Needing advice on taking a picture of a hand (hand model involved)

[andylo]

Hi all,

I am probably will be responsible to work with a hand model and take a picture of her hand (both hand) AND most likely, is washing her hand... I believe the pic would be something to do with promoting benefit of washing hand.

Can anyone with experience provide some guidance?

I will be using a 1DMkIII with a 580EXII and 24-70L. I have a remote trigger for flash if off hot shoe speedlight is required. I will also use a tripod. I also have other lens (wide angle to telephoto) if they have been proven more suitable.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[kiwi]

not enough information

have you total control over the environment ? studio, onsite ?

Id say a 50m or thereabouts, to wide and you'll get distortion. Nice even diffused light with a clean background

[Big Pix]

it will all be in the lighting....... a large soft box, reflector and key light......

[andylo]

Re more information.

It WON'T be a studio. Probably just the washroom of the office. We have about an hour and couple of people will help me, so I guess you can say I have total control of the environment

50M you mean 50mm with the lens? or you mean literally take the pic from 50Meter away?

Don't think I will have access to large softbox or etc.

[kiwi]

anydy seriously, if you dont know what I mean by 50m (and yes I should have said 50mm lens), then seriously are you sure you want to be taking this job on ?

[andylo]

Why not, I am not getting any $$ out of it anyway :p I am just helping another unit under the same department.

I just like to acquire the experience.

But if you have said 50mm I would not ask that question. And I know that using any wide angle focal length will create distortion - and unless one is very talented and creative (and able to use distortion as advantage), usually will try to avoid it like a plague.

[kiwi]

Fair enough then :)

[41jas]

haha kiwi, next time say mm not m...ha

If I can suggest take a few from all angles don't just think you are at the right angle. Move around and try everything. I'd be interested in the final shot.:)

[Art Vandelay]

Maybe get a willing helper at home and practice first. That way your prepared.

[andylo]

thanks. How about shutter speed? Should I go for a high speed with crystal sharp water drop? Or a slower speed (and ask the hand model not to move) to create a "water stream" sort of feeling?

[andylo]

Art :) That was my plan and project tonight :)

[Lani]

thanks. How about shutter speed? Should I go for a high speed with crystal sharp water drop? Or a slower speed (and ask the hand model not to move) to create a "water stream" sort of feeling?

Why not try both, but as has been suggested, practice at home first. :)

[41jas]

It's hard not knowing what you are walking in to but try everything. After you get what you are after you will know.

[James T]

thanks. How about shutter speed? Should I go for a high speed with crystal sharp water drop? Or a slower speed (and ask the hand model not to move) to create a "water stream" sort of feeling?

Do both, it takes a few seconds to change settings for different shots. Have the model move their hands in a long exposure, have them keep still, use flash, don't use flash, use long exposures and flash. Shoot close ups of the hands, shoot wider with part / all of the model's body included, shoot smiling faces. Just make sure you clean the basin / taps before the shoot.

I'm guessing this isn't a very important job in the grand scheme of things, and they're going to be pretty happy with whatever you give them. So don't over think what is a fairly simple shoot. :th3:

[Art Vandelay]

If you're using flash you'll struggle to blur the water.

Maybe try a different light source if you want that effect.

[SnowA]

A CPL thread popped up the other day - one thing mentioned was the use of one to cut down unwanted reflections. You may want to try a few shots with one on close-ups with the taps in frame?

[andylo]

Ah.. CPL!!! Good idea! Why have I not thought of that!! Thanks SnowA.

(Now, where can I get a CPL for ZPro holder quick smart :p)

[andylo]

Yes Art, agree with you. Flash will only good for freezing it, not blur it.

Probably would give the HSS a trial and see how it goes :)

[kiwi]

The biggest problem likely will be the actual subjects cuticles, they really need to be perfect or you'll be doing lots of Photoshop

[andylo]

I don't have to worry about the Photoshop bit. I am not the only "enthusiast" there. One of the "team member" is a PS advocate. So he will take care of it.

[Art Vandelay]

Well chop chop. Looking forward to see the practice shots. :D

[ricktas]

I would agree, get the hand model to visit a manicurist a couple of times before the shoot and again on the day. Hand shots to be done perfectly, need to skill of someone who can make sure the nails, cuticles etc are perfect. Every little flaw will stand out like dogs whatsits, when the hands are the sole focus of the shot

[James T]

A CPL thread popped up the other day - one thing mentioned was the use of one to cut down unwanted reflections. You may want to try a few shots with one on close-ups with the taps in frame?

Polarising filtres cut down reflections from non-metallic surfaces. So you could use it to make the water look flat, probably not something you want. But it most likely would have little effect on the taps.

[SnowA]

That's interesting JamesT - I didn't think metallic or non-metallic surfaces made a difference to the way a polariser worked, but I'm no scientist.

I was under the impression that some togs used a CPL to get rid of reflections on shooting car bodies, but I could be mistaken.

[ricktas]

That's interesting JamesT - I didn't think metallic or non-metallic surfaces made a difference to the way a polariser worked, but I'm no scientist.

I was under the impression that some togs used a CPL to get rid of reflections on shooting car bodies, but I could be mistaken.

Umm, yes, it gets rid of reflections, metallic taps and water produce reflections :D

[SnowA]

Yes, that's a good point about the water.

It was JamesT's comment about a CPL only working on reflections from a non-metallic surface (ie. not the taps) that puzzled me.

[Keith]

On the different angles you can use, have a quick look at google images and see the type of variety there are. You may not want all shots looking down into the sink, could try looking across the sink into a blue background, so grab a large peice of cardboard and practice with that too.

[andylo]

Thanks guys :) Really appreciate for all the brain storming :)

(Now I have no excuse for 1) taking a crap shot 2) not posting it here :lol:)

[James T]

A polarising filter works with polarised light (funnily enough). Light reflected from a metallic surface is not polarised. Glass, water, skin, vegetation, etc. you're good to go though. :th3:

[ricstew]

Can I also point out........have a look at what you are using behind the hand/s.....what is the background? Dont use the bathroom with the grubby walls or daggy posters about handwashing! Try to have a nice clean empty space so the hands are the focus.
cheers
Jan

[andylo]

As promised - this is the end result :)

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?p=689023#post689023