I had my first ever model shoot today :)

[MonkeyPie]

Wanna see?

 

[MonkeyPie]

I have a couple more I''m pretty proud of how well they came out.

 

[MonkeyPie]

They look worse because I had to format them smaller to be able to upload them, but the forum won''t allow a link to my flick-r stream :/

 

[MonkeyPie]

Pretty?

 

[MonkeyPie]

I''ll stop for now

 

[FrekeChild]

Have you thought about wandering UNM during the school day and asking people there? Do you have any business cards?

I think they came out really well, btw. How did you find her?

 

[bee*]

They look great. I love the first one.

 

[Tuckins1]

Very nice!

 

[strmrdr]

needs some post processing.
Hope you don't mind but I did a 3 minute edit.
This is just a quick edit to pop the eyes, lips and smooth the skin.
The hair could use some work but that's more than I am going to do.
I would also clone out the vertical line to the left of her as it is distracting.

Do you want some super fussy CC on the others?

 

[strmrdr]

This is how I would have shot it.
The rule of thirds gives this image an added boost.

 

[beau13]

Nice, but I agree with Strmdr..they need a little prost processing to enhance color. I like what he did with the pic (2nd he posted) with the little boost! (post processed). Keep it up Monkeypie..it's a good start!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

MP, these are a great start! I always love pics with some amount of post-processing, and the second one Karl did looks great!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Karl, please forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is post processing? I mean, I get the general idea that it''s electronic improvements to the photos, but can you explain in a little more detail please? I would really like to know a bit more about this, it''s really cool!

Thanks
Jen

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/28/2008 3:25:17 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell
Karl, please forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is post processing? I mean, I get the general idea that it''s electronic improvements to the photos, but can you explain in a little more detail please? I would really like to know a bit more about this, it''s really cool!


Thanks

Jen

Whats funny is the second one I posted I just cropped it.
Model photos are expected to be at least smoothed.
The first one I posted may look a little light on a non-calibrated lcd''s I used my printing default rather than my web default.

Post processing includes:
color correction
white balance (matching the picture to the lighting it was taken in)
cropping (removing unwanted areas)
smoothing (make things look smoother)
sharpening (make small details stand out more)
contrast (changing the light and dark relationship)
brightness
curves (an image is made up of red green and blue, changing them individually)
noise removal (remove unwanted noise)
cloning (taking one area of the photo and copy it over another area to hide things)
matching it to how it will be displayed. An image to be printed looks much different than one for the web. The same image optimized for 2 different printers or labs will look different.

and many other things.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thanks, that''s interesting. How is the smoothing done? I have some pics I''d like to work on - what''s the best software for this?

Oh, and I must be tired, because I read that as nose removal!

Jen

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/28/2008 6:02:06 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell
Thanks, that''s interesting. How is the smoothing done? I have some pics I''d like to work on - what''s the best software for this?


Oh, and I must be tired, because I read that as nose removal!


Jen

I use photoshop and noise ninja.
Which image editing software do you use?
Photoshop elements and paint shop pro are the best consumer grade editing software for someone who is semi-serious about it.

Here is one way of hundreds for doing it in elements:

http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/retouching/smooth_skin/1_smooth_skin.htm

 

[beau13]

I got my Photoshop Elements about 5 weeks ago, then bought a book called "Teach Yourself Visually" and it has made it a little easier to comprehend. The software can do alot to improve your pics, I just have to figure it all out!! lol

 

[MonkeyPie]

Thanks strm. I actually did touch her up - I cleared her skin and softened it just a touch, but I try to stay away from too much post processing. I prefer for my shots to look decent straight from the lens - and if they don''t, then I work harder to achieve that

Thanks for all the comments guys! Freke, I actually found this girl through modelmayhem - she''s a newbie but she''s cute.

I had my second photo shoot today, and with the help of my amazing photographer friend Niko Villegas, I got some MUCH better shots. Want to see more?

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/28/2008 10:58:11 PM
Author: MonkeyPie
Thanks strm. I actually did touch her up - I cleared her skin and softened it just a touch, but I try to stay away from too much post processing. I prefer for my shots to look decent straight from the lens - and if they don''t, then I work harder to achieve that


Thanks for all the comments guys! Freke, I actually found this girl through modelmayhem - she''s a newbie but she''s cute.


I had my second photo shoot today, and with the help of my amazing photographer friend Niko Villegas, I got some MUCH better shots. Want to see more?

sure post em up.
skin smoothing is something you do in post or you pay a makeup artist big bucks to do it before you take the shot.
these days it is almost always done in post processing.

 

[TravelingGal]

MP, it's still a personal page (even though it's hosted by deviantart) so it may still be breaking the rules.

