Pictures; Horrible (self) to Great (pro) here on PL, lets better self photography!

[DanO]

Well I have been here for a while and as a budding Pin Up photographer I review many of the pictures on this sight and have noticed a few things. First there are two major categories of pics, professionally  captured and snapshots.  The majority of professional shots look good but of course run from good to great, and so do the amateur pics but there is a very important distinction; the vast majority of amateur based pics, at least what I think are amateur tend to have the majority of them  relegated to the poor end of the spectrum. Many of them are obviously taken with cell phones and many of those in poor sets such as bathrooms, etc.

I say this because ladies, you deserve much better quality photos to show off your assets! So, my questions is; if we could get the various photographers here to start a segment on "How to create you own - Home Grown photo shoot would you be interested? I am a much better adult training instructor than photog but I would certainly contribute and I am sure the pros would too. I think we could help you become much better photographers, is there any interest??

Dan

[Lolita Black]

You know that kinda sounds like a good idea. I've worked with two professional photographers that are awesome, but I have very limited scratch and there aren't too many photogs very close by. Some of my very first pics I had to do them at home and "wing it" and I always wondered about how to set up lighting.

[Mica]

I think it's a great idea, and any help by photographers would be appreciated.  It would help me to get some practice shots at home so I can see which poses/expressions work (or dont) so when I go to a professional pinup photographer I'll be better prepared to share my thoughts & preferences with them.  (I dislike almost all shots of my face in profile and am looking for ways to shoot around things I don't like about myself....)

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

I think it's a great idea. Photographers can chime in on backgrounds (it can be as simple as a white wall or hanging a sheet, but neatly, no wrinkles), lights, angles, and ways to mount your camera (even a phone can be velcroed  to an old tripod). Experienced models can talk about facial expressions, angles, colors. Even make up artists can get in on it, what color make up is best, etc.

I'd love to hear some more ideas on what else everyone would like to see or what you could contribute to this project.

[michael erickson]

Would be very interested in a class like this, I could really use some help.

[Manu C. Photography]

It's really interesting idea. Will be a great wiki of information

[Natalia Skye{★}]

i love the idea! i have added some of those self pics with no makeup on and things like that so people can see what they are working with however i do have pro pics as well. But yes its a wonderful idea!

[Stiletto Sweetheart]

I think that's a really good idea! I see girls who post bad quality pictures all the time that are obviously not professional. They are lovely girls but the pictures do not do them justice. And it's a little hard to call yourself a model when your pictures don't look so, uhm, professional.. Haha. So I think it would be great if photographers here could give them a few pointers. They deserve to have decent pictures of themselves! Hell, I'd even want to know how to take some better at home photos!

And I really like Roxy's idea of everyone pitching in from photographers to makeup artists. I'd be down to give posing tips, even makeup and hair tips (:

[JessieRox]

Great ideas, I would love to know more :) 

Roxy Tart {Madam/Community Mgr} said:

I think it's a great idea. Photographers can chime in on backgrounds (it can be as simple as a white wall or hanging a sheet, but neatly, no wrinkles), lights, angles, and ways to mount your camera (even a phone can be velcroed  to an old tripod). Experienced models can talk about facial expressions, angles, colors. Even make up artists can get in on it, what color make up is best, etc.

I'd love to hear some more ideas on what else everyone would like to see or what you could contribute to this project.

[Tim Oliver]

Hello all on PL,

First I want to make it clear that photographers spend a lot of time and money honing our craft and buying equipment. With that said I also understand that not everyone can have access to or afford a photographer. I do believe that you can take a pretty good amateur shot yourself. Here are some secrets....

(1) The camera. It does not have to be a $5,000 camera, but if you think you are going to get a great photo with your iPhone then I have some great Russian swampland to sell you. A digital SLR kit that you can get a major discount chain will work fine. Couple of hundred bucks max.

(2) Tripod. If you are not use to the focusing and holding of a camera I would suggest a cheap $50.00 or so tripod. It will make a big difference for eliminating camera shake.

(3) Lighting is what separates a professional from an amateur. Professional lighting sets can range from a couple of hundred bucks to millions. I do believe that you can do a decent job with some home lighting. Understand that lights need to be more powerful than you would think. I have seen some halogen construction lights on tripods (They sell them a your local Home Depot or Loews) used very effectively. An minimum of two are need with a smaller light to light up the backdrop. Placement should be a 45 degree angles from the model with one brighter than the other. Seldom do you want to shoot the model with light straight from the camera's view.

(4) The set is totally up to the photographer or model. In my humble opinion simple is better. If you look at classic pinups there were not much to the set. I would suggest adding a small prop to tie the model to the background. Use one on the smaller lights (shop lights will work) aimed at the backdrop to highlight it.

I hope this helps you guys. Again I want you to keep in mind that this is a very basic shoot set up. There are so many variables that professionals take into consideration to get that awesome shot. But that is what we do, study and learn and take lots of classes to understand our profession. If anyone has in specific questions I will try and answer them. G*** luck and send me a shot of what you take.

Tim

Geeky Pinups

[Stiletto Sweetheart]

There are a lot of photographers that don't charge also, or charge very little. So if money is someone's issue for not getting professional shots I suggest getting yourself a Model Mayhem account and finding photographers in your area who shoot TFP. The most I've ever paid for a shoot is $50 and I think all my photos have come out really great.

[NicoleLashay]

I think it sounds like a fantastic idea, and believe I could definitley use some help on staging better photos!

[Dartmanz]

I like this idea! I currently shoot Holltwood "glamour" photos of women over 50. I have also done pinups like the ones I've posted here. BrittanyJean is a professional model and was extremely easy to work with.

However, the discussion topics could range from lighting and posing to makeup and hair to what makes it a pinup of a particular era. I know some of the ones I have done are 'caught' by those historians out there. That hairdo doesn't match the clothing, furniture, etc, etc. So this discussion thread may be very instrumental in answering some of these questions or broken into smaller discussion theads.

Thoughts???