Helo Photography Lovers! Usually, I post a photo or two but today I will fill a bit more in between I will write about our Shipwreck photoshopping in Vietnam. The location is a little bit special, to be honest. As a matter of fact, every photography location for fashion shooting should be special if you ask me.
Already in the morning, the sun gave us a strong signal that it is going to be a hot day.
When I saw her, I instantly knew this is the place!
Special Locations for Fashion Photography
Usually, model photography is done in studios with tons of artificial lighting and a more predictable environment. However, I am a more free bird, and outdoors is my playground. Still, remember our wedding photos from the abandoned hotel? Locations like this are more like my studio and this time we found a shipwreck!
So we waited for the sun to come up. Actually out shooting location was inside the ship, so we needed the sun a bit more up, which means 40C degrees
A bit of climbing and we are there
Lighting
In addition, I also don't use artificial lights, strobes or flash. Honestly, at fashion photography it would be more than welcome, but hey... There is a difference between photographer and artist, I guess. I am more the second one, so lights here aren't important.
Shiny happy people... Why the hell is she yellow?
Well, not really. Light is very important, especially in fashion photography. A model must be bright and the dress should shine with all the details. My most common source of light is the sun of course and I am not gonna lie - it is the best and the worst at the same time. Sun can be harsh, too weak or simply in the wrong direction. When we were shooting these fashion sets it was definitely too harsh. I could only get sun inside this empty water tank around 3 O'clock and usually at this time sun is too strong if there are no clouds around.
Golden light is beautiful, no argument there.
As shown above, this time we experimented with this golden reflector. Experimental lighting, we could say. Well, it was a much better idea on the field, though. Back at home when I started editing photos and got a mix of blue, white, yellow and shines of desperation on her face, it was a totally different story. But hey, a few tweaks and the Instagram filter does a trick ;)
Shooting os the midday sun is no joke
But it's worth it
I Knew It - Photoshop!
Of course, how else do you think I can add Vivi's missing tooth? Photoshop is my tool and when it comes to fashion photography it is super important to edit your photos. Or let me say with other words - when you are shooting your wife at 3 O'clock on 35C degrees, only god and editing software can help you. In short, I rather work three days on my computer, than have a Vivi on the dark side.
Honestly, the ship is in bad condition. But for us it was perfect. We wanted the rusty old wreck and a "safe" ladder.</i
Girls can be on the dark side when you take photo wrong. Luckily at professional fashion photography, there is a model out of the process. Stylist, photographers, directors are safe, he he...
Girls can be on the dark side when their fashion photos aren't well edited. By well edited I mean remove my pimple or find another model. Wanna know how I got permission for publishing this photo - conceptual portrait :) By the way, the original is nice.
Photo Styles
Filters, presets, unicorn sparkles whatever you call it... Every photo has its own style and with editing, you achieve this. In fact, this style you can see in this gallery is far cry from my style. I more like settled colors, less contrast and without unicorn semen all over the image, but... When it comes to fashion photography this style is more suitable. However, an example is here.
Example number one is somehow my beloved photo style. You know nice, subtle, beach memories. Example number two is more likely for fashion photography. Pinky chair to support Barbie. Example number three: I wanna new dress! You have your new Lightroom preset for 100 USD, and I am getting a dress.
Seriously, Lightroom Presets?
Some people are naive enough and buy lightroom presets out there from all sorts of insta(nt) bloggers and wizards. Don't waste your money, on something you can make by yourself. Firstly, a photograph is your product, so finish your god damn product. Why the hell you wanna achieve the same look as it is on 70 percent Instagram accounts. And for a bonus, even the same locations and same compositions..
Don't forget on details!
Vivi becomes a model for a day and I think she liked it. This is how you get food nowadays.
Secondly, those presets will just tweak a few parameters and your photo will still be away from good looking. Usually, you need to tweak much more. So, why not learn and do your style after all. Youtube is full of tutorials and hints on how to edit your photo. Ou, by the way, keep it up with us. I will publish my Lightroom preset soon. It will be only 50 USD. Hint: it will also change your chair to pink.
Can I do Fashion Photography?
Of course, if you have a camera or phone and a model. By the way, if you are not lucky like me and there is no Vivi who would stay with golden cellophane in the middle of a shipwreck - find another model. When Vivi is not in the mood I bribe our pooch, for example.
My little pooch becomes a solder with a coconut helmet.
Just do some great shots and be a fashion photographer. Who knows, maybe it will become your passion and you will be next Richard Avedon (R.I.P.). Same as we, jooking around and doing shoots for my artism (unserious condition) and who knows, maybe one day I will be with big fancy strobe light doing professional fashion photography with German models.
What the Hell is This All About?
Why this fashion photography in the middle of nowhere? Actually, it is quite fun, but this last picture is a real reason. I just need new material for my art playing. And you know, love your hobby and who knew, what will come out of it.
