Post: #76

(07-15-2014 03:23 PM)The Wire Wrote:  

(07-12-2014 12:49 AM)Espresso Wrote:  Are you a complete beginner? Either way, don't really see a need to sign up and pay for classes. There is a tonne of good free info on various blogs and professional youtube channels that would explain concepts/techniques/examples starting from basics to pretty advanced stuff. Once you're up to speed, taking a specialized class might be useful.

Spend the money on some good glass instead. Depends on your budget, but you can start with:
Nikon D5300 body ($750)
50mm 1.8g nikkor lens ($200)

There are two types of DSLRs: crop-sensor (like the Nikon D5300) and full-frame (these are considerably more expensive). This is important because it changes the effective focal length of the lens, so the 50mm on a crop-sensor DSLR would become a 75mm on full-frame.

For portraits you generally want a long-ish focal length, say 75mm or above. Shorter focal lengths (=wide-angle) would not make flattering portraits generally as it distorts the facial features. 75mm is probably the minimum you should use (=50mm on crop-sensor). No hard and fast rule about the exact number, but 105mm is considered a classic, or you can go even much higher especially if you're doing head shots as opposed to portraits showing most of the body. One thing to keep in mind though is make sure your loft studio (which sounds sweet btw) is big enough because the longer the focal length the further back you're gonna have to stand from the model.

You would also need some studio lights. You can use off-camera flash units with softboxes (to diffuse the light making it softer). You can buy a cheap home-studio lighting kit of under $300, which would have 2-3 lights with a couple softboxes and stands to hold them. Or you can use natural light to begin with if your loft has some nice light coming in.

Finally, get Adobe Lightroom ($100) for post-processing, and you're good to go.

Enjoy.

Nice post. I've been doing photography as a hobby for a few years, just landscapes and wanted to venture into this "model" world as well.

I pretty much have all the focal lengths covered with the following equipment already...

Sony RX1(I know expensive as hell for a fixed 35mm, but got a excellent deal on it)
Pentax K-5 with Lens; 77mm 1.8 prime, 18-55mm kit lens, 55-300mm


What type of shooting would you do in your apartment? What I mean is typical 2-3 light setup with standing headshots/body shots or do you go everywhere....like having a girl lay on your bed with the natural light? I'm just trying to think of the entire "shoot" from start to finish. I'm guessing you need someone kind of reflectors if using natural light as well.

I have no lighting equipment except one off camera flash yet, but I have decent apartment window lighting.

I should say that i'm not a professional photographer at least for now (i don't charge money for shoots), so my advice is that of an enthusiast. I currently use Nikon D610 (a 'budget' full-frame dslr) and 85mm 1.8g for portraiture work. Right now I rent a room and have a nice white wall that i use as my backdrop (you can buy an actual backdrop if you don't have that for under $100) but it's limited in what I can do since it's a pretty small room (that I also live in!). I have a couple friends coming later this week for corporate type headshots for their company, and the last few shoots I did were outside or elsewhere (park/grafitti walls/library etc). You often need lights for outdoor shoots too, but you can start with an on-camera flash unit and flash diffuser (to lighten up faces softly etc). Ideally I would like to move onto 'boudoir photography' and do creative outdoor shoots too. Having a girl lay on your bed in natural light can be beautiful, especially in black and white.

You can also rent hours in an actual studio (which can also include the use of lights etc as part of the deal) and it won't be too expensive since you'll only need about 2 hours for a shoot.

Post: #77

Espresso,

Nikon D610 and 85mm 1.8g is a pretty damn good combo especially for the money. I was considering a D600 a little while ago(though heard of problems with oil spots)

Just curious what size of a room are working with? I figure I can shoot from about 13ft max(4 meters) in my living room.

Post: #78

(07-15-2014 08:31 PM)The Wire Wrote:  Espresso,

Nikon D610 and 85mm 1.8g is a pretty damn good combo especially for the money. I was considering a D600 a little while ago(though heard of problems with oil spots)

Just curious what size of a room are working with? I figure I can shoot from about 13ft max(4 meters) in my living room.

Yeah I had to turn my D600 in and upgrade to the D610.

