Some Quick Tips… Starting with a classic image of Sophia Loren.
By Gary Bernstein
Photograph of Sophia Loren © Gary Bernstein . All Rights Reserved
The photograph of Sophia Loren was shot for the cover of Good Housekeeping Magazine. On this particular two-day shoot with the lady (in Culver City, California), we produced probably a half dozen magazine covers and personal shots as well. For this shot, I used one light placed at 11:00. Sophia is sitting on a Denny Mfg. adjustable stool. 2 lights illuminate the background—each at 45-degree angles. The white background is about 4 feet behind her. There you go!
I love Photoshop; but be assured: You cannot create emotion and attitude after the fact. You have to capture the essence of the subject at the moment of exposure. It helps, however, to have professional faces!
The Professional Model
There is a huge difference between the true professional model and the non-professional. The definitive word in this statement is the word “true.” By that I refer to a model—be it a man or woman—who makes his or her livelihood working for top clients and usually in major cities around the world and for top agencies. These great-looking truly blessed individuals are paid handsomely (certainly the correct adverb ;)) because they indeed “sell the product,” because they hold the viewer’s attention be it on the screen or on the printed page. Similarly, these are individuals who can make your photographs look absolutely spectacular, subject to the following condition: That you—as a photographer—possess the requisite talents and training needed to properly capture the image, including but not limited to a complete understanding of light applications, camera angles and lens lengths, exposure balances and composition—and the quintessential ability to get what you want out of your subject.
The professional model has a confidence, a way of moving, a way of feeling the light on his or her face (which helps you, the photographer); and an ease of body movement that is irreplaceable and strikingly evident when captured. I have said it my whole life: “if you want to make pretty pictures, photograph pretty people!” Most of us are not blessed with having a true professional model as a subject; but as photographers, ours is the task of making any and every subject look spectacular; and the goal is always to enhance the look. There is certainly no reason to ever deal with reality; and there is no excuse for not wowing your subject with their own image. Think about the leading ladies and leading men on the screen. Are they all beautiful? No, not really. Character is far more important than beauty, and this uniqueness of character you can bring out of any subject!
Session 1 – A Photo Session for an Actress.
Creating Old Hollywood Glamour with Hot Lights
Light Source: Two Hot Lights
with 1 silver reflector
Location: Home Environment
Camera: 4 and 6 MB Digital Cameras with Zooms (standard to short telephoto)
The images below reflect the look of old Hollywood with high contrast and sharp defined shadows. In Photos 1 and 2, the high main light creates a shadow across the model’s eyes and lids which is very dramatic. I popped in the catchlights in her eyes with a small, silvered reflector in front of the subject. The second light is a hair light placed on the stairs behind the model.
Photo 3 is called broad lighting i.e. lighting the near side of the face – using only the 2 hot lights without a reflector.
PHOTO 1
Photograph © Gary Bernstein . All Rights Reserved
PHOTO 2
Photograph © Gary Bernstein . All Rights Reserved
PHOTO 3
Photograph © Gary Bernstein . All Rights Reserved
This series of images could not be more different from the ones in the last article for Denny - and that is how it should be. Give every subject a great variety of images and techniques from which to select.
FOR DETAILS ON THESE TECHNIQUES…AND 700 OTHER SESSIONS, TREAT YOURSELF TO ONE OF MY BOOKS!
By the way…A SPECIAL PRE-HOLIDAY OFFER TO YOU…
A big part of making money with your photography is how you charge for shoots and images. In this case, I am talking about portrait sessions and group sessions. It is your PRICE LIST that creates that marketing (and selling) ability - allowing you to maximize the money you make on each session. HERE IS MY PRE-HOLIDAY OFFER TO YOU:Anyone who purchases one (or more) of my books in the next 30 days will be sent my price list evidencing the way you should set up YOUR price list to make the most money you can from every session!
See you next time, and happy, financially successful shoots to you!
Gary Bernstein
