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Never been to any but a mate gave me the option of attending one this coming thursday - he helps organise these events hence have said that if I wanted to shoot, I could to help build up a portfolio.

Details still to be advised, but having no experience in this field, I have no idea what to expect.

What usually occurs in such events ?
What sort of lense would be useful ?



I've never been to any of these events so any advice would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks...

Cant really help but do a bit of a search on this forum as plenty have been shot by members and pay some particular attention to Wendellt's posts... he's the man when it comes to fashion!

I think Pirostitch and Alex have some experience with this sort of thing.

Find out what the venue is like. Is it a club environment or a larger place like a convention centre? If it's the former, be prepared for bad lighting. If you're lucky the place will have spot lights which track the model as they walk.

Don't be afraid to use up to ISO 800 during the show and have a bit of fill flash. Depending on how fast paced the show is, adjust your shutter speed to suit. I usually shoot in manual mode as I still don't trust the camera's logic

Try to get as centre to the stage as possible - shooting from the side is ok but not ideal.

That's all I can think of for now in my sleep deprived state. If I think of anything else, I'll post it up.

Feel free to trawl through my site as well if anything that I've said doesn't make sense

Hi, What Piro said, plus be prepared to adjust your shutter speeds as models walk down runway as the lighting is not even and hence expsure is likely to vary from one part of runway to other. Normally, you need slower shutter speeds at the beginning of the runway and shorter shutter speeds at the end where the spotlights are more powerful. Ask the lighting people in advance what colour temperature their spotlights are, if possible. I'd use aperture 4-4.5 to allow sufficient DOF to keep the whole of the model in focus but if you need to go wider the go wider, better that than using flash.

Have fun!

Alex

Also another point is not to stand too close to the front of the stage, otherwise when the model gets to the end you'll be shooting up and this may cause distortions if you shoot wide.

One other thing that I always struggle to remember in the heat of the moment, which is a very bad habit, is to always concentrate on getting the entire model in the frame. There's no harm in trying different compositions as well to show more detail of the model's make-up or outfit.

These are valuable information. Thanks for the quick response guys.

my lens options are as follows
18-70mm D70 Kit lense
35-70mm f2.8
50mm f1.4
80-200 f2.8

What would be the lense of choice for such environment.
It wont be a large hall - I think its prob at a club of some sort. I still need to get more info tonight.
I'm thinking prob the 35-70mm being a constant f2.8 over the 18-70mm ..... would be nice if i had a 28-70 =)
These are valuable information. Thanks for the quick response guys.

my lens options are as follows
18-70mm D70 Kit lense
35-70mm f2.8
50mm f1.4
80-200 f2.8

What would be the lense of choice for such environment.
It wont be a large hall - I think its prob at a club of some sort. I still need to get more info tonight.
I'm thinking prob the 35-70mm being a constant f2.8 over the 18-70mm ..... would be nice if i had a 28-70 =)
Really want to shoot natural light - but will use flash if needed...

Thanks again for the advice....

deja vu

leave the 80-200. Bring the 18-70 as the 35-70 might be too tight depending on where you stand.

Also increasing the ISO to 800 will still let you use the 18-70 even if it's not at f2.8. You won't be shooting at f2.8 anyway as the dof will be too shallow.

Considering it is going to be a large hall, I'd bring 80-200 just in case because depending how long the runway will be and where you will be standing with respect to the runway, the telephoto may be very useful. 18-70 may be OK provided lighting is good. If it's club type of lighting then the 18-70 is not the best choice, and 35-70 is better for crappier lighting but depends where you will be positioned and how long the runway is. Forget the prime, it's hard to use during runway shoots. Personally, I'd go with 35-70 and 80-200. If the hall is not as large then I'd bring 18-70 just in case, but would only use it if I had to.

Alex

Just to add. A term "large" is relative. No one can tell you what focal length will be the best till you know exactly what runway looks like and where you will be etc. Take all your zoom capabilities and decide when you are there.

Good luck!

Alex

Alex wrote:Just to add. A term "large" is relative. No one can tell you what focal length will be the best till you know exactly what runway looks like and where you will be etc. Take all your zoom capabilities and decide when you are there.

It wont be a large hall - I think its prob at a club of some sort. I still need to get more info tonight.

I don't think it's going to be large hall

Oops somehow I read it as "It will be a large hall" instead if "It wont be", I guess it was wishful thinking on my behalf as that'd be nice to shoot .

Go 18-70 and 35-70 then, but use 18-70 if you really have to...

Alex

I've just been adviced that i could walk around to backstage and even on the change rooms to cover the event..
How do you take shots of models, while their changing - what the heck do you say to them ???
I'm assuming no flash in the change rooms and candid shots only as the models might get extremely uncomfortable, or their all prob used to it ?

I was thinking of the 35-70 or the 18-70.. After reading your feedbacks I think better coverage with the 18-70 if shooting at f4.5-f5.6

Guys - any links to your fashion work would be nice... =)

I will check some of your sites tonight and prob search through the forums - am at work atm and using notepad to write my replies - then cut and paste to prior to sending..... =) Not really meant to be browsing the net....

thanks.

Hello,

Backstage - take photos of model when they are dressed in the garmets just before the show or when they are being prepared for the show, e.g. a photo of a model being made up.
Prime 50 mm is nice for backstage and use slower shutter speed so that your photos reflect the ambience. Use flash for fill as required.

Talk to models when you are taking their photos as this will make both you and the models relaxed.

You can go through my site http://www.alexgitlits.com and look for fashion shows, go through Wayne site - http://www.digifocal.com
also go through http://www.zeduce.org - the site of Wendell the fashion photography guru.

Best

Alex

Ditto to what Alex said. Unless you want your potential fashion career to end quick smart, don't take photos of them while they're getting dressed.