The newer ones are better, I agree. I do second strm's advice to use more the basic rule of thirds. A lot of your subjects are kind of right in the middle of the pic and it would be more interesting composition wise if you could mix it up a bit.

Nice work!

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Monkey, are you looking to get into photography?

You should call different modeling agencies and ask if any of their signed models would be willing to do TFP with you. You should contact different "artist" agencies as well, and see if you can''t hook up with a stylist and a hair/makeup girl.

Everyone out there in this line of business is looking to build their portfolio, and it really is a "one hand washes the other" industry.

Modelmayhem is an okay place to get fresh talent...but working with tried and true pros will make your photos look better because it''s not just you and your ideas, it becomes a huge colaboration, its exciting.

 

[iheartscience]

I like the new ones! But I LOVE your other macro shots the most of all!

 

[MonkeyPie]

Darn - I didn''t realize ANY page with my stuff on it would be blocked. Sigh. From now on I will just edit them to post here heh.

I was using the general rule of thirds, though if a picture has the model in the middle I am ok with it as long as she isn''t looking straight at the camera, like in a boring high school photo. Something else has to be unique. For only my second model shoot I got some good feedback which is encouraging.

Where I live, there aren''t many models or agencies to choose from. I am trying to get a portfolio together with what I can so I can start shooting weddings and other events, and do portraits as an added bonus. I have another shoot this coming weekend so I must be fairly decent lol. I''m just glad I have gotten my feet in the water after trying for so long with no success.

thing2of2, I prefer macro photography to human models It''s easier to control and so much fun! But there isn''t too much of a market for it lol.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Monkeypie...you don''t have to live near any agencies...most models don''t either. They can hook you up with locally signed talent to you.

Your work looks good...you''re heading in a great direction creatively

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Date: 9/28/2008 6:51:52 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 9/28/2008 6:02:06 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell
Thanks, that''s interesting. How is the smoothing done? I have some pics I''d like to work on - what''s the best software for this?


Oh, and I must be tired, because I read that as nose removal!


Jen

I use photoshop and noise ninja.
Which image editing software do you use?
Photoshop elements and paint shop pro are the best consumer grade editing software for someone who is semi-serious about it.

Here is one way of hundreds for doing it in elements:

http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/retouching/smooth_skin/1_smooth_skin.htm

Thanks Karl. I don''t have any software other than the package that came with my Sony cybershot camera. I''ve neen looking into getting photoshop.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 9/30/2008 3:43:20 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell

Date: 9/28/2008 6:51:52 PM

Author: strmrdr
Here is one way of hundreds for doing it in elements:


http://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/retouching/smooth_skin/1_smooth_skin.htm

Thanks Karl. I don''t have any software other than the package that came with my Sony cybershot camera. I''ve neen looking into getting photoshop.

Mrs. Mitchell, I''d definitly invest in Photoshop if you can - it has been my trusty companion for many art-related subjects over the years.

For the skin smoothing, I generally use a touch of blur, the clone stamp, and quick mask. I abhore using gaussian blur since it kills the little edges of the nose, eyes, eyebrows and mouth, which are all necessary to make your model look like a human being rather than a doll. Dolls are cute, but if I wanted one of those, I could go buy one

I have a shoot tomorrow for my friends kiddos and another this coming weekend - I''ll post one or two up for your perusal, strm. It''s nice to have some feedback, since thus far I have mostly been getting only encouragement that I am doing great as opposed to critiques. I actually hate CC, because I tend to be a little too sensitive, but it really is helpful.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/30/2008 3:43:20 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell
Thanks Karl. I don''t have any software other than the package that came with my Sony cybershot camera. I''ve neen looking into getting photoshop.

Start out with photoshop elements.
It is enough for most people and will serve you for a few years until your ready for some of the advanced features in the full photoshop.
I know a high end wedding photog that uses elements.
It really is a powerful package for the price and what you learn applies directly to photoshop should you choose to move up.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/30/2008 11:15:24 PM
Author: MonkeyPie
strm. It''s nice to have some feedback, since thus far I have mostly been getting only encouragement that I am doing great as opposed to critiques. I actually hate CC, because I tend to be a little too sensitive, but it really is helpful.

I hate cc too.
I wont be too rough and for each criticism will tell you what I think could be better and why and when possible how to do it.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Thanks strm
I should have some more for you tonight! There is a huge bush full of butterflies here at work too, so I am going to try and get some of those for a pretty fun shot.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 10/1/2008 10:05:37 AM
Author: MonkeyPie
Thanks strm

I should have some more for you tonight! There is a huge bush full of butterflies here at work too, so I am going to try and get some of those for a pretty fun shot.

Kewl I love butterflies!!!