Shooting with Pro Models
2, October 2008The First of many more to come. A video tutorial on shooting with models that know how to pose and work with the light. Photography by: Melissa Rodwell. Featuring: Heather from Photogenics
Shooting with Pro Models - FashionPhotographyBlog.com from Melissa Rodwell on Vimeo.
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I mink the video i just missed me understand the language. very creative images.
I get put the batteries in my work. a very good experience to have known your blog.
thanks.
Pau
I just wonder if you use any strobe in the bathroom shots ? I can see the bath room wall and reflectors probably will reflect enough light from the window to lit the model, but the final image looks like there’s alot of light (or is that post-processing?)
The bathroom had no strobe lighting. Just a reflector to the left of her. I also left the shutter open to help push the light through. The rest was done in post, yes.
Thanks. Cool video. Maybe could have used a little more tech talk about the process, what you were doing and why, aesthetic decisions. Looking forward to more.
Yeah I agree. It was our first video and we found out we had sound issues. I had actually discussed some tech issues, but it got lost. We are fixing the problem and there will be better sound in the upcoming videos. Thanks!
Very nice vid and you got a steady hold at 1/8s. I love how you used backlighting so nicely. Looks like an enjoyable session.
Love it Melissa very natural.
-”Oh man you can see the pores”
-”Yeah, yeah, but we photoshop all that”
LoL you are so cute~ Can’t wait to see more.
You are lovley.
Awe…thank you! Lol…..
Thanks I Enjoy the video, just wish I can see the processing part too..
Thanks for sharing Melissa. I’ve been in such a strobe mindset for so long that I forget what can be done with indirect sunlight and a reflector. Very nice set.
Enjoyed the video and looking forward to more with additional technical info.
Love your site! Thanks for sharing all of this great information.
well done melissa! keep em coming!
Love watching behind the scenes stuff…. interesting to watch the banter between photog and model and to see your use of natural light. Thanks for sharing.
Great video! I agree with Rollingblue, I’d love to hear more technical/aesthetic dialogue as you work. I find that a very easy way to pick up tips. It would also be neat to perhaps see the image prior to post with a brief description of what was done in post to create the final image. This really helps when trying to reverse engineer and understand the physical and digital sides of the process.
Keep up the good work, I’m looking forward to seeing more!
Thanks Melissa. This is brilliant. i will be coming back to watch several times to get the most from it. Your shoots have a fun relaxed feel about them. Learned alot from just watching where you positioned yourself. You are a gem for doing these vids. Congrats to the vid production team too.
Great job. I am loving the first shots in the bath. Those were done unique and very nice. the model is great she seems very relaxed and had fun. that shoot was fire. I can not wait to see more……
Take care.
“Q” Guillory
nice video. can’t believe you can hold the camera that steady at 1/8.
would like to see more of the post processing though.
keep up the good work.
thanks for sharing, cool vid and music
Cool images..!
Like that video. It’ s the first Photo-Tutorial-Video I’ve seen. It really seems to me as my “dream Job”.I envy you :)…Wish you said a little bit what are you doing in the certain moments and why (Tech stuff)- or is it just experience & talent or click and try? Thank you for having a little look behind the lens- i really enjoyed it. Looking for your next vid.
(Maybe a little editing stuff as well?- Next time)
Thanks
Thanks Melissa! This is great; thanks so much for sharing! I really enjoyed watching it and look forward to learning more from your future videos!
Thank you Melissa for the interesting video and thanks to share your works with us!
Just one question about the last picture: how many stops the background is above/up respect the model body?
Thanks
Thanks for the vid Melissa. Enjoyed seeing it. I noticed that you didn’t use a light meter at all during the shoot (at least on the film) Is that something that’s better suited for pure studio work, and has limited use on location? With digital, you have a histogram that you can immediately check of course, but I was led to understand that it was important to understand the incident light as well. Don’t use a light meter myself, still intimidated by them! Just wondering when/if you use them.
Thanks again!
