First post

[efuhs]

Hello everyone. I've been a member for over a year now quietly learning from all the fine photographers that contribute their photos to this forum. A few days ago I had the opportunity to take some photos with a couple models and wanted to know what you think and how I could improve them. Thank you.

First post 

First post 

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[Al_Nowak]

Not bad... but I'd have tried to stretch the model's bodies out a bit with a different, maybe much lower, camera angle.

In the second image, they all seem... umm.. short.

[efuhs]

So take the same photo but at floor level?

[BenE]

Originally Posted by efuhs

So take the same photo but at floor level?

I believe to short a focal length was used, because, to me, it is their upper bodies that appear "short", not their legs. A lower camera angle would not help.

Using a short focal length sometimes adds to the impact for commercial images, with no people, or even in some fashion work, but it is also a cause for distortion on bodies.

[Al_Nowak]

Originally Posted by efuhs

So take the same photo but at floor level?

That was my first thought. But here's the deal. I shoot people pictures almost exclusively and tend to "see" in a roughly 50 - 200MM lens range. So I don't experience wide angle lens distortion much.

I think the other post is probably correct about the lens distortion. So maybe using both techniques is really the answer. Use a camera angle that "stretches" the model, and use a somewhat longer focal length lens to minimize distortion.

All I know is the back end of that car looks huge and the girls rather small in comparison.

[efuhs]

So should I stay away from the 17-55 lens I used and switch to my 55-200?

[BobEdens]

best lens for portraits (keep in mind its a "rule" which isn't cast in stone, but has proven a good choice for a very long time) is 100mm which means with a Nikon digital the "optimum" lens should be a 70mm (unless you can find a 66.6mm lens) The easy thing to do since you're shooting a lot more than a portrait is to do the same thing but take several steps away from the model.

Now to get the same shot you'll need more lens which means less distortion.

edit to add: The girls look terribly short next to that car but they also look terribly hot. Good job on the posing, light etc.


if memory serves I was 20-30 feet away for this shot

[efuhs]

I will use a long lens next time. Thanks!

[PhotosbyChuck]

Originally Posted by efuhs

I will use a long lens next time. Thanks!

You'll need a lot of room! If you are shooting 17mm and want a 10' wide field of view at your subject with the camera held horizontally, you need to be about 7.5' from your subject. If you shoot 100mm, you'll need to be 45' from your subject!

With the image you already have, you can stretch the dimensions a bit to correct for the perspective. Increase the height by about 25% without increasing the width as a start.