How to do a simple photo shoot?

[JEDI]

I'm posting this in Cameras instead of ATOT because i'm likely to get better answers than a troll saying "PICS?"

Background:
I just bought a Canon A570-IS (THREAD)

Convinced female friend to let me take a few pics of her, but she wants it like those in a non-T&A magazine. (ie: something ALOT more conservative than Maxim.)

So how do i set up a simple photo shoot? and what Props? (i'm thinking wooden stool chair, and a white background.)

THX

edit:
fixed typo

edit2:
where to get one of those white background screens? Something similiar to that at Walmart?

 

[GrJohnso]

I think you meant to say, "a lot MORE conservative than Maxim" as last time I checked, Maxim didn't leave leave much more than a few patches of skin unexposed... If you actually have a GF who wants something less conservative than Maxim, then yah, um, PICS? just kidding...

I'm not a studio guy myself, but the key is indirect light, and more than one source to reduce shadows. I'll let the real pro's chime in now, as you'll need some creativity to get the right lighting without conventional flashes and lightboxes, due to the use of a p&s camera without external flash.

 

[ghostman]

Softbox or umbrella with an off-camera flash. Ideally, the flash is a studio flash with a modeling light, but a camera flash unit would work as well. Trigger the flash with a PC cord or wireless IR or RF system.

If you're looking for a fabric background, you can check photo stores, ebay or any fabric store would probably work. Search for the term "muslin":
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bn...otPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=22&Go.y=18&Go=submit

If you're looking to get a seamless background, paper might be what you need:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bn...ar&A=search&Q=&ci=1395

I hear some people say to get grey backgrounds, then use a light to overexpose to white or no light to underexpose to black. Dark backgrounds do provide richer colors when using gels. I've never done a studio shoot, so I can't really say. virtualmike can probably give invaluable tips (his site has some amazing stuff: blindmike.com).

 

[ThePresence]

There are many different ways to set up a shoot, that's where your creativity comes in. Just realize that lighting and setup is something which takes long hours of trial and error until you develop your style. It's not something that you're going to learn in a couple of hours, so don't expect magazine quality right away even if you have the right equipment. Good luck!

 

[virtuamike]

Uh oh, gonna be a little limited.

The key to shooting white background effectively is to light it separately from your subject and to control that through distance, flagging, and any other means. Zach Arias has a great article covering how to light white seamless.

The problem is that I don't see a way for you to trigger flashes other than using optical slaves that'll ignore the preflash on your A570. I don't know if it has an option to shoot flash in manual to get rid of the TTL preflash stuff.

Hate saying it, but you're probably going to be stuck with constant lighting (ugh). They'll run hot, but I just don't see too many other alternatives. Some guys use work lights from Home Depot. Generic fluorescents also work, though generally they don't output as much. Just make sure you're running the same type of lighting all the way around so you're not mixing your light sources.

I like using white seamless. You can pick them up at photography stores. If you don't have one local, then try B&H or Calumet and get it shipped.

Personally I wouldn't use the stool - it's very static. I use them for beauty shots because I don't want the model to move around much. But I've seen plenty of shots with stools that are awesome, so it's your call.

I'm not too huge into props, but again your call.

As far as the shoot itself goes, it's up to you to figure that out (notice the pattern). Go through magazines and find what you like and don't like. There's nothing wrong with looking for inspiration especially when you're just starting out. Make sure you communicate constantly with your subject. Direct the shoot. Pay attention and keep up a rhythm when shooting. And above all have fun and enjoy it.