I have about 3.5m available, so it's limited. When shooting indoors I would switch to the 50mm 1.8g if I need to get a lot of the body in - so depends on what kind of portraits you have in mind. Also bear in mind that you won't always be able to take advantage of the whole space - for example you might not want to have the model right up against the wall/backdrop if you want to have lighting there.

Post: #79

Bumping this thread.

Thoughts on 60D Canon? I have been offered a second hand one with standard 18-55mm lens for $500.

I have been a Canon guy but maybe I need to switch to Nikon.

Post: #80

(05-01-2013 12:39 PM)Low Status Beta Wrote:  #1. Rent Office Space in a Building Downtown (Showcase.com). Models will be more comfortable going to a Commercial Location, as opposed to some random dude's house. Surprisingly, this doesn't even cost that much. A 200 Sq ft. can be rented for below $375 a month. In a Major city like LA/NY it may be a little more expensive, like $500.

#2. Get some huge Photos printed up (like atleast 36") and Framed on the Wall. You don't necessarily have to put up Pictures of your Own work, you can buy some random Celebrity Pics from GettyImages.com. What are the odds that someone would recognize it? Maybe 1 in a Million. The fact you got them professionally set and Framed would quiet any doubt anyways. Should only cost $100-200 for both the actual Pics/Frames.

#3. Befriend MUA. Doesn't necessarily have to be a professional, a random girl attending Beauty School would work; infact you could probably convince them to work as an "Intern". High Status Photographers are expected to have Assistants/People working for them anyways.

#4. Once a week, go out along with the Assistant to the mall, and find a High-End store that attracts upscale Women. Introduce yourself to a girl, asking if she is a Model. Have your assistant show her "Portfolio" pics on an iPad/Tablet. As mentioned in #2, doesn't necessarily have to be your own stuff, just steal them from already establish photographer...what's the odds of them finding out?

#5. Stay in contact with them, and find out the next time they are visiting a hair salon, and schedule your shoot immediately after that. After the shoot have them send the Photos to their Hair Stylist. Then you can introduce yourself to the hairstylist, and ask her to pipeline you other girls who visit her Salon.

The only real major expense is buying the gear (Camera, Lighting, Boxes), but that should run you no more than $1500.

thanks for bumping this thread rudebwoy.

This post got me thinking about running some photography/studio game.

I checked the rental rates in my area. I can get an office space right downtown for ~$250 for a single room, something like 100sq. ft. If I wanna go up to ~$500 range I can get 200-300 sq ft and a parking spot, this place is right next to my apartment so that parking spot is actually worth at least $100 to me.

Has anyone here had a small studio/office space? Have you pulled drunk chicks back there for an impromptu modeling shoot? How much room did you need in your studio? etc, etc, etc.

Post: #81

(07-24-2014 06:28 PM)rudebwoy Wrote:  Bumping this thread.

Thoughts on 60D Canon? I have been offered a second hand one with standard 18-55mm lens for $500.

I have been a Canon guy but maybe I need to switch to Nikon.

Depends on what you plan to shoot. I don't think anybody needs to switch from Canon to Nikon or vice versa, unless you have something specific in mind. They both make great cameras.

Do you really need that 18-55mm kit lens? For quality portraits for example, you will need a different lens. E.g. a 50mm 1.8 prime for a crop-sensor.

Post: #82

I was trying to game some chick and during I asked her if she wants a job, she said yes and I said I know a photographer but it's lingerie modelling (note I only said this to try to turn it more sexual, I don't know a photographer, it was bullshit) but I continued anyway and now she thinks I'm really serious, we flirted a bit and she said she would show me the pics and more maybe but she keeps asking about it. Any idea how I take it from here?

Post: #83

I am not really interested in this topic, but I read something interesting and thought of this thread. For those of you unfamiliar with JJ Luna, he is one of the foremost experts on personal privacy and offers a number of interesting ebooks. Just Google him or enter his name into Amazon books.

At any rate, this is from an email he sent today (he rarely sends them, so I pay attention when he does). I trust him implicitly and recommend him as a resource. I have no pecuniary interest in this endeavor, just trying to help.

Quote: New author--pro photography

I've known James Dix, from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, for more than 50 years. He has forgotten more about fine art photography (young models) than I will ever know. I've talked him into doing a couple of ebooks, providing I help him find buyers, which I will. If any of you are photography nuts and wish to learn more about shooting pictures of attractive young women, send me a request. I will put you in a separate list, to be advised of progress, see samples of his work, and to be the first ones to be able to order the new book(s).