Rahul
Hey Rahul….I don’t use light meters when I shoot digital. And yeah, because I can check the histograms, etc, immediately. But I wouldn’t recommend it for people starting out. It’s important to understand what your light is doing. I’ve been shooting awhile so I can look at a lighting set up and pretty much figure out at least where to start my exposure. BUT…if I’m shooting film….you bet I use a meter!!
Ugh Melissa, I love you even more now! This was so cool to watch. It would be so amazing to work with you.. I cannot get enough of your art!!! I can’t say anything else but thank you for sharing this, it was a pleasure!!
Awesome. Keep them coming. The videos are fun, I’ve been working on video too, it really completes the circle of a shoot.
Wow Mellisa, this is an awesome first lesson! I love the high key shots you get from natural lighting with just a Nikon, a reflector shade, and everything else is natural light! I also love how you made the shot on the table with just a single strobe… Great ART!
Tell me, how do you hold a full-sized Nikon steady with that 1/8th shutter you used at the angle you were in? It’s really amazing how pros hold their camera! (I wish I was like you guys/gals!);D
I can’t wait for more tutorials!!! : )
thanks for sharing Mellisa…I like the picture in bathroom only with available light but can produce really great image…
Loved the video.Loved to see the set up and to watch the model pose. Perhaps a bit more technical talk. Amazing at 1/8 and the result. Thank you very much for sharing and looking forward for some more videos. Thanks.
Really interesting to see a behind the scenes view of the process. And of course to see you IRL too!
Maybe a follow up video showing how one of the images was post-processed? And if I was going for gold, a full-res sample (pre-post) so we can see what you’re getting out of the camera.
On a side note, your models looks amazing post baby.
Hey Melissa
Thanks for doing this! As a budding photographer its gold-dust to be able to watch a professional at work and see how you set the shots up.
As with everyone else, can’t wait to hear more about the technical side
Cheers!
Hi Melissa,
It is good to see how other photographers do things. Most photographers I know are very secretive about there work..
Thanks for sharing.
Colin
Hi Melissa
Thanks for the tutorial, hungry for more ! Keep up the amazing work
best.
Wow. I’m really impressed with the video. It’s so natural and it’s long enough to take a coffee and relax while watching it
I hate when pro photographers does those 2 minutes videos which are showing nothing. Your results are just amazing, I wish I could get on Your level someday 
Keep up the good work, we’re all looking forward for next video.
Cheers!
Paul
Hey Melissa,
Thank you so much for sharing your work, it’s really inspiring to watch.
Great video Mellisa. Looking forward to more. Love the single flash setup!!
Wow! I am speechless. You made the lighting setup look so simple, but yet the final result still manages to deliver a punch … I’ll be looking forward to more of your video tutorials in the future and thanks for sharing this kewl video with us.
Awesome video! Love the fact that you show how the picture is made, wish all photographers did that. All tho it did make me super jealous of all your equipment. hahaha, but great shots, loved the first ones the most, how you made the model blend in with the wall makes her look ghosty.
Good job!
Those looking for tips on steady hand held shooting should check out the breathing techniques used by snipers. The outcomes are very different
but functionally, sniping and photography share strong correlations. That’s why both call it “shooting”… I’ve found that proper breathing, combined with burst shooting (another sniper technique) allows for very low shutter speeds.
Type “sniper breathing” into Google for more info.
Hi! First off, great videos. You are a fantastic blogger, you have no idea how useful your posts are to me.
____
In the video you refereed to leaving the shutter open a few times, to let more light in, I’ve never thought of that because I have been concerned about the shot being blurry, but seeing that it worked for you, I am going to try some shots like that.
I’ve just begun shooting fashion this year, testing with a few great agencies here in Toronto.. I’m loving it!!
I learned the importance of having a great team as well as the right model to get the shot!
Thanks so much for sharing, and I’m looking forward to seeing more..
all the best!!
Denny
Nice video.. Much more than what we could expect from the FIRST video. We look forward to see & learn more in this series with more explanation in each and every step. As someone pointed out, please discuss more technical details.
