Photographing a Model In Motion

Get your photography moving with this in-depth workshop.

There is a lot to consider when photographing models in motion, particularly jumping shots. To safely capture these images, you need to consider your flash speed, where to pre-focus, how high the model will be jumping, their fitness levels, movement techniques, their shoes, and how you can create a safe environment for them to work in.

In this live show, Karl explains how to photograph moving subjects, going into more detail about each of these points before demonstrating how to safely capture a jumping shot of a model. You’ll see how he uses just a single light setup, comparing results from umbrellas, softboxes and P70 reflectors, as well as how to add additional lights such as background lights and edge lighting.

Karl also covers the concept of flash duration, what duration is required for freezing these moving subjects, background choices and considerations, and what focus mode is best to use.

In this class:

  • How to photograph moving subjects
  • Flash duration considerations for models in motion
  • Aperture choice for the correct depth of field
  • Best modifiers for full-length fashion shots
  • Differences between softboxes, umbrellas and reflectors
  • Basic modifiers and DIY modifiers for fashion photography
  • Background choice and background lighting options
Other classes you might enjoy include:

Questions? Please post them in the comments section below.

Comments

  1. Hi Karl. Wow – I found this so helpful. The most useful piece of information for me was the part about the second hard light on the clothing (with the medium grid). I’ve been trying to find a way to “ground” my subject with a harder shadow but was having such a hard time figuring out how to do this while also having a well-lit background. This technique is definitely used a lot in fashion and I wasn’t quite sure how they achieved it until now. Thanks so much. Shanyn

  2. The solar cooker is intriguing. Would the flooter not do a very similar thing from that distance in full spot? What would be the big difference of the two?

  3. Currently watching the “Photographing a Model In Motion video, and was curious as to what type of white backdrop paper are you using? I noticed the model isn’t slippng when she lands. The paper backdrop I have is thin and slippery. What are the dimmension of the back drop?

  4. hello karl,
    i am little bit about the softness of the umbrella u used
    what i know that umbrella with the same size of the octabox u used before it should be harder not softer bec its the same size and dont have diffuser in front of it so it should be more harder and spot than the octabox
    bec the octabox got a diffuser in front of it
    or just all of this happens bec of the white reflector inside the umbrella

    1. Hi Amr, softness comes from size of the light source and it’s homogenous characteristics. A well designed softbox should be homogenous at it’s surface exterior and then if it is the softness of the light will be then only based on the size of the surface of the light. A very large white umbrella may be bigger than the softbox and almost as homogenous depending on it’s diffusion properties, if that umberella is as big or bigger and diffuses as well then it will be equally as soft.

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