whatever the tone of subject-You point camera,(with this gadget attached) from subject position towards where shot is to be made from. Use A/Av mode to get reading,transfer this reading to manual mode, detach gadget. Position yourself for shot, make exposure Voila! perfect exposure!-(Good for getting detail in white wedding dress and black tuxedo in wedding formal shoots)

This gadget actuall serves a double purpose-It can be used as an expodisk for custom white balance setting:

To use as a custom White balance tool-Go into custom White Balance in camera menu,and point camera at dominant light source.And follow instruction in camera's manual(As per Expodisk)



Regards, Ken

[charlotteinkennesaw]

I will be shooting a black woman and her granddaughter soon and don't have separate light meter. Would it be adviseable to over expose the photos one or two stops?

Charlotte

Originally Posted by Drax

Hi, and welcome @ DPS!

I am black myself and the problem i have encounter (often) while doing some pics of myself or when someone shoots me, is the contrast.

The one advice i will give you is that, try not to photograph your model near a pure white background (or even a bright one) without you having enough light. You may end up seeing only his/her teeth and eyes and the rest of the face will be darken.

My one cent.

Cheers!

[kencaleno]

Set camera to spot metering-then focus on the face. Ken