His contact information, if interested: [email protected]

Post: #84

(04-29-2013 11:59 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  I had a buddy that shot models, and I'm pretty sure he did it mostly to fuck them. He just one day up and decided to start photography. He isn't great, but goddamn does he fuck some fine girls from it. He was a playboy before though, so it was nothing new for him. But I definitely do think it up'd his notch count. He already knew all sorts of fly girls in town and had a great job that introduced him to lots of good looking girls as well. He worked right in the center of Miami Beach at one of the most poppin' spots. Damn did that boy kill it.

What was that guy's job before he went into photography?

Post: #85

I am going into Lingerie business. Right now, I am looking for a model on modelmayhem to shoot some lifestyle shots. I will probably hire a photographer since I am not experienced with fashion shots. I won't pursue those models heavily though. I will just keep it cool and if the opportunity comes along then why not?

If you find a pleasure in taking pictures of people, then do it as your hobby. but I don't think you can stay long if you don't have interests in it.
When I was travelling, I was taking picture of anything I found exotic. To some people, it's just a rusted freakin door but it looked interesting to me. I was spending extra labor (you have to shoot many times to get good pics, you have to sort it out on your computer) just to shoot things I liked.
I will really enjoy taking pictures of females who fit in my type. But since it's a person, it can get complicated.
You better know what you are doing since you have limited amount of time. (you can't have her stand there for 10 min till you get a good shot)/
there are girls on modelmayhem who will pose for free in exchange for photos. can you deliver good quality photos they will like?

A lot of people carry those beginner DSLR these days. So you can't just grab one of those entry dslr with kit lens and expect girls to think you are a photographer.

bottom line, unless this is your true hobby or you do something related to photography, I think it's better to just Talk to girls you like.

Post: #86

(07-25-2014 01:43 AM)Sebastian Wrote:  bottom line, unless this is your true hobby or you do something related to photography, I think it's better to just Talk to girls you like.

Makes a great deal of sense. That is exactly why I stated in my previous post: "I am not really interested in this topic." Good luck to those who are.

Post: #87

Here is a detailed reddit post on working with model mayhem models if you are just starting out.
http://www.reddit.com/r/photography/comm...models_by/

Post: #88

When I moved to another state last year I was pretty bored since I didn't know anyone there. The guy whose house I was renting runs a BIG time modeling agency in LA and I found some of his old model release forums and things in the house. I ended up getting on craigslist and posting a ad for a photographer to shoot hot young girls for free but they could keep their pics and use them for their portfolios as well. I found my guy, a older semi retired photographer who as a man loved shooting young hot women, he ended up being a real cool guy. Then I made up a modeling agency gmail account and made some craigslist ad looking for models. I got TONS of girls sending me pics and thier phone #s and some naked pics it was pretty crazy. I picked the hottest ones and set up some appointments for photo shoots with my photographer. I told the girls I was not going to pay them for the shoots cause I was paying for camera man but they could have a disk with their pics on it. I told them all I was connected with a big time model agency (not a total lie, I knew the guy who runs the big modeling agency in LA) It led to some hot bangs and meeting some hot girls... not as many as I would have liked but I was living with my LTR and it was not as easy to be sleasy as I would have liked. Best of all was meeting the photographer, he was cool and old and fun to shoot the shit with. Thats a quick story of a way I found to pass the time in a new city that sort of deals with photography game.
Heres a pic of the first girl I met up with after posting my "Searching for models" ad. She was 18 and Brazilian and had a Phat ASS. She brought her mom with her to my interview. I played it off well as shit though.. it was kind of fun, like acting. She has only been living in the US since she was 12.

I still have my gmail with my cool made up modeling agency name.. I think I am gonna run a form of this game again cause now I have a dope camera I just bought.
Heres my new camera:
Nikon D5200

Post: #89

Any of you who do photography know much about permits? In LA? I want to start doing photography outside on a TFP basis but just want to understand permit requirements, if any. Thanks.

