For the Next 60 minutes I'll answer all your questions on Cameras and PhotoShoots...
 

(Charly and Dean - if you're awake I invite you to participate too)

Thanks for suggesting this topic, pussyluver!

Fire away!

What's the best F-stop for shooting porn?

I usually shoot outside, in someone elses studio or at home with just a camera flash.
Now im thinking about buying some lights to shoot at home.
I want something simple, im not exactly shooting playboy style and something that i can move around the house quickly.
What setup do you suggest.

Btw, i shoot with a d60 as far as it matters.

I don't think there is a "best". But I typically shoot at F16.

Others may disagree, but I think Novatrons are great for entry level shooting.

They have several starter kits here:

http://www.novatron.com/catalog/kits/

(I highly suggest getting an infrared package or radio transmitters so that you're not limited by sync cords)

I've been shooting with 1light & 1 reflector...I've been putting my main light just out of the frame, about 4-5 feet from subject.

My backgrounds, when doing this, are dark as fuck, almost unseeable. To remedy this (so that my background is well lit also) I should move my light farther away from my subject, correct ?

Thanks, i'll check that link out. And yes i will get an infrared transmitter. It works way better.

The Wein Infrared Trigger set is relatively inexpensive:

http://www.eddiebonfigli.com/cheap-infrared.html

When taking meter readings, should I preset my aperature and meter for shutter speed, or preset my shutter speed & meter for aperature ?

Nice, thanks.

It depends on the effect you want to create. If you want the background out of focus f4.5 to f8 depending on the distance model to background.

I usually shoot around f11, littel difference from DP. :)

So what is a good Mini DV video camera for around $1500, not sure if I want to shell out for the Sony PD170.

The background is dark because the amount of light hitting you backdrop is far less than the amount hitting your model. There is a HUGE F-Stop difference.

Moving the light further from the subject will help somewhat, but it would be much better to get another light when you can afford it.

I always shoot at a shutter speed of 125 (used to be 60 but I like 125 better) and have the camera set for an ISO of 200. Then I move the strobes depending on what effect I'm trying to achieve and set the F-Stop based on meter readings.

I've just emailed Brian from http://www.wanton.com inviting him to join in on the discussion. If he's home I hope he contributes. He's THE BEST photographer in the business, in my opinion.

I´ve never tried shooting porn before but I´m a bit curious about it now.

What equipment do you suggest just for trying it and would you hire a professionell model or does the amateur model next door would be a better choice?

For a set of say 100 images.. how many pics do you actually take? When you have a girl in for an hour or two of work, is there a quota that you like to meet for minimum number of shots taken? What percentage of those typically make it into useable material?

I don't really think you can "just try it out", because to do it right you need decent equipment, which is not cheap.

I'd suggest an entry level Digital SLR camera (such as the Nikon D100) and an entry level set of sets (like the Novatrons linked to above).

As for models, just about any model you choose to photograph will interest your surfers if you shoot her right. Fat girls, skinny girls, pretty girls, ugly girls... you name it.

For 100 useable images I'd take at least 150 shots. Some photographers I know get rid of more photos than they keep, so for them the number would be over 200 for 100 useable.

The amount of sets in one to two hours would depend greatly on where we're at and what I'm trying to achieve. For example, I'd be happy with just a few sets if we were outdoors. But if I'm shooting indoors at my studio I can get 7 to 10 sets completed in 2 hours.

Donovan,

What camera do you use?

Lens?

Do you shoot in raw format, or to a jpg.

How much post processing do you typically do?

Thanks!

I have to agree.. but if the $1500 D100 (body only) is a bit out of your range, I'd suggest waiting a month or two for the D70 to come out.. nearly the same camera, some added features, some taken off, and it comes with a decent (I think 30-90) AF Nikkor F lens and everything you need to take pretty decent pictures, for only $1300.

Even if you don't get into producing content, you'll have a great camera.

How much do you pay your models.. for photo, video, solo softcore, blowjob, intercourse... and are you paying per hour of work...?

I totally agree with you, but I think it is difficult to get usable results and it takes a time learning it. So I decided if it is better to learn with cheaper equipment, or are you of the opinion that even learning needs professionell equipment?

I want to buy a minidv digital camcorder for no more than $500
whats the best one for that price?

