Over the weekend, with the help of two awesome friends, Faby Martin and Kim Ma, I attempted to produce an image from a concept that had been brewing in my mind for a while. The biggest challenge for this was finding a dress large enough to create the full background for the model. In this image, you can see the separation between the layers of the dress. Not exactly what I wanted, but now that I have an idea of how to do it, I will keep it written on my to-do list to attempt on a greater scale at a later date. For now, I’m really happy with the result. Thanks Faby and Kim.
Most interesting part of this shoot? This photo was the very first shot of the whole shoot. Funny how that works out sometimes.
When photographing models as they walk the runway at a fashion show, my job as a photographer is to capture every aspect of each design. In this blog post I am going to share with you how I go about shooting a catwalk and what I think about before I take each photograph.
Before I even start taking photos at a fashion show, I think about who will benefit the most from the images I create. Whether I am there on assignment for a client or not, the general goal is to document each design in the show. As a result, I feel that there are three primary groups of people that should be considered when documenting the show:
The designers
The hair stylists and make-up artists
The models
These three groups of people really want their work to shine. And so, I try to capture each design in two different compositions during the show. Firstly, for the designers, I want to capture the full design. A full body framing of the model coming down the runway, with every part of the design visible. These are the most popular images you see and even though it might seem easy, it’s not. Check out my post from the second night of Alberta Fashion Week to read how I go about shooting and creating the full body images.
Secondly, there are the hair stylists and make-up artists. For these people, I want to capture a close-up frame of the model to show off the artist’s work. This is generally referred to as a “detail image” and is easiest to capture when the model is at the end of the runway, closest to me, and has stopped walking. However, before they stop walking, I am already thinking about the shot. As the model is coming down the runway, I am looking for unique items and features around the head and shoulders that I would want to include. Jewelry, stylish make-up, crazy hair, hats, etc. All of that will make a play when I create my final composition. As soon as the model stops, I then frame my shot. Since the composition is a head shot, I have only one target in mind when it comes to focus; the model’s eyes. If their eyes aren’t in focus, the shot generally isn’t a winner; unless my strict purpose is to show off an accessory (in which case I will generally try to crop the eyes). Once I am framed and have focus, I finally take the picture.
I hope this all makes sense to you, because the amount of time it took you to read the last three sentences was more time than I have to do everything you read. Generally, I have about 5-8 seconds, depending on the model. It takes practice to go over all of that in your head in just a few seconds, but it eventually becomes second nature. The results of those two different shots will also benefit the third group, the models. They want to analyze how they walk and pose, so getting a full body image and a detailed close-up can really benefit a model in that respect.
So there you have it. Two different frames that benefit three different groups of people. That is how I go about shooting a runway show. It might be different than you, depending on your goals, but if you have the same goals that I do, then hopefully this will help you with your results.
The final night of Alberta Fashion Week was easily the best (compared to the opening night, second night, and third night). The house was packed and the designs were fabulous. There was even a little birthday celebration for the Director’s mother, complete with sparklers and pink balloons. I had a blast photographing the designs at this season’s AFW, hanging out, chatting with the models, chatting with friends, and sharing the experience with my fellow photographers. My results from the runway at this event are easily my best work so far getting compliments from everyone, who are even comparing them to international fashion shows. *blushing*
Thank you everyone for all of your comments. I really appreciate them. My job was to capture the designs in their moment on the catwalk so that we can share them long after the event is over, and I feel I have accomplished that. Maybe one day I really will get to photograph one of the big shows. Until then, keep your eye open for me at the next AFW (currently scheduled for March 2011).
The third night of Alberta Fashion Week was very impressive. Dianna Martin of Di Designs kicked the runway off with some very impressive outfits, which was followed by Hillberg & Berk’s jewelry line The Lalita Deva Collection. Mealan completed the evening’s catwalk display with some beautiful coats and bright colours. Click on either of the images within this post to view all of the designs from the third night.
The second night of Alberta Fashion Week came and went. Lots of great people and lots of great designs, including the oddly beautiful designs by Nicole Rita Tomney, who gave the crowd a unique view of her line featuring models wearing fencing masks. If you missed my post about opening night, see it here.
As for my photos so far, well, they’re getting a lot of attention, which is fantastic. People love them. As a photographer, it is always a challenge to photograph an event such as this (well, any event for that matter). Varied lighting, moving subjects, and numerous other elements can all play a part in creating photographs that work and photographs that don’t. I’ve had some practice and even though its easy to make a mistake (like accidentally leaving your exposure compensation stopped down 1.5 levels) I am always impressed with my own results. It’s what makes me enjoy doing it.