Post: #90

(12-09-2014 11:24 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Any of you who do photography know much about permits? In LA? I want to start doing photography outside on a TFP basis but just want to understand permit requirements, if any. Thanks.

http://www.modelingwiki.com/index.php?ti...phy_permit

The trouble comes in whether you think you can convince the person bothering you (if that's even likely) that your photography is not commercial. Being as a model would very likely want to use the photos for commercial purposes (promoting herself as a model), it could be interpreted as commercial despite not money changing hands.

I know a photographer down there, would be happy to hit him up for you if that link doesn't cover it.

Post: #91

(12-09-2014 11:29 PM)AneroidOcean Wrote:  

(12-09-2014 11:24 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Any of you who do photography know much about permits? In LA? I want to start doing photography outside on a TFP basis but just want to understand permit requirements, if any. Thanks.

http://www.modelingwiki.com/index.php?ti...phy_permit

The trouble comes in whether you think you can convince the person bothering you (if that's even likely) that your photography is not commercial. Being as a model would very likely want to use the photos for commercial purposes (promoting herself as a model), it could be interpreted as commercial despite not money changing hands.

I know a photographer down there, would be happy to hit him up for you if that link doesn't cover it.

Would you mind asking your friend? I have read a few posts on model mayhem and they seem to make it seem like as long as it is just you and the model and minimal gear (i.e. no light stands, soft boxes, etc) they will leave you alone. The rules will definitely say a permit is required but I wonder what the practical reality is.

Not looking to make any money off of photography just want to have some fun.

Thanks!

Post: #92

Interesting!! Now I am thinking of buying a camera, making an e mail account with my modeling agency name and having business cards made and distributed where females congregate! Creepin your post did inspire me some. I am just curious if the trade off is worth it ($500 or so for a camera!) , I have no interest in photography and would just be doing this for the girls.

Post: #93

Brian there is another photography thread that spoke about this as well and usually natural light (to save having to buy lights and shit). I would search and link for you if I was on my pc. It was also a good thread and covered a lot.

If you are patient you can get a refurbished camera and lens for around 350 to 400. Just need to search for deals.

Post: #94

holy crap... this thread got me thinking..

Post: #95

what I don't see mentioned is club photography..

Post: #96

(12-10-2014 08:21 AM)Brian Shima Wrote:  Interesting!! Now I am thinking of buying a camera, making an e mail account with my modeling agency name and having business cards made and distributed where females congregate! Creepin your post did inspire me some. I am just curious if the trade off is worth it ($500 or so for a camera!) , I have no interest in photography and would just be doing this for the girls.

My opinion is that if you have no interest in photography, there are easier and more productive ways to meet girls. Using photography as a gaming tool is only useful if you enjoy photography and would be doing it anyway. If so, then sure, combine the two and see if you can get some bangs out of it.

Back when I started this thread, I had grand illusions of photography game delivering effortless pussy. I've met a few girls through photo shoots, one of whom I'm still banging on the side, but I can say with certainty that I would not recommend this approach unless you really enjoy photography and are willing to invest the time and money required to get good at it. There are lots of Guys With Cameras out there and you don't want to be one of them.

Edit - punctuation and spelling

Post: #97

(12-09-2014 11:58 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  Would you mind asking your friend? I have read a few posts on model mayhem and they seem to make it seem like as long as it is just you and the model and minimal gear (i.e. no light stands, soft boxes, etc) they will leave you alone. The rules will definitely say a permit is required but I wonder what the practical reality is.

Not looking to make any money off of photography just want to have some fun.

Thanks!

He gave me the same generic information. Is there a specific location you're thinking of? It changes with location and also, the more equipment you have the more likely you are to be called on it. He said he wouldn't worry about it if it's just you, the model, and a camera.

Post: #98

Bump.

Tried photography game for the first time on friday (with fellow RVF member thevirgin).

Got two phone numbers, one from a girl I photographed and one from an amateur model in the subway ride home.

I'm chatting and setting up a date via text witht the first one (she's dying to see her pics), and arranging a shoot with the model for next week.

Post: #99

(07-15-2014 03:23 PM)The Wire Wrote:  

(07-12-2014 12:49 AM)Espresso Wrote:  Are you a complete beginner? Either way, don't really see a need to sign up and pay for classes. There is a tonne of good free info on various blogs and professional youtube channels that would explain concepts/techniques/examples starting from basics to pretty advanced stuff. Once you're up to speed, taking a specialized class might be useful.

