Anyway, while you are trying you will probably end up with something different… if not, try and morph the idea into something new. Make it yours. Own it. Don’t be a photocopier but learn from someone else’s shooting.

Tip for Brittany: Check out http://www.strobist.blogspot.com too (if you haven’t already). One strobe and an umbrella will do wonders. One of the best things I ever borrowed was a single studio strobe and umbrella. I shot with it for months until all I could see was spots! I gave it back to the owner with some new bulbs. I learned more from that single light than I could ever have imagined. Once you have played with some studio or speed lights you’ll get an idea of what you would like and soon be a master at the B&H site. I know those photo stores are intimidating but learning what and how others shoot (thanks for filming Bert!!) is making all those photo stores much less intimidating.

I think everyone’s goal should be to wear out your DSLR body before it becomes obsolete. That means shooting until your eyes bleed — the whole time critiquing your work and learning.

Here is some more incentive from Melissa Rodwell (a fashion photog)… http://fashionphotographyblog.com/2009/01/genlux-editorial-art-issue/

What I also find useful is using images from magazines, the web etc to show the model what you are trying to create, that way at least there is a headstart in getting the shot, but as always it the randomn gestures or poses that catch your eye for a great shot.

Keep up the good work guys.

Trev

Thanks so much! P.S I so plan to come to one of your workshops- whats better than a trip to Europe to study photography with awesome people!! Do you have a mailing list for your workshops?

Warmly,

Brittany (Milwaukee WI, USA)

There are so many great ways to buy time… pick locations that require moving from one spot to another, and you can think on the way.

When I become totally stumped for ideas (and have shot enough) I tell the client that we got a great variety, and that we can stop things there unless they have ideas THEY wanted to try that we haven’t covered - even if at this point it’s much earlier than the allotted time we decided on. And there’s always that hope that they DO have something they wanted to try!

Also I’ve had models raring to go when I’m considering pitching it in because it’s just not working out!

Well, I think the key is to be well prepared. Think about the shot and the picture you will achieve before you to go to your assignment. I think it’s important to have a pretty clear idea of the final picture in your head before setting up your gear. And finally, if you got that shot, there is much much time for experimenting.

And in my opinion this can be fun for you and your models too. I don’t worry about telling them that these photos can look like crap afterwards because it’s just experimenting. Often this is the moment when your model will relax and some really great shots can be the result.

Jens

BTW… I am a woman… does this mean that I can talk and shoot at the same time? (Just kidding) I really
cannot… but I try

And than I tell the model, that i just bought for an insane amount of money that ultra cool new foto/lightning thingy and I cant wait to try it out. Of course most of the time the equipment isn’t actually new - I am just trying some new techniques I found on the web with gear I already own.

The interesting thing is that most people respond a lot better to highly priced gear compared to some (odd) ideas. Suddenly I got all the models attention. She feels honored that I bought that thing just for this shoot with her. Her expectations for the final pictures are lower since she knows I just bought that thing. Still, most of the time this leads to very interesting images where I learn a lot.

Greetings from Munich,
Phil

really insightful stuff. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
Mariano