As an artistically motivated photographer, my goal has always been to showcase model subjects in a flattering way that generates viewer interest. It’s the out of the ordinary, extreme and WOW photos that usually drive viewers to your Model Mayhem page, increasing image views, comments and general popularity.
The best way to achieve this from a lens selection standpoint is to toss aside your standard and ‘kit zoom’ lenses and grab some super-wide zooms and telephoto zoom lenses (the more extreme the better). When shooting at an amazing place, or in extremely cramped quarters, a super-wide angle can provide breathtakingly expansive images that will impress your viewers, while showcasing the beauty of your location.
These four wide-angle shots were taken on a cruise boat photo shoot with the Nikon 10-24 ED Zoom, the 12-24 F.4 and the Nikon 16-35 ED-VR Zoom.
Photographer: Select Models; Model: Shodire
Photographer: Select Models; Model: Jin N Tonic
Photographer: Select Models; Model: Roxanne
Photographer: Select Models; Model: Chloe
If you don’t have the luxury of a great location, try shooting subjects with a telephoto lens at a close to wide open aperture setting. This will toss your less than pleasing background far out of focus and display your subject in a pleasantly pastel environment. Telephoto zoom lenses can provide a shallow depth of field, especially when your shooting close to wide open aperture, where there’s substantial distance between your subject and background.
These telephoto images where shot with Nikon lenses; the 85MM F1.4, 55-300 ED-VR (for APS-C), the 70-200 ED-VR NanoCoat F2.8, 70-300 ED-VR and 80-400 ED-VR.
Photographer: Select Models; Model: Michele
Photographer: Select Models; Model: Roxy
Photographer: Select Models; Model: Kristy
Photographer: Select Models; Model: Jessica
Do you have experience in using these shooting methods? If so, additional feedback is always welcome and appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I wish you all continued success on Model Mayhem.