Spend the money on some good glass instead. Depends on your budget, but you can start with:
Nikon D5300 body ($750)
50mm 1.8g nikkor lens ($200)

There are two types of DSLRs: crop-sensor (like the Nikon D5300) and full-frame (these are considerably more expensive). This is important because it changes the effective focal length of the lens, so the 50mm on a crop-sensor DSLR would become a 75mm on full-frame.

For portraits you generally want a long-ish focal length, say 75mm or above. Shorter focal lengths (=wide-angle) would not make flattering portraits generally as it distorts the facial features. 75mm is probably the minimum you should use (=50mm on crop-sensor). No hard and fast rule about the exact number, but 105mm is considered a classic, or you can go even much higher especially if you're doing head shots as opposed to portraits showing most of the body. One thing to keep in mind though is make sure your loft studio (which sounds sweet btw) is big enough because the longer the focal length the further back you're gonna have to stand from the model.

You would also need some studio lights. You can use off-camera flash units with softboxes (to diffuse the light making it softer). You can buy a cheap home-studio lighting kit of under $300, which would have 2-3 lights with a couple softboxes and stands to hold them. Or you can use natural light to begin with if your loft has some nice light coming in.

Finally, get Adobe Lightroom ($100) for post-processing, and you're good to go.

Enjoy.

Nice post. I've been doing photography as a hobby for a few years, just landscapes and wanted to venture into this "model" world as well.

I pretty much have all the focal lengths covered with the following equipment already...

Sony RX1(I know expensive as hell for a fixed 35mm, but got a excellent deal on it)
Pentax K-5 with Lens; 77mm 1.8 prime, 18-55mm kit lens, 55-300mm


What type of shooting would you do in your apartment? What I mean is typical 2-3 light setup with standing headshots/body shots or do you go everywhere....like having a girl lay on your bed with the natural light? I'm just trying to think of the entire "shoot" from start to finish. I'm guessing you need someone kind of reflectors if using natural light as well.

I have no lighting equipment except one off camera flash yet, but I have decent apartment window lighting.

While dating a porno chick a few years back, we decided to set up a photo/video studio in a spare bedroom. Despite breaking up shortly after that, I continued with the photography as an interesting side-hobby. After the first five or six shoots, and depending on how good the girl is 'on camera', I've been getting some very decent results, while also improving my Photoshop skills.

Essentially, it's just an average size room with a stand for holding the background paper rolls, and I've got a few different colors of those. But the original camera was just a basic Olympus that has been recently upgraded to a basic Sony, both being maybe one step above standard point and shoots but having fancy fixed lenses.

The real secret has been putting together a fairly inexpensive LED continuous lighting rig from various sellers on Amazon. I've got two umbrella lights for the background, along with a large softbox key light, an overhead 'hair light' and a smaller softbox fill light.

Here's the important part: most of the college-aged chicks I'm gaming are of the narcissistic 'selfie' generation, but very few have done a 'real' shoot. So I'll just casually drop it into conversation as one of my hobbies, showing them pics. from shoots that I've saved to my phone. And then if they're intrigued, there's even a pic. of the studio itself which looks all legit. After that, I'll # close, and if they actually follow through, here I am one-on-one and in the crib with an often scantily-clad young hottie.

Unless I'm feeling mutual attraction in general, I won't even mention the studio. But if she's already hooked, often it serves as nice plausible deniability for the SNL. Of course, when she comes over, I'll show her my place, seeding ideas for after the shoot. Usually we'll spend maybe thirty min. taking pics. And then after that we'll chill down in the basement, and I'll escalate while watching a movie or something.

In other words, having the photo studio is just another valuable tool in the seducer's bag of tricks...

Post: #100

I've gotten myself into a unique situation. A workmate of mine is one of the most renowned model photographer in our city and country. He's offered me the opportunity to join him on his shoots, so that he can personally instruct me.

I respect photography as an art and genuinely want to be proficient at it. At the same time though, I'll be meeting beautiful women every weekend for the forseeable future.

How do I play this thing out i.e. get their numbers/out for a drink. The last thing I want to do though is ruin this chance of a lifetime.