description
Part two follows Grant Legan onto a fashion shoot beside a set of train tracks. The tracks become leading lines and the dilapidated billboards behind them set the mood, because the model is the subject but the background still has a job to do. A scouting trip under a cloudless sky turned into a heavily overcast shooting day, which is what experience in varied light is for, and a model who could not sit still turned out to be an advantage.
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Behind the Scenes: Grant Legan Fashion Shoot
You had a chance to meet Grant a couple days ago during our interview with him. Now come behind the scenes as we follow him on a fashion shoot.
Using Lines and Your Surroundings
During a fashion shoot your model is definitely your primary focus, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore your background. Grant uses the surrounding train tracks as leading lines to help direct the eye, and other elements such as dilapidated billboards to accentuate the mood he is going for.
Adapting to Different Conditions
Sometimes, very often, things do not go as planned. During our scouting trip to this location there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Our shooting day, however, was very heavily overcast. The best way to overcome challenges is through experience. If you have experience under many lighting conditions, you can easily adapt to what’s in front of you.
Having a High Movement Model
Movement is the key to variety, and having a model who can’t sit still is actually a good thing. Diego was constantly moving his hands, head and body, and needed just a little direction to help pose those movements. If your model is a little stiff, get them to dance, shake it out, pretend to be a mime or anything else you can think of to get them moving.
See more of Grant’s work in his portfolio.
The Rest of the Feature
- Part 1: Meeting Grant Legan
- Part 2: Behind the scenes on a fashion shoot (this page)
- Part 3: Back at the studio
Quick Reference: Settings and Tips
- LocationA gritty spot that could be anywhere; train tracks as leading lines, old billboards for mood
- WeatherScouted in golden-hour sun, shot under heavy overcast; change your plan to fit the light
- DirectionSmall cues: hands under the jaw, neck back, eyes to camera, shoulder into the fence
- BreathDeep breath in, then look straight up while blowing it out
- Stiff modelDance, shake it out, play a mime
- StylingDark and grungy, lots of black and white so it works as a black-and-white photo
Grant Legan on Location: Common Questions
Why did Grant pick this location?
It doesn’t look like Chicago; it could be anywhere. He likes grungy places where things don’t quite make sense, with random trees, lines running off into the distance and a gross old billboard.
How do you use the background in a fashion shoot?
The model comes first, but the background still matters. Grant uses the train tracks as leading lines to guide the eye and the run-down billboards to add to the mood.
What if the weather is different on shoot day?
On the scouting trip it was sunny at golden hour; on the day it was completely overcast. Grant changed his mindset and used the flat light differently. Experience in many kinds of light is what lets you adapt.
Why is a model who moves a lot a good thing?
Movement gives you variety. Diego kept changing his hands, face and body, so every frame was different, and Grant only needed to give a little direction.
What kind of direction does Grant give?
Small, specific cues: sit cross-legged, bring both hands up under the jaw, push the neck back and look straight at the camera, lean a shoulder into the fence, dig a heel into the ground.
How can breathing help a pose?
Grant asks for a really deep breath, then has the model look straight up as he blows it out. It’s one of the cues he gives between frames to change the pose.
What if my model is stiff?
Get them moving: have them dance, shake it out, pretend to be a mime, anything that loosens them up.
How was this shoot styled?
Dark and grungy, like new-age punk rock or an army look, with lots of black and white so the photos translate well to black and white. Diego brought some of his own clothes.
Should the model have input on poses?
Grant thinks so. He enjoys combining what the model knows looks good with what he knows looks good; the pictures come out of that collaboration.
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