This newsletter I will be talking about Angles. It really is all about the angle! Let's deep dive....
First things first, will I shoot I face level or lower? Well, for this shot below I was lower because I wanted Jenna Beth (https://www.facebook.com/MissJennaBeth/) to look taller, too low and she would have been too tall and you would miss some of the details of the car. As you can see from the Behind the scenes photo on the left that's about face height and on the right I'm probably around waist height.
Now to the models perspective, you REALLY have to pay attention to the height of the photographer as that has a lot to do with your proportions and the dreaded DOUBLE CHIN! That's right, we all hate it. I know.
So here's the thing, if he is low, don't lower your chin to meet the camera level, that makes more chins! Instead jut your chin just a little bit forward and very slightly down, make sure to look just above the photographer's head and not into the camera if you think they are really low, I would say if he's below chest height start adjusting your eyesight and keep it chest height, otherwise you look like you have your eyes closed!
Sveinn Photography behind the scenesSveinn Photography behind the scenes shooting for the Luscious Ladies Pinup Calendar 2018 at Just Toys carshop in Orlando, Florida
Sveinn Photography Pinup CalendarSveinn Photography behind the scenes shooting for the Luscious Ladies Pinup Calendar 2018 at Just Toys carshop in Orlando, Florida
SO when should the photographer adjust his height, should i say something? WHAT IF I HAVE A BAJILLION CHINS. Well communication is super key here, tell them straight out, hey make sure I don't have all of the chins! That is better than saying you look better at a different angle. Most photographers have a bit of confidence/pride that they know the best, and yes many times they do, but YOU know your body and maybe you're working with a photographer who is not familiar with that problem. If in doubt, just take a minute to review the photos! It's teamwork after all right? you want to look the best and he wants to capture the best!
Sveinn Photography Pinup at the Mai KaiSveinn Photography Pinup at the Mai Kai Ft Lauderdale Florida
Personally I LOVE shooting at a lower angle, but sometimes I have to bring it up a bit to get the right angle for lights. So that's the other aspect to angle, WHERE is the light coming from? Always be conscious of which light is putting light on your face, just ask the photographer if you are unsure! the angle and height of the light will also have a dramatic effect on where the shadows fall on your face and how much of it will be casting under the chin. In the photo above the lovely Scarlette Saintclair (https://www.facebook.com/ScarletteSaintclair/) has a light about 45 degrees from her face creating a nice fall of light on her face and a little shadow under the chin and that really brings out her lovely jaw and facial features.
So lastly spend a little time experimenting at your next shoot or even in the bathroom with a cell camera and take photos of your face looking at different heights!
See you around! \m/
Sveinn
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A little about me and my experience as a photographer, I've been shooting portraits and models since 2012, one of the top Pinup Photographers in the Retro industry in america. I've done pinup all across America even in Iceland and Sweden! You can find my work in spread out across multiple magazines over the years, great Mags like Bachelor Pad, Delicious Dolls, Ol Skool Rods Pinup Kulture and so much more, way more than I can keep count :). Through the years I have worked with some really great talent and learned a ton of tricks and tips for capturing the models, as well as THEIR perspective on photoshoots to better understand how to get the best out of everyone!