Raju.
Nice video.. cant wait to see the next one. : ) Also would it be possible to get some of the shots from the other day? They were beautiful. Talk to you soon.
This was great, I also agree with the previous post about your hand holding skills at 1/8s in such an awkward position… astounding!
Very nice video. Looks like a real relaxed and comfortable working enviroment you established on the shoot.
Looking forward to more.
Good! Tks.
Loved it! Can’t wait for the rest
great video and great site thanx for sharing with us
Cool stuff you’re doing here. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the invite Melissa!
Well, i had to watch this one at work, so no sound for me, BUT, IMHO, i strongly advocate not to try to get inside the photographer’s head; just relax, sit and watch, after all, photography is a VISUAL art. I think you learn a lot more if you just take your time to study the visuals, the poses, the lights, the angles rather then fish for the tip of the day given away by a pro. So, i must say that i enjoyed the video as is and didn’t miss the tech talk others are mentioning.
Waiting for more and it would be great a photo update on your stram on flickr from time to time
Thanks for the pointer here yesterday. Always enjoy watching this stuff. And I love how you deal with backlight.
Only only thing, audio levels are jumping throughout the clip.
Hi, I
Love the video. I enjoyed it. Nice work you rae doing here.
regards
Emil
Great video, looking forward to more. I am very interested in backlighting in photos so this was very helpful.
-Randy
It is the first time that I see east site and I already see that visit all the days, je je enchants to me, congratulations by the first video.
I like much your work,You are so pretty Mel.
Great work! Thanks for your sharing. Looking forward to see more.
I love the results
Great workin’ group.
Excelent handle on the modell, well play’d location and lightning…
Such a good tutorial! I learned a lot, however I worked in the same conditions before - I never thought I can bring a location shoot to this sharp end.
thanx to sharing
Not too bad to be the first video, this idea is great, I could never thank you enough for the effor of sharing your knowlege. Thanks for posting this video and I am looking forward to more videos.
Thanks
Daniel Aqua
Hi Melissa ,
Thanks for pointing me out to this place,
I’ll check regularly for updates on the feed.
Like your style all the way, from working with the model to
the end result.
Click Click Cya
Kef
Melissa i love your work, i would like to know for full body shots what lens do you use also same goes for portraits.
Thankyou
Pauline
For full body I usually work with an 85mm and with portraits a 105 or 135mm. http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/1935/AF-DC-NIKKOR-135mm-f/2D.html
That’s a great portrait lens. Hope this helps!
Great blog and video! Luv it because its inviting, educational, and personal. I will have to share some of my vids withcha sometime.
Chow,
Bill K,
well what can say. nice pics from the author.
hola!!! esta muy bueno el video… solo que necesita una traduccion al castellano. el lente que usa es un 28mm f2.8 de foco manual???
Very nice.
You made me wanna shoot.
What’s the name of these songs. . .
They are beautiful.
Hey Melissa!
I was so inspired by the photo Heather sitting on the table that I just had to shoot a layout based on that photo. I will post the image on my flickr soon.
Great video by the way…
Really wonderful to watch you at work, thanks for sharing.
Melissa,
Thank,s for this really nice invitation to join your blog !!!
This is verry nice of you to share some experiences with other photographers
This shootong was interresting. You used different set-up and lighting, a real model, wow ! I like your utilisation of ambiant light. You don’t use complicated set-up of flash, which is good. For myself, I have to shoot using a lightmeter, to calibrate the ratio of flash and ambiant light. It’s quicker for me this way…
As other said, it would be great to know what is your intention before the shooting, do you make a shooting plan before ? And during the shooting, it would be interresting to know what are your settings, etc…
Thank’s to keep-on sharing your experiences !!!
Hey Melissa,
Very enjoyable video. Great work and postprocessing.
I have found inspiration on you images and techniques.
Thanks for freely sharing such invaluable experience with us.