For those interested, I’m shooting this event with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 at 1000-1600 ISO in Aperture Priority mode with AI Servo on. Those may be my camera settings, but when it comes to fashion and runway shows, consistency, focus, and composition are extremely important in your photographs. When I’m going through and rating my photos from each night, I’m taking a lot of characteristics into account when selecting which photo will make it into my “public” selections (the photos that get presented to the world). If you’d like to know some things I look for, here are a select few.
When a model is walking the runway, I always try to capture them in an elegant and aesthetic pose. This can be tricky since the model is moving, but with practice, you learn where the sweet spots are in a person’s form. Capturing the model in good form in turns shows off the clothing/design. When the model has one foot forward on the catwalk, touching the ground (or close to it), you generally get a nice clean view of the footwear as well as a nice long leg visual on the model. This helps emphasize the fact that they are walking. If you get both legs side-by-side, they look like they’re just standing there. When choosing my final images, I try not to select an image where the model’s legs are side-by-side or one where they are slouched. They just look awkward.
You also want to make sure any accessories like bags, scarves, bracelets or other jewelry are visible. Remember that there is more to the design than just the featured clothing. People want to see everything. Finally, I always only select images with the model looking up (if possible). A model looking at the floor looks bored, tired, and creates an uninteresting photo. If I can get the model to look directly at me, event better, as a photograph with the model looking at the viewer makes the image much more engaging. By taking all of this into account (plus a lot more), I get a nice clean and consistent set of catwalk images throughout the event. As for my post-processing, well, maybe I’ll share that in a future post.
For more information about Alberta Fashion Week, visit them online at www.albertafashionweek.ca, or follow @abfashionweek on Twitter. Remember, if you can’t make it out, there is even a live UStream feed where you can watch all of the action live online. Watch it here.
Alberta Fashion Week kicked off for it’s third showing on Sunday September 26th, 2010. Thankfully, I was front and center again, ready to capture all of the amazing designs and models as they presented themselves down the 65-foot gleaming white runway. Photographing the event is always a new challenge, but it’s something that is definitely helping me grow as a photographer. It’s also always fun to meet new people at the events, from models and industry people to fellow photographers capturing the glamorous action. It is also always great to see people I don’t get get to see as often as I would like.
The event is taking place in Eau Claire Market, located in downtown Calgary, and is running each night until September 30th. If you like fashion even a little bit, I recommend you come and check it out.
For more information about Alberta Fashion Week, visit them online at www.albertafashionweek.ca, or follow @abfashionweek on Twitter. If you can’t make it out, there is even a live UStream feed where you can watch all of the action live online. Watch it here.
My friend Marisha is awesome. She is incredibly photogenic, so I enjoy having her model for me. Whether its promo work or some stock concepts, she is always game. You might remember seeing her in one of my first posts, Happy Birthday To Me And My Friends.
Anyways, on one of the few sunny days that Calgary received this summer, we headed to a local park and shot some stock, which I think turned out really well. I know Yoga is a super saturated stock concept to begin with, but I don’t really care. I had never done it and I always enjoy shooting new subjects and concepts.
You can see a lightbox on iStock of more images from the shoot that day.
This is Erin. I photographed her during the same session as Nicholette not long ago. I had originally planned for some concept shots at a swimming pool that day, but the weather wasn’t the greatest, so we ended up indoors. I brought along some beer, wine, and other goodies for everyone, which turned out to be pretty fun little props. As you can see in the photo above, Erin enjoyed the gummy worms.
Big thanks to MUA Jillian Laycock and my friend David Austin for helping out that day.
This is Nicholette. We met a little over a year ago and we’ve done other shoots in the past. This photo is from a shoot we did last weekend, which I think turned out really well.
Above: Portrait of Ian Harding at the iStockphoto RetroLypse photography event.
Here is the third and final part to my iStockphoto RetroLypse event series for you.
During the very last day of the event and right near the end of the day, I was one of the last shooters to have my turn at a location involving a super grungy jam session studio where musicians hang out and do their thing. The whole time everyone else was taking their turn, I was eyeballing two old sofas that were covered with junk and dust, but I could see had a lot of personality. There was also a stack of televisions in the corner of the room, which no one seemed to care to use. So when my turn came, I went to work with my unique shot.
The good thing about shooting last was that after I got my initial concept out, more models starting walking in after finishing with other shoots. The next thing I knew, I had ALL of the models in my shot. We did a few, but the image below was a clear favorite. Just before tearing down the lights, I decided that it would be a really cool self-portrait to be standing in the middle of all of the models in my scene. Actually, I should tell the truth and state that fellow photographer Fraser Dowall was actually the one who fired the shot. I simply handed him the camera and said, “Here, take one of me quickly.” Thanks Fraser.
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