erl Posted August 10, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 10, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Many would say the M8 is not ideal for studio fashion photography. But then nothing is really ideal for anything. Recently, I did a shoot of fashion fabrics to help my younger daughter out who sells fabrics and designs and makes bridal gowns to order. Her work for a retail store includes designing and preparing mannequins for display. The project in question required a series of fifteen+ images for use in a website. Sally (my daughter) prepared the mannequins using only uncut bolts of fabric to simulate garments of various description. My task was to photograph them, in a storeroom that was stuffed full of whatever, a space you could not swing a cat in! Well, my view is, "if it ain't difficult, why would they call me?" After all, the office girl has a digicam and a computer, so obviously she can call herself a 'photographer' and muck the shoot up as well as anyone. True! That's why I call myself a troubleshooter rather than a photographer. Anyway, if anyone is interested in seeing how the M8 performs as an impromptu shooter in an impromptu studio, have a look here. Stitches to Style : Haute Couture fabrics from Europes leading textile house : Melbourne | Australia All pics shot with M8 + 75mm Summicron or 28mm Elmarit. The reason I used the M8 is because it is my only real digital camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 10, 2009 Posted August 10, 2009 Hi erl, Take a look here M8 used for studio fashion shoot. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted August 10, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 10, 2009 Well, you must have had something more than the SF24D with you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted August 10, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 10, 2009 There are some really nice shots Erl, but that front page flash thing they're presented through is about the most annoying thing I've seen on a web page. The image strip below the presenting window drives me nuts. It got a lot better when I clicked on "gallery" on the menu. That said best of luck to your daughter in selling her wares. - Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikenic Posted August 10, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 10, 2009 Well shot Erl. Serves to remind me; it's the photographer's skill that's most important, ideal camera or not. Quite a talented family you have there indeed. Regards Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 10, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 10, 2009 There are some really nice shots Erl, but that front page flash thing they're presented through is about the most annoying thing I've seen on a web page. The image strip below the presenting window drives me nuts. It got a lot better when I clicked on "gallery" on the menu. That said best of luck to your daughter in selling her wares. - Carl I agree with that, Carl. I had the same kind of thing on my website and it earned me nothing but negative comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted August 10, 2009 I agree with Jaap and Carl about the 'wobbly train' running underneath the main pic. Sally also made a similar remark. I will give her the feedback to pass onto the web designer. Thanks for the comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted August 10, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well, you must have had something more than the SF24D with you Actually Jaap, Had something considerably older than the SF24D with which to shoot. I was using my old 'studio' kit of very ageing Elinchrom & Courtnay flash heads (guestimate, 35 years+ ) and some old backdrop stands at least 40+ years old. Real antique stuff. But so am I , I guess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted August 10, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 10, 2009 Erl, excellent pictures. Did you take some portable studio lights with you? I like to use ambient lighting where possible, but I doubt warehouse lighting would be so conveniently located to reveal the fabric texture. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted August 10, 2009 David, I usually prefer available too, but this work definitely demanded 'controlled' light so I employed my very old portable studio stuff, as seen in the accompanying pic. It was a bit like getting on a bike after many years of driving a car. Just throw your leg over and away you go, as if you had never stopped. This pic taken with M8 + CV15mm. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/93027-m8-used-for-studio-fashion-shoot/?do=findComment&comment=989098'>More sharing options...
