I learned that working with models can be tricky and tiring, but super rewarding if you do it right. Depending on the type of photograph you’re trying to do. Nowadays, it is easy to contact a model; Instagram is great for sending direct messages; and of course, Facebook is great if you join groups. Once you have a few shoots, you can approach a model agency for testing. These days, however, they are a lot more picky about who they use and they tend to like a similar style. However, many give new photographers access to their new faces so collaboration is really possible at this point.
Collaborations between creatives are part of a photographer’s DNA and they can help us achieve our creative goals all parties seem to benefit from his Collaboration has become an important part of photography and building your book. I don’t do too many collaborations but when I worked with Natasha we had a common goal in mind which were to create a set of pictures. My goal was to try out my Fuji GFX and work out if I was going to sell my Fuji X-T3 and for Natasha, it was all about getting images which looked editorial.
The added bonus for me was that she was bringing her boyfriend along and as he had quite a quirky South American look it really worked out well.
At that time back in November, I had been given the camera to keep for a six month period. At the end of this time, I was asked if I would like to purchase it with a very cheap option on the whole kit. I was therefore wanting to run it through its paces. The camera was provided by Wedio in Denmark. They have ambassadors like me and also offer a subscription option on their kit rentals. I produced a set of videos for them n our collaboration and you can see some here
If you’ve never collaborated with a model before, the whole thing can be a little intimidating. When I was first starting in photography, I worked only with my girlfriend at the time. This way of working could only work for so long, and I soon realised that I would need a supply of models for my University Photography Course.
I created in the darkroom some business cards which I could take out with me, and when I noticed a female model’s potential, I would go up to them as calm as possible and explain who I was and how they could help me get pictures and in return, they would also get a set. Now at first, the subjects were from nightclubs or wine bars. This was so intimidating for me as I was a shy guy, and I found the whole process so stressful.
The most crucial piece of information I found out was that even though a girl appeared pretty and photogenic, so I thought! The truth was that the people I had asked to model for me had no presence or idea of what to do in front of the camera, and it was also clear that they were not that great in front of the camera.
I learned that working with models can be tricky, and tiring, but super rewarding if you do it right. Depending on the type of photograph you’re trying to do. These days it is easy to make contact with a model, Instagram is great for using direct messages and of course, Facebook is great if you join groups. Once you have a few shoots under your belt then you can approach a model agency for testing. These days however they are a lot more choosy about who they use and they tend to like a similar style. however many give new photographers access to their new faces and so collaboration is really possible at this point.
FUJI X-T3
The X-T3 in low light performs well. It has a weight feel and feels a little like an SLR, I was happy with the shots although in low light the speed of focus was a little slow and searching. The only thing I was not that happy with was the excessive grain in low light and as my main camera is a Nikon this was very obvious. I was that concerned that the following week it went on eBay
FUJI X-T3
Both models featured here were not booked via a model agency. Both were booked via a direct message on Instagram. We collaborated on the idea and the style and arranged to meet up at my chosen location. I produced a mood board and that sealed the deal. Sometimes working this way you get access to a range of models who work for their own brand rather than just the model agency.
FUJI GFX50S
Shooting into the light can create some great shots. This style of shooting really can only be done effectively in manual mode. If not the camera will underexpose for the mid-tones and highlights and create a very dark and shadowy picture. If you take the reading first with a light meter or use the inbuilt camera light meter then you can manually input the shutter, f.stop and ISO to get the best look for processing.
FUJI GFX50S
In this shot, I used the Fuji GFX fitted with battery grip and the fuji 32-64mm zoom. The camera I like a lot and after having my Hasselblad, I feel that this camera is better suited to me for now. The pictures are high enough resolution but again the focus can be pretty slow to respond. I am keeping the camera though as overall the final pictures are pretty sharp and have great tonal range.
FUJI X-T3
FUJI GFX50S
FUJI GFX50S
Key Specifications GFX50S
- 26MP BSI ‘X-Trans CMOS 4’ sensor
- 425-point hybrid AF system
- Improved AF Tracking and Face/Eye Detection AF
- 20 fps shooting with AF (11 fps with mechanical shutter)
- 30 fps shooting in 1.25x crop with electronic shutter
- ‘Sports Finder’ mode gives preview of area around a 1.25x crop
- 3.69M-dot electronic viewfinder
- Three-axis tilting touchscreen
- 10 bit 4:2:0 H.265 internal video capture (4:2:2 over HDMI)
- UHD/DCI 4K/60p from 1.18x crop region
- UHD/DCI 4K/30p using full width of sensor
- Internal F-Log capture (HLG coming by end of 2018)
- Dual UHS-II SD card slots
- USB C-type connector can be used for charging battery
- Headphone and Mic Sockets
FUJI X-T3
I made use of a Speedlight to capture these. Actually, this was the snap-on flashlight that either comes with the X-T3 or you can buy on Amazon or eBay. The flash is so small but quite powerful. In these shots, the camera focus was set to auto and the shots were captured right out of the camera for exposure.
FUJI X-T3
Key Specifications X-T3
- 26MP BSI ‘X-Trans CMOS 4’ sensor
- 425-point hybrid AF system
- Improved AF Tracking and Face/Eye Detection AF
- 20 fps shooting with AF (11 fps with mechanical shutter)
- 30 fps shooting in 1.25x crop with electronic shutter
- ‘Sports Finder’ mode gives preview of area around a 1.25x crop
- 3.69M-dot electronic viewfinder
- Three-axis tilting touchscreen
- 10 bit 4:2:0 H.265 internal video capture (4:2:2 over HDMI)
- UHD/DCI 4K/60p from 1.18x crop region
- UHD/DCI 4K/30p using full width of sensor
- Internal F-Log capture (HLG coming by end of 2018)
- Dual UHS-II SD card slots
- USB C-type connector can be used for charging battery
- Headphone and Mic Sockets