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watch the photographer, you learn a lot

AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
edited September 23, 2005 in Technique
yesterday, at the canon show in nyc, i had the good fortune to meet and spend some time with renowned fine art and portrait photographer douglas kirkland. i went back today, for a second helping :eat

douglas was shooting live, with a canon 5d, tethered wirelessly to an apple mac g5 running adobe ps cs2, adobe bridge. the in-camera processed jpgs would get displayed immediately on the big screens. it was fascinating to watch, listen, and learn.
  • treat your models like you'd like to be treated
  • use their name when addressing them - everyone likes to hear their name
  • when asking them to turn, do so by saying "move your feet, too." reason being, 99% of the time when you ask this, models will simply pivot, and then ultimately get back into the same undesired pose
  • douglas gets the best out of his assistants - he never met this crew before, but the lighting, props, makeup, posing, etc. was perfectly choreographed by him - all on the spur of the moment!
  • great portraitists and fashion / glamour shots come from creativity - kirkland doesn't have a "standard style" that he draws from, he creates different and new, each shoot, each model. he does this by *looking* at the model, studying her, and within a few moments, he's got it. i supppose this comes from years and years of experience, but it was well worth noting.
  • notice how low he's shooting from - why? 'to accentuate the gracefulness, the statuesque-ness, to make the models seem larger than life," says kirkland. i think it works....
  • kirkland's lenses of choice: canon 85L, and for real flexibility, 70-200 f/2.8L

there was lots more, and we'll get a further chance to learn from kirkland, in the upcoming meet the photographer series.

hopefully, some of our members will sound off with more advice of their own, right here in this thread :ear

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notice here, he's directing the model - he called her name (nikki) first, and asked her to re-position her hand, like so:
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enjoy (watching the greats) photography,
Andy

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    Brian GBrian G Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited September 17, 2005
    Regarding that model's name...
    The model with the Canon SD30? her name is Heidi, not Nikki.

    Address the models by name, certainly. But make sure you use the correct one. ;)

    (Don't feel bad- even Douglas was having a hard time remembering whether to use "Kate" or "Katie" for the model who followed Heidi in that shoot).

    ~Brian
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    AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2005
    Brian G wrote:
    The model with the Canon SD30? her name is Heidi, not Nikki.

    Address the models by name, certainly. But make sure you use the correct one. ;)

    (Don't feel bad- even Douglas was having a hard time remembering whether to use "Kate" or "Katie" for the model who followed Heidi in that shoot).

    ~Brian

    it's too bad we didn't meet at the show.
    Andy

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    ruttrutt Registered Users Posts: 6,511 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2005
    What a good point! You made me feel bad about missing this show and gave me a reason not to miss the next one. I do like to watch the pros, but this would have been a special opportunity.

    What camera is he using here, BTW?
    If not now, when?
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    AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2005
    rutt wrote:

    What camera is he using here, BTW?
    andy wrote:
    douglas was shooting live, with a canon 5d, tethered wirelessly to an apple mac g5 running adobe ps cs2, adobe bridge. the in-camera processed jpgs would get displayed immediately on the big screens. it was fascinating to watch, listen, and learn.

    thumb.gif
    Andy

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    MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2005
    Great tips already! Really looking forward to your interview. Thanks for orchestrating this.


    On a side note, I can't seem to find my four assistants when I need them.ne_nau.gif
    Mitch
    http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
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    KhaosKhaos Registered Users Posts: 2,435 Major grins
    edited September 17, 2005
    Studio lighting techniques and why they work is what I'd be very interested in. Things like when reflectors like he's using in the one shot are a good idea and when, etc.

    Does he talk much of that at all?
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    ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,912 moderator
    edited September 17, 2005
    Some great tips.

    I think shooting people (not that I'm any sort of an expert) requires one to
    establish a rapport very quickly. For example; during my holiday party shoot,
    those shots where I either knew or could establish rapport within a couple of
    shots are clearly better than those I couldn't connect with.

    I also notice Mr. Kirkland is dressed appropriately yet demonstrates a sense
    of whimsy with the socks. By appropriately, I mean for the occassion.

    Ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
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    AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited September 20, 2005
    Mitchell wrote:

    On a side note, I can't seem to find my four assistants when I need them.ne_nau.gif

    look behind the sofa lol3.gif
    Andy

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    knov87knov87 Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
    edited September 21, 2005
    shooting tethered
    andy wrote:

    douglas was shooting live, with a canon 5d, tethered wirelessly to an apple mac g5 running adobe ps cs2, adobe bridge. the in-camera processed jpgs would get displayed immediately on the big screens. it was fascinating to watch, listen, and learn.

    Could Andy or someone tell me how to do the tethered wirelessly?
    I have 20D and getting the 5D. I have C1 Pro and PS CS2. I have Dell laptop with BlueTooth and Wireless capabilities. What hardware do I need to buy?
    Is there a link where I can find out more about it.
    Thanks,
    Ken
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    AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2005
    WFT-E1A wireless transmitter for 20d, 1-series cameras
    knov87 wrote:
    Could Andy or someone tell me how to do the tethered wirelessly?
    I have 20D and getting the 5D. I have C1 Pro and PS CS2. I have Dell laptop with BlueTooth and Wireless capabilities. What hardware do I need to buy?
    Is there a link where I can find out more about it.
    Thanks,
    Ken

    ken,

    canon wi-fi transmitter WFT-E1A is what you need. and that's it.

    linky 1

    linky 2
    Andy

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    lynnmalynnma Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 5,207 Major grins
    edited September 21, 2005
    andy wrote:
    ken,

    canon wi-fi transmitter WFT-E1A is what you need. and that's it.

    linky 1

    linky 2
    wow.. thanks for that Andy.. boy would I love to have been there..just look at those lights!!! sigh...oh well, have to make do with daylight...
    thanks again, great thread.
    Lynn1drink.gif
    website
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    knov87knov87 Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
    edited September 22, 2005
    andy wrote:
    ken,

    canon wi-fi transmitter WFT-E1A is what you need. and that's it.

    linky 1

    linky 2
    Andy,
    Thanks for the info.
    At $1000, I think I shoot tethered wired for now :D:D But It's definitely on my Wish list. B&H is out of stock now...
    Ken
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    knov87knov87 Registered Users Posts: 19 Big grins
    edited September 22, 2005
    andy wrote:


    36260538-L.jpg
    OK, so the WFT-E1A goes on top of the camera.
    What is it at the bottom of the 5D? It's not part of the WFT-E1A, is it?
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    John MuellerJohn Mueller Registered Users Posts: 2,555 Major grins
    edited September 22, 2005
    I would say its on the bottom.Top looks like strobe trans.
    My Smuggy

    Cincinnati Smug Leader
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    AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited September 22, 2005
    John Mueller wrote:
    I would say its on the bottom.Top looks like strobe trans.

    nod.gif
    Andy

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    OwenOwen Registered Users Posts: 948 Major grins
    edited September 23, 2005
    Great thread. I love seeing lighting setups!

    Owen
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