Fashion Photography Tips - 02
In this episode series, we are bringing you the very basic to advanced "Fashion Photography Tips" which helps you to improve your photography skills. In the first episode we have already discussed about these topics.
1. Choose the Camera
2. Use 24-70 mm Lenses
3. Gather Studio Lighting Kit
4. Use a Tripod
5. Always Retouch Your Photos
Shoot in Manual Mode if the camera is on a tripod. Choose Aperture Priority if shoot handheld.
As I stated earlier, using a tripod allows you to slow down. The same is with shooting in the Manual Mode. That’s why they work perfectly together.
What is more, shooting in Manual Mode means you can choose your own settings which will not change in any conditions. It means you will have consistent exposures from one frame to another.
One of the most helpful fashion photography tips is choosing a proper ISO. You can adjust it between 100 and 400. Start with ISO 400 especially if you are shooting in low light, in shade or indoors having only window light.
Don’t be afraid to increase ISO to 800 or even 1600. Remember about the opportunity to open up the aperture in poor lighting conditions. A fast enough shutter speed will prevent a camera from unwanted shaking as well as reduces a subject’s movement in case you use a tripod.
Select Single Shot (AF-S) not continuous (Servo or AF-C) when it comes to focus setting. You want to lock the autofocus onto the subject, but not tracking focus (that is for moving subjects).
Additionally, you need to figure out how to set up a camera for Back Button Focus. It is a regular option when you delete the function of autofocus from the shutter release button and assign it to one on the back of the device.
What is the advantage of doing it for a fashion shoot? In fact, you will not have to focus each time when neither you nor your subject is moving.
You can lock focus onto them and leave it there. In case you move a little or come closer, then just refocus and lock it again.
As a rule, I choose f/4 for fashion photography. The f/2.8 aperture allows getting more blurred background and a better bokeh (in case the model isn’t posing against a wall).
However, models are always moving because we need flowing dress or something like that.
That’s why f/2.8 is not enough for taking sharp pics. To create a thicker DF, I close down the aperture (use a higher f/stop number).
If you want to get sharp pics, then it is necessary to check whether the shutter speed is fast enough. Think about the minimum shutter speed you can use when shooting with a camera in hands and how slow it is possible to go while using a tripod.
If you experiment with photography posing indoors and the model isn’t waving hands or moving much, then choose 1/15th or even 1/8th of a second.
Personally, I do so, when using only the light coming from a window. Remember to ask the model to keep as still as possible.
Faster shutter speed is needed when you are working at the runaway. Start at 1/125th and adjust it if it’s necessary. Increase it if the pictures are blurry. You can also raise ISO if don’t want to adjust the aperture.
To my mind, people look better if you add more yellow (warmth) to their skin rather than blue (cooler). You may also choose a custom WB using a gray card in case the lighting conditions do not change.
However, you need to redo it if you get other lighting or you start moving.
AWB usually picks up the color casts of people’s clothes, bushes or any other items located near the subject in the image. It tends to neutralize those hues. However, sometimes AWB is mistaken.
Next Article: Ideas and Props ~ Fashion Photography Tips - 03
1. Choose the Camera
2. Use 24-70 mm Lenses
3. Gather Studio Lighting Kit
4. Use a Tripod
5. Always Retouch Your Photos
Please have look on the previous article : Fashion Photography Tips for Beginners - 01
6. Shoot in Manual Mode
As I stated earlier, using a tripod allows you to slow down. The same is with shooting in the Manual Mode. That’s why they work perfectly together.
What is more, shooting in Manual Mode means you can choose your own settings which will not change in any conditions. It means you will have consistent exposures from one frame to another.
7. Adjust ISO
One of the most helpful fashion photography tips is choosing a proper ISO. You can adjust it between 100 and 400. Start with ISO 400 especially if you are shooting in low light, in shade or indoors having only window light.
Don’t be afraid to increase ISO to 800 or even 1600. Remember about the opportunity to open up the aperture in poor lighting conditions. A fast enough shutter speed will prevent a camera from unwanted shaking as well as reduces a subject’s movement in case you use a tripod.
8. Choose Focus Mode
Additionally, you need to figure out how to set up a camera for Back Button Focus. It is a regular option when you delete the function of autofocus from the shutter release button and assign it to one on the back of the device.
What is the advantage of doing it for a fashion shoot? In fact, you will not have to focus each time when neither you nor your subject is moving.
You can lock focus onto them and leave it there. In case you move a little or come closer, then just refocus and lock it again.
9. Close Down the Aperture
As a rule, I choose f/4 for fashion photography. The f/2.8 aperture allows getting more blurred background and a better bokeh (in case the model isn’t posing against a wall).
However, models are always moving because we need flowing dress or something like that.
That’s why f/2.8 is not enough for taking sharp pics. To create a thicker DF, I close down the aperture (use a higher f/stop number).
10. Get the Right Shutter Speed
If you want to get sharp pics, then it is necessary to check whether the shutter speed is fast enough. Think about the minimum shutter speed you can use when shooting with a camera in hands and how slow it is possible to go while using a tripod.
If you experiment with photography posing indoors and the model isn’t waving hands or moving much, then choose 1/15th or even 1/8th of a second.
Personally, I do so, when using only the light coming from a window. Remember to ask the model to keep as still as possible.
Faster shutter speed is needed when you are working at the runaway. Start at 1/125th and adjust it if it’s necessary. Increase it if the pictures are blurry. You can also raise ISO if don’t want to adjust the aperture.
11. Choose White Balance
In all my fashion photography notes, I mention that choosing one of the WB presets (e.g. Daylight or Shady) available is your camera is preferable. Just select the one that suits lighting conditions best of all.To my mind, people look better if you add more yellow (warmth) to their skin rather than blue (cooler). You may also choose a custom WB using a gray card in case the lighting conditions do not change.
However, you need to redo it if you get other lighting or you start moving.
AWB usually picks up the color casts of people’s clothes, bushes or any other items located near the subject in the image. It tends to neutralize those hues. However, sometimes AWB is mistaken.
Next Article: Ideas and Props ~ Fashion Photography Tips - 03
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