Always communicate with the model before taking the photos, even while they're getting their make up done. Some are comfortable with it, some aren't. I've only had one who has told me not to as she didn't have her make up/face on. Utter respect for everyone backstage is required from the photographer.

If there's a nice ambient light, go for two styles - available light and the other flash.

great advice guys. i didnt think it would be appropriate to take pics while changing but, make-up etc etc is good... =)
Will be definetely cheking those site as soon as i get home...

I know this might sound pretty stupid but will ask the question anyways -
What do you say to the models or makeup artists or hair dressers prior to taking the pic ?
I just dont want to sound/look stupid asking "Excuse me, can i take a picture ?" =) lol

thanks again..

Just say something like, is it alright if I take your photo? then just add that you don't want to get in their way and that some people aren't comfortable with their photos being taken without make-up. Keep it friendly and non-patronising THey'll appreciate your courtesy.

Ok got more info ....
Looks like there will be 3 runways but its not huge venue.

Was asked by the organiser if i had any forms for the Models to sign to give me rights on using the images for my own use....

Anyone have a good template. - I'll troll through the site I'm sure there is something here..

Just checked out the sites
http://www.alexgitlits.com
http://www.digifocal.com
http://www.zeduce.org
What can I say... WOW - excellent work guys, plenty of experience under your blets..... Its great getting advice from those whos been there and done that..

Thanks again....

blackD200 wrote:Ok got more info ....
Looks like there will be 3 runways but its not huge venue.

Was asked by the organiser if i had any forms for the Models to sign to give me rights on using the images for my own use....

Anyone have a good template. - I'll troll through the site I'm sure there is something here..

Just checked out the sites
http://www.alexgitlits.com
http://www.digifocal.com
http://www.zeduce.org
What can I say... WOW - excellent work guys, plenty of experience under your blets..... Its great getting advice from those whos been there and done that..

Thanks again....

There are a couple of model release forms you can download from the front page of the site. Look on the LHS.

Cheers
Alex

Alex wrote:There are a couple of model release forms you can download from the front page of the site. Look on the LHS.

Cheers
Alex

Thanks mate. I used that and one that I found googling =)

Thanks again for all the advice guys...
Here are some pics of the night ...
=)

it was actually a small event at a Northies in Cronulla. It was dark at the runway/stage hence the use of flash. Dark shadows casted... I actually prefer the pics when the models were getting ready..

Lessons learned
1. Take the entire dress/clothing, it is a fasion parade afterall.. I'm so used to taking close ups of ppl...
2. Bring extra batteries - flash drained reall quick when i was bouncing it off the ceiling.
3. Dont use Laptop for colour corrections.. =) just did some of these reall quick with a laptop - some colours aint quite right.

But in all I enjoyed the experience.. wouldnt mind doin more of that...

Any Comments are welcome guys..

The backstage stuff looks tops! Great work and hope you really enjoyed the experience

I love the backstage photos. Garmets containing fluoro bits would be very challenging to get exposure right.

Alex

thanks guys.

The designers and organisers really liked some of the pics - will be shooting again next event...

No 4 and 5 are very professional. Nice work.

hi

great number 1 backstage shot
the ones that tell a story are always the best over the more contrived setup shots even though the later may be more appealing

usually for backstage photography there are two sorts
1. backstage reportage style candid shots of hair makeup process, models with friends, the backstage drama and changeovers
at professional 'fashion week' level taking photos of models getting dressed is fine so long as it's done in the right context like showing the backstage dramatics of rushed changovers, look through vogue they have heaps of these sort of candid pictures, but before you get to shoot stuff like that you need to get passed the backstage managers and PR people for the designers usually backstage photographers have a trusted relationship with the designers and pr people, so there isn't much drama when it comes to pr approval of certain backstage images, because if you get in it means your an approved and trusted backstage photographer there to take the sort of shots the designers want you to take.
but if your an assigned backstage photographer you stay backstage usually, most specialist backstage photogrpahers stay backstage and they aren't runway photographers

in my case i do backstage and runway I don't take changover shots because i shoot runway too so i just get models finally dressed just before the show then shoot the show models know about backstgae photographers so you dont need to ask them 'can i take your pic?', you just do it
but it always good to small talk and introduce yourself
and youi dont need to btoher with model release forms unless of course your using the images for some commercial purpose

the 2nd kind of backstgae photography is setup shots when the girls are finally dressed this is a different sort of backstage coverage and its more desirable for magazines, its harder too because backstage is a flurry of confussion if you manage to setup a good shot within a second in that frantic uncontrollable environment you'll know what your made off

as for runway it's formulaic
70-200 lens
1/250 freeze motion ISO variable between 400 and 800 f4.5
the rest is timing get models feet both on the ground
they usually have a bad step too so work out if right foot over left foot or left foot over right step produces that nice elegant v line shape in the legs
Gettign centre spot by getting there early or pre-arranging is most important no one publishes a runway shot from the side

alhough looking at the images that fashion show looks like a small production with bad lighting so the 18-70 with flash would proabbly be the most flexible choice even though the flash ain't desirable

anyway congratulations for your first try you did extremely well you got backstage got some stunners and shot the runway with style well done

wendellt - thanks for the grat feedback and advice. I've checked out your website previously and Brilliant work mate... am absolutely speechless with some of your work...

I wish i did bring my zoom 80-200 on the night. most of the backstage was shot very close to the models/subject... was using a 50mm.

Yes it was a small event - but great as a starter. hoping to do more in the future. There was 2 photographer and both of us on the side of the stage(s) - the crowd was in the middle so it was hard to position ourselves.

Thanks again for the advice - will take this on board on the next shoot.

No 4 and 5 are very professional. Nice work.

Thanks for the feedback Matt