By Eric Cohen
This week’s OnSet event focused on the sublime art of fashion model photography. But I have a bit of bone to pick with the organizers. You see, the program’s title specifically stated “Shoot Beautiful Fashion Models For Free.” Now the models were certainly beautiful.And there were certainly a lot of photography tips to be had. However, it turned out this wasn’t a lesson in how to convince models to work for you for free (I mean, why wouldn’t they?). Instead, the Adorama Proteam wasenabling an opportunity to actually shoot free photographs of said beautiful fashion models.
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The demonstrative approach was quite simple this time around. Rather than presenting three sessions focusing on an aspect of an all encompassing theme, each chapter was pretty much a slight variation of the same just with different lighting set ups while host Daniel Norton’s team took turns presenting each segment. Also, models varied from session to session. The onus this time, however, was on the audience as they were invited to bring their cameras and take a few stills of their own. It was so popular, in fact, that Daniel had to find an additional sectionto accommodate an ever increasing line of photographers who had been patiently waiting their turn. And sometimes this necessitated thrusting a member of the store’s staff into the literal spotlight so that they could act as an additional model.
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Daniel attempts to secure a second shooting location while setting up an additional light, etc., as intrepid photographers lined up to await their turn.
Initially, Daniel created a simulated photographer’s studio space. His first model was positioned in front of a white background. To her side rested a silver umbrella with an attached light pointed directly at its parabolic center.
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Daniel then experimented with negative fill by setting up a large sheet of duvatyne (used on film and photography shoots, duvatyne is made up of a fire retardant black fabric. Often used to block light, it is also the material that is commonly made up of most theater curtains). Daniel would then replace that with a white flag to bounce off some of the light. Thus, different visual options were presented.
During the second part of the event, Daniel’s ever ready assistant, Dave Brusca, took over to show us how to shoot two models within the same frame. He also offered personalized advice to more than a few of eager photographers in attendance.
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Finally, Adorama Pro’s Photography and Lighting expert Richard Miller revealed his process when it comes to portraiture photography, while differing onDaniel Norton’s opinion that one shouldalways using a tripod, proving that there are many photography rules that can be expertly broken! This time he worked with diffused light by pointing its source through a white flag.
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One more interesting thing of note: after setting up the second shooting location to accommodate the waiting crowd, Daniel offered suggestions as to how to isolate the model from everything else surrounding her. And in this case I refer to the bright bustle of Adorama’s store in NYC. He employed a nifty trick by playing with the ISO and f-stop of the camera lens.
All in all it was a pretty exhaustive day. A very large turnout made for an immensely popular event. Hopefully everyone got a chance to take home their free photo of a model.
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OnSet is presented by Adorama Pro and Adorama.NYC every Thursday from 12 pm to 6 pm at 42 West 18th Street. You can view a complete list of upcoming events here. And Daniel Norton’s companion video series can be viewed here and on AdoramaTV. The OnSet events are free to the general public.
