Fashion shooting experience sharing 19.1.09

19.1.09 : Here are some shots that I recently took. A fashion show. Yup, some of the rare photography I partake in. This was for Forever 21 and Noir. The models were experienced lots. Basically you'll see them in a few fashion shows around the Klang Valley. My favorite Russian/Ukraine model was not present. I do think that the others were sophisticated enough to carry the brands. Above: We photographers do look a little funny to the lay man/public.
Model shooting basically calls for patience and quickness. Sounds contradictory? Patience because there's plenty of photographers rushing for space. You have to know where to stand. The good spots are normally for those who brings their own "ladder"for leverage. So that's how desperate things have become. They usually stand at the end of the runway. Then there's the lens factor. The lens showcase means who carries the biggest, most expensive lens. It's like a road-show with lens as artilleries . The guys are no strangers to shooting fashion shows. Some have hanging bags, I jokingly call them "hangers". Quickness, is using a series of wits and equipment to get the shot. You shoot with the foreground (the model) and the background in mind. The model's eye has to be sharp, you wait for her to look at you before you snap. This can be frustrating because she (the model) may not even see your camera. The background has to be cluster free without distractions. No escalators, no heads, no funny objects that can ruin the shot. Personally I hate it when the signage was captured because of my anchored position. Some photographers are polite, others are very rude. Some are just ham-sap lo. I think that photographers are generally looking for angles but sometimes they get carried away and think that their photos of a general fashion shoot will earn them big bucks. Fat chance in Malaysia. Paparazzi are not handsomely paid here, unlike in the USA/Europe/HK. So, we all try to pretend that we are great photographers shooting for magazines, etc, in truth we are just trying to have fun and it indeed fun when you use a great long heavy lens. Size does matter here.