Glamour Photography 101: Mistakes to avoid - Glamour 1™ Putting the Glamour Back in Photography!

**Carpe Imago** · 01-03-2006, 01:03 PM

So as a recent arrival (still wet behind the ears) and looking forward to attending Rolando's Chicago workshop in April, I have a really basic question.

What are the dumbest things that rookies do? Specifically, what things have you seen others do, or done yourself, that you would strongly encourage a newcomer to avoid when working in the studio setting. As an admitted rookie I have no where to go but up, and yet I'd still like to NOT be that guy who earns the right to be the butt of constant jokes. That's why I have kids...

Thanks in advance for at least helping me to limit my perceived stupidity!

lobofw · 01-03-2006, 01:34 PM

First, let me welcome you to the GG zoo and side show [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Just kidding, I think.
As a relative new comecomer myself I have found this site very entertaining and may I say very educational. Now on to your question.

[ QUOTE ]
What are the dumbest things that rookies do?

[/ QUOTE ]
You may have opened a can of worms here.
1. Forget to take lense cap off.
2. Forget to turn camera on.
3. If using film, forget film.
4. If digital, forget card.
uumm, you see where I'm going here.
Yea, Yea, I know were all guilty of something. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] The more we do, the less we forget. The more we learn, the more we have to forget. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

So go to the seminar and don't forget anything important and just be yourself. The one main thing is, don't forget to ask many many questions.

I'm still waiting on my first seminar at Surf and Turf in Feb. it'll be fun and a new experience.

Good Luck and Happy New Year to ya. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Hoosier_Daddy · 01-03-2006, 01:36 PM

Don't try to avoid the mistakes...instead try to learn from the ones you do make. There's nothing like trial and error.

**wgiles** · 01-03-2006, 01:50 PM

There are more possible mistakes to make than I can list, but the biggest and, I think, most common is not seeing what you are looking at. When you look through the viewfinder, it is easy to see what you want to see and hard to see the things that you are not looking for. It is not easy to overcome this. If you look at the images that you make and repeatedly say "I didn't see that", then, you need to start working on seeing the image as a whole. Practice is the best cure. Even professionals do this, but they don't do it as much as we do.

Another problem is not having a clear vision of what it is that you want to do. If you know what you want the finished product to look like, it is much easier to set the shot up. Again, I think that the best way to approach this is practice, something that I'm not getting much of these days.

Bill

**LarryAB** · 01-03-2006, 02:16 PM

One real big one is seeing something wrong in your image and thinking "I'll just fix it in photoshop later." Don't do that. A few extra minutes getting your setup right will save you hours later.

Don't let the models get away with it either. Sometimes you'll hear "Can't you fix my hair on the computer?" No, you can't. That's not what the software is for. Find a brush, get it right. It's just so much easier.

The other mistake is not enjoying what you're doing. If you're not having some fun, you shouldn't be doing it.

**epeters** · 01-03-2006, 02:16 PM

Not trying something because you think it will look stupid. You learn by your mistakes! goferit..

lobofw · 01-03-2006, 02:29 PM

I knew the big guns here would come out with all the right answers for ya.
Biggest thing I've found, is having fun while your learning can be the best times of all.

hipchildreth · 01-03-2006, 02:57 PM

Wow, you've gotten some superb wisdom already, read those posts before a shoot...

For me... since the best has already been said...

Take your time, talk to your model, help her understand what you're trying to do, encourage her, let her know when she's really nailing it. You can't be too encouraging if you're sincere. Think about how scary it would be if YOU were posing for the camera. She's a creative participant just like you. The better you are at interacting and directing the better she can interpret your meaning and anticipate what you want. Communication helps flow.

This means keeping the shot count down... at least at first. You still need to manage your lighting, exposure and composition variables. Don't be afraid to stop and make adjustments. Look at the whole frame on every shot... sounds like it goes without saying but you'll be suprised at how focused you can be on some detail and completely miss others. Remember that shadows are just as important as highlights.

If you can get help, an assistant makes a huge difference... but you have to direct them too.

...One last thing... Lobo eleuded to it.
When you post images on GG, you will get criticism... sometimes it's not very nice. Wear your armadillo hide and post'em though. The stuff you learn from critique is priceless. Eventually, you'll know whose critique is valuable and whose is crap. Look at their portfolios and decide for yourself whether take what they say to heart.

Chip

**Carpe Imago** · 01-03-2006, 03:18 PM

Thanks to all who have posted, and those who continue to post on this thread. I like the common sense tone of the advice on here. It gives me hope for the future. Although that "take off the lens cap" stuff is good too.

**jtsmith** · 01-03-2006, 04:02 PM

You might be a GWC in Glamour if...(in your best Jeff Foxworthy voice)

The first words out of your mouth are, "Hey give me that phuck me look".

..... you suggest to have the model take her clothes off for a headshot... orrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

....you immediately tell your model to make herself comfortable by taking off all her clothes. You might be a GWC.

...you shoot black and white and assume just because she's naked, it's fine art.

....when you allow your autofocus camera to zit zut zit zut zit zut while trying to get critical focus on the areola. You might be a GWC.

When your viewfinder fogs up in a perfectly air controled studio...you might be a GWC.

.....you think you need image stabilization lenses to shoot with strobes.

.....you all of a sudden develop a stutter while posing a model

.....the only props you have in your studio are 3 red white and blue feather boa's with the fan wicker chair.

....you tell the model she looks perty. You might be a GWC.

and the classic....

.....you forgot to put film in your camera, you might be a GWFC!

....I got more....lol

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