Amateur who would like to step up...

[Buckaroo]

I have been a avid photographer for some time. Mainly static scapes, cars, & trains. This on top of sketching and painting for about 20 years.

In an attempt to move in the direction of pin-up what suggestions could you provide?

I shoot with a Nikon D90[kit lens]. I have been considering a good fisheye, and possibly a wide angle to get up close to the subject while capturing most of it[A common problem when photographing trains]. Any reccomendations?

Is it possible to rent some studio time[ I haven't got the space for one at the moment, I had one when I sketched more], and contact models for shoots? What are the rates[General info would be fine, just to get me thinking]?

Many thanks to those of you who have welcomed me already, as for the rest of you, I look forward to chatting,

Buckaroo [Reposted from my blog @ Seanna/Dixie Diamond {M}'s suggestion]

[Bluebonnet Bombshells]

You just need to get out there and start shooting people! I'm sure there are studios for rent on Chicago, but I would stick with outside locations first, there is less to deal with lighting-wise, and from your experience the lighting outside would not be an issue. You could concentrate on the model instead. Maybe start with girls and cars if you already have the car thing down pretty well.


If you are shooting people, don't go with a wide lens. It only works on rare occasion for people photography, and it's tricky to pull off without the the dog nose or giant knee (foot, hand whatever is closed to the lens) look. Nothing wrong with the kit lens for the time being, I'd invest in lights instead. Get a couple of hot shoe mounted flashes to help control the light outside and move from there. And if you don't already know about it start reading Strobist for lighting ideas.

One thing that might help you out a lot in the beginning is taking a glamour type photo workshop. You'll get access to models that actually know how to pose (HUGE deal), photographer instructors that can help you out, and fellow students to make connections with.

Good luck!

[Buckaroo]

@ Bluebonnet, I'm thinking about light kits, but will most likely go a shoe flash for a while, probably a corded/remote one too, to get away from the camera sometimes.

@ Bluebonnet & spf, Interesting thoughts on wide angle lenses. I do realize not all shots are a fisheye waiting to happen, for me it tends to be a stylized moment, to an extreme, sometimes helps me find a shot too[I've played with them on occasion, just haven't gotten one].

@ spf, Will follow the link, and give feedback.

Thanks, this is a big help already.

[Seanna {Madam}]

This is obviously coming from a models perspective but I LOVE the look you can get with a wide angle lens. A photographer I once worked with told me to be sure to let other photogs know that I can pull off a wide angle lens. I don't know if it's because of the way I pose or if my tattoos help make the shot look more dimensional but I liked the result we got and look forward to playing with that in future. I think it's a matter of style preference is it not?

Here's the pic by DC Photography:

It reminds me of the Steve Madden Shoe ads which really impressed me because it was such a different look and really showcases what you are trying to focus the picture on.

[Buckaroo]

Indeed. The wide angle was used very effectively in that photo.

And as a bonus[In case you didn't know], the meta data for the camera is still attached to that photo, which lets me know the photographer shot with a Canon EOS 40D, With a focal length of 10mm at 1/25- sec, etc...

That alone helps me in looking for a certain lens that will fill the need I'm looking for.

Thanks, I hope you don't mind that I pulled that info from the Photo.

[Bluebonnet Bombshells]

Don't get me wrong, I love wide angle shots and the one above is great. But what I love and what sells aren't the same thing. I've got a sigma 10-20 that I like a lot, but if I bust it out during a paid photo shoot, I warn the model beforehand what the images will look like (distorted) and I make sure that I have plenty of other shots as well. When I bought it I thought would use it a lot more than I actually do. I'd still love to get some freerunners doing some crazy moves with it though... it's be perfect for that!

[Seanna {Madam}]

That's fine! But DAMN is that tricky. I can't wrap my head around how you did it, lol!

Buckaroo said:

Indeed. The wide angle was used very effectively in that photo.

And as a bonus[In case you didn't know], the meta data for the camera is still attached to that photo, which lets me know the photographer shot with a Canon EOS 40D, With a focal length of 10mm at 1/25- sec, etc...

That alone helps me in looking for a certain lens that will fill the need I'm looking for.

Thanks, I hope you don't mind that I pulled that info from the Photo.