Holy cow you are one heck of a photographer. Nice person as well. Actually, stunning yourself. We are going to hear a lot from you soon, I know this for sure.
thanks for the add on flickr! i am very much enjoying your site. great photos! you don’t happen to know the artist of the last song in the vid do you? rad song.
The last song on the video was from a soundtrack from a play my husband acted in and we don’t know the name of the artist. But the song from Coldplay’s Fix You sounds very similar! Thanks!!
Thank you for putting the vid together and sharing it. Your work is inspiring, and your perspective very cutting edge.
Hi Melissa
It’s a generous thing to share expertise and working with models/stylists/MUAs is so much a people business. I’ve been doing it for years and still manage to bomb now and again.
The final shoot, I’m intrigued (sitting on the table). The moody feel of the bw image obviously has an element of post production. Did you have this in mind when you shot? I sometimes shoot with a bw/Photoshopped image in mind and wonder if you work the same way.
Thanks again for your efforts here.
Good video, and it is the first one, waiting for the next. Well done!
Melissa, This is a good start. I haven’t worked with models yet and am still working on my posing and directing skills. Would like to hear and see some more on the topic of working with models. Some things I’d also like to hear are the ideas, concepts, and goals behind the shots.
Thanks,
John
Melissa this is an awesome work. I really study your work and Im happy to meet you. I got many new things in looking at your work
waiting to see more
Please come to Sri Lanka oneday I will do all arrangements to have a nice time here and study Asia culture and fashion
Am I the only one to notice the pentagram around Melissa’s neck?
well done melissa!! nice work…..
Yay!!! whatta cool behind-the-scenes-tutorial video!! it’s so natural just like if I was there!! I luv the way you work, Melissa, so relax and cool!!
Now i’m jealous!! i’m taking an extra assistant and a video camera to my next session!!!
One thing i would like to see is the shots right out the camera WITHOUT post… for a tutorial that’s very important, the before-after thing, a fashion shot is not just about “capture” but “create”and most important: “sell” so for educational purposes, it helps A LOT to see the before-after.
MUCHAS THANK YOU VERY MUCHO!! please, keep up the excellent work, Melissa!!
More please….
you know what…you are my idol!!
a voice came from china….
Wonderful shoot, and thanks so much for the video, gives a great insight into your working method.
Leccion magistral.Gracias
besos
Wow, that was so great Melissa! Thank you for taking the time to share your behind-the-scenes work. The results were fab! I couldn’t locate you on twitter. My user name is laura_dolcepics. Cheers!!
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this, riveting! I’m a family photography whose alter ego would be a fashion photog
I love your blog are appreciate all the tips you share. Love your work, thanks.
Melissa I find your matter of fact approach enchanting and refreshing. I’ve watched a number of online videos in an attempt to learn (I’m self taught/teaching). I hope to see more of these videos and I do hope that you overcome the audio problems. It would be very helpful if you could kind of debrief the viewer on what you did or are doing to get the shot.
Many thanks
James
Very kewl.. I’m just starting portraits so it’s excellent to see visually - What is that first tune in the video? Love it.. keep em coming girl.
Ciao George
thanks for sharing!
Max Hodges
Tokyo
Nice work. It will be better with the sound issue resolved, but I still got something out of watching it.
Melissa, I have a question…
I’ve been told to take all the topless images out of my portfolio when approaching the LA Modeling agencies for test shoots. After looking at your portfolio I’m wondering how true this is? Are not as concerned with it now that you are more established?
Thanks for your time ahead of time.
Peace, G.
Oh! I loved it!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Melissa,
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I loved the picture, especially the first one in the bathroom. I wondered how these photos were taken and now I know.
Is that the 24mm lens I read about in your wide-angle article?
I’m new to your site but I will surely be visiting it often.
Good Luck!
I think you’ve identified some areas you can improve in on the next video so I won’t repeat those. Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed watching this one….just wish it had been longer!
TJ
Hi Melissa,
I just watched your video here, and it’s good to see how things are made!
Is it just coincidence you are not using a hood on your prime (I guess 85mm Nikkor) lens?
Keep up the good work!
Kindest regards from Holland!