I don´t ask for the model fees, but I´m curious about if you pay per scene/set or per hour/day.

I have a Nikon D100, D1, D1x and a Fuji S2 Pro. I prefer the Fuji over all the others.


My favorite lens is the Nikkor AF-S 24-85mm 1:3.5-4.5. The new model is SO quiet. I also use a 2.8 constant stop lens but it's pretty bulky.


Since all my content is for the Internet, I shoot on Fine Quality JPEG. But RAW is used occasionally if I'm going to print something as artwork.


That depends. If I've had a good day, not much. But some days you're just not all there, know what I mean? On those days I'll have to spend several hours in Photoshop before I'm happy.


Thanks for asking! :)

I pay them $500 per day for softcore and $1,000 per day for hardcore. But rates are going to vary widely depending on where you live. In LA you'd likely have to pay much higher rates.

I'd have to say you should still get some decent professional equipment. As booker mentioned, the D70 is about to come out with a lens for around $1,300.

The non-SLR cameras are not a whole lot cheaper for a decent camera. And SLR cameras are SO much faster and easier to use.

It's better to learn on decent equipment. For sure.

To add some humour, have you ever had something like what happened to me a few weeks back?

You are shooting a custom, commissioned, project with a very cute model who has some bad butt acne.

I went ahead but had to spend 4 hours in PS! Thank goodness for the healing brush.

:)

That price range definitely restricts you. But if it's miniDV I'd say: anything by Sony. That's just my opinion.

YES!!! I have had this happen. When you mention that, one particular model comes to mind. The girl has a great shape, but her ass is COVERED in acne.

Like you said, thank GOD for the healing brush. :)

I can't help you on that one because I just don't know.

some interesting stuff there . . . shooting is shooting if it's girls or spark plugs or spark plugs in girls . . . same principals. dealing with models and agencies is total science fiction

I used to pay per set. On the advice of better photographers I switched to per day rates. When you know you'll have a model for an entire day it makes you slow down and take your time, producing better content.

This is true, but when you said that moving the light back could still help a little, you were wrong. Moving the light back will greatly decrease the amount of light hitting the background due to the inverse square law.

What you really need to do is get some light on that background. Meaning, if you want a professional looking image, you need to not only set up a light on your model, but also a light on your background. The background should always be treated as a seperate lighting situation.

This is why it's less of a pain in the ass to find a situation where there is enough existing light, like bright daylight. Or, you need to move your model closer to the background, and the light closer to the background... however, this usually isn't desireable due to shadows, and having the background as part of the image.

LOL

I'd have a great time telling stories with you.

If you ever make it to Toronto, the pints are on me!

:drinkup

Welcome!

Folks, this is the MAN. He is the best adult shooter in the business in my opinion!

DonovanPhillips, are you an expert?

There is a reason this would help "a LITTLE" but I didn't feel like taking the time to explain it. That's why I suggested he buy a second light.

Hell no.

The closest person to an "expert" that I know is bmb, who just posted a few minutes ago....

Yes, I think thats right. Another question added: does a camera flashlight work or is another solution required?

I would like to add, if Donovan does not mind.

Depending on what your level of proficiency is with the equipment get a friend to pose for you. Clothed or naked it does not matter, you want to appear, to a paid model, as someone who has a clue about what they're doing. Nothing will upset them faster than a photographer learning how to use his equipment while they're sat there naked.

Flash limits you immensely. Strobes are definitely necessary.

Very true.

Damn, that hour FLEW by!

Photography is technical, pornography is phsycology.

Basically anyone can point a camera at a naked girl and get the exposure close to right. Ending up with a picture of a girl we would fuck. Takes skill and knowledge to make a girl look like she wants to fuck us. That's porno. IMHO

I just thought about it a little bit, but I ´m afraid you are right. it must be a horrible situation for both - the lerning photographer and the model.

However, I do know a guy here in town that pays models $10 per hour to shoot them in swimsuits. He is very upfront with them about his abilities. He tells them he's just beginning to learn, pays them, and also gives them a CD with the images he took.

That may be an option.

Might also be a good idea to see if there's an amateur camera club in your area.

I´ll ask charly teaching me - he lives round about 6-8 hours away from me.:)

what camera will give you the best bang for your buck for shooting porn?