That first shot is a great use of backlighting and negative space in my opinion. Cool. :-)>

Looks like you might be in for some cool results.... NOW, big question - HOW did you turn this convo around to get this situation? eg. You tell her you do photography, she says, oooh, that sounds interesting, you say, well, a girl with your filmstar looks can make a fortune in porn, oh, looksee - here's my camera.......ROFL.... Seriously, for peeps like me this is a BIG stumbling block - and at the moment I NEED models for the work I'm starting on. Other advice I need big-time, is : I'm sure I'm not the only person here who hasn't got a studio or is entirely comfortable with inviting girls back to my place for a photo session..... simply out of the question. There is a studio that rents out, but he seems to think photographers are millionaire playboys, judging by his prices. What's the solution?!? Anyone?!? Oops, sorry Michael, this would take it a bit off-topic. Anyone who has an answer wanna start a new thread so I don't steal the limelight? cheers! (",)

I was going to make the same comment about having models come to you asking to have their picture taken, but then I realized that kind of stuff probably happens alot when you're first name is Magick. hehehe -=>Donald

'There is a studio that rents out, but he seems to think photographers are millionaire playboys, judging by his prices' Well, jordy, you can look at my thread above for tips on getting models, but re the studio, here's what I reckon. First, you have to realise that lights, generators, premises, etc, cost a LOT of money. That's why studio rental is expensive. It always has been, always will be. But apart from that, if your home/apartment/whatever is out of the question, why not shoot on location? I don't know where you live, but even the north pole has great scenery. If you live in the city, use urban scenes. There are always back streets and deserted lots you can use. Shoot everything at f1.4 if necessary and throw it all out of focus. Or take a bus outside the city. Locations galore out there. Sunlight is free and afternoon sunlight is the best light you'll ever get. Hell, half my life has been spent trying to reproduce afternoon sunlight in the studio with flash. LOL. Ask the local cafe/bar/art store if you can shoot on their premises. Offer them a print for the window. What I'm saying is, it can be done with a bit of thought. Look at the magazines and see the locations they use. Sure, some are done in the Bahamas or in Donald Trump's penthouse, but there are plenty of shoots done in grungy old places. I live in milan (although I'm scottish), and believe me, milan is one huge car-lot. But you can always find a location somewhere. If it comes to the worst, you can do tightly-cropped head-shots in the street and show as little background as possible. I can tell you this though. All professional photographers have the same problem and they're so used to it that they can find a good location in a tin can if they have to. This idea that they fly you to exotic locations is true up to a point, but what happens when you go to the carribean and it's monsoon season? (Don't laugh - it DOES happen). You have to do the shoot no matter what and you've only got 3 days. So if you can't step outside because of tornadoes or floods, you just have to do it in the hotel/bar/nearest toilet. That's life. And location finding is a good art to learn. mac

PS Magick. Nice shots. Keep it up. mac

well y'all, I have to tell you that getting models is easy. Getting the models I WANT, that is another story. Making the models I get look like the models I get is where the "Magick" comes in! To give you a serious hint Jordy, I almost always have my wife with me when I ask someone if they want to do a shoot. That takes alot of the threat out of it. As for location, this was a shoot where all I had to work was the master bedroom that our hosts kindly offered up. the only lighting I had was a bedside lamp. The fact that I leave a fairly cheap tripod in my car all the time sure doesn't hurt! It has come in handy many times. If you want to shoot badly enough you will find a way, and a location. Models, just ask everyone. someone will say yes. Magick Michael PS The "Magick" comes in many forms :-)~

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