wda Posted August 10, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 10, 2009 David, I usually prefer available too, but this work definitely demanded 'controlled' light so I employed my very old portable studio stuff, as seen in the accompanying pic. It was a bit like getting on a bike after many years of driving a car. Just throw your leg over and away you go, as if you had never stopped. This pic taken with M8 + CV15mm. Erl, thank you. An excellent answer and a very practical solution. Your report is further evidence of the professional quality available from the M8 when correctly operated. You also have a very talented daughter, judging from the evidence on her website and the lovely fabrics she uses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted August 10, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 10, 2009 Many would say the M8 is not ideal for studio fashion photography I'm not sure who says that but I'm not sure what your shots prove either. Without live models, you could have used a pinhole camera and got decent results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted August 10, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 10, 2009 I'm not surprised. I've used the M8 for fine art reproductions with excellent results. Of course your skill is also a factor here. The right tool in the right hands. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo_Lorentzen Posted August 10, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 10, 2009 Nicely done.. Sure the M8 did great, but I agree with Ian. Besides creation of the images here is clearly the art of the photographer, judging from the results, my guess is you could have done that with a old Nikon D1 for web-use. no insult to the D1, but it was a crude camera, yet it paid my rent for a long time. Clearly the quality of the sensor and lenses from Leica does not hurt the result. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted August 10, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 10, 2009 It's important to remember that the critical difference between the M8 and an SLR is ABOVE the waistline (i.e., the viewfinder, not the sensor). I actively prefer RFs to any SLR for studio work - fast and light to move around with (I use tripods rarely), and the RF lets me see not only IF the strobes went off, but the moment they captured. About the only downside is parallax when shooting really close - which just takes a little practice. My work: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/81701-m8-studio.html Someone else's work: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/92863-m8-studio-work.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted August 10, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 10, 2009 IMO that's first-rate work! (Along with others, however, I hope you'll advise your daughter about the annoying aspects of the website - her work is as good as yours, & both deserve a better display.) Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 10, 2009 Author Share #16 Posted August 10, 2009 I'm not sure who says that but I'm not sure what your shots prove either. Without live models, you could have used a pinhole camera and got decent results. Wattsy, I admire your talent to be able to achieve high definition images using a pinhole camera. I have tried it and failed, but that is just me. I also found the pinhole viewfinder worse than the M8 to the point of being useless.. What my shots were intended to prove is that what I did, can be done. As I said, some have derided the M8 as not a suitable studio camera. This has nothing to do with models. However my work in other areas extensively illustrates its suitability for working with live models if you are interested. To the other commentators, your views are appreciated and have been passed to Sally and the web designer. I suspect the desired change to the 'wobbly train' of images may not be effected as Sally and I do not make those decisions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted August 11, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 11, 2009 As I said, some have derided the M8 as not a suitable studio camera. Who? This has nothing to do with models. You described it as a fashion shoot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted August 11, 2009 Who? Do a search of the fora; this and others. Detractors are not hard to find. You described it as a fashion shoot. Not exactly so. My description was 'studio fashion shoot'. What would you have called it? Note that my emphasis was on the use of the camera under 'studio' conditions. In fact the subject of the image is irrelevant from the technical aspect of the discussion. I chose to call it 'fashion', mainly because the paying client called it that. Who are you or I to argue with that? My undrstanding is that 'fashion' is what is worn. 'Models' are only one way of displaying those fashions. Forgive me for interpreting your demeanour, especially if I am wrong, but you come across as having a chip on your shoulder about something. Care to enlighten me, one way or another? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted August 11, 2009 Share #19 Posted August 11, 2009 but you come across as having a chip on your shoulder about something. Care to enlighten me, one way or another? Come off it Erl. I just questioned what the point of the thread was seeing as any camera capable of triggering a strobe can be used to shoot a still life in a studio. I don't think anyone has ever suggested the M8 couldn't be used in such circumstances. (Incidentally, your rather unnecessarily rude post reminds me of the old saying about how to recognise a well balanced Australian - he's the one with a chip on both shoulders.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted August 11, 2009 Share #20 Posted August 11, 2009 Actually Jaap, Had something considerably older than the SF24D with which to shoot. I was using my old 'studio' kit of very ageing Elinchrom & Courtnay flash heads (guestimate, 35 years+ ) and some old backdrop stands at least 40+ years old. Real antique stuff. But so am I , I guess. There's no such thing as an ageing Elinchrom. They last forever. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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