FAQ

Is it difficult for a model? ^^^

It’s more complicated than ordinary clicks, but after a while everyone has adapted. So there is a high probability that you will too.

Some models do different exercises during the photo shoot, it is good to take into account that for the success of the photo it may be necessary to hold still for a few tens of seconds in the same position. Even with some movement it is possible to work with a little luck and skill, but the possibilities are limited.

What do I need to take with me? ^^^

The short answer would be nothing. You certainly don’t need a bag full of clothes, clothes usually spoil photos lit by a laser (see question about nudity). It is sometimes possible to use some accessories, but not all and not always. It is probably best to consult with me specifically. Dark things will be seen better against a lighter background.

How does it take place? ^^^

That’s a vague question, but I get it a lot, so I’ll give a similarly vague answer, that’s usually enough.

Before the photo shoot, we can fill out a questionnaire of frequent questions that I have.

So roughly in this order: we’ll make organize, you’ll arrive, I’ll welcome you, I’ll explain stuff, I’ll show you, I’ll read the contract, we’ll sign (it can be at the end), we’ll take pictures, we’ll see them, we’ll take more pictures…, we’ll take pictures, we can quickly choose a few favorites, we’ll settle financially if needed, we’ll say goodbye, a little later I’ll pick photos, finish, send.. Subsequently, it’s possible to iterate from “we’ll organize”, or then omit less useful parts such as “I’ll explain, demonstrate, read the contract, sign”..

During the photo shoot, the photos are displayed on the monitor after each shot, so you can see what went wrong and fix it right away.

Do you have a specific idea about the photo shoot? ^^^

Rather, I improvise according to the circumstances, what someone likes, what is close to someone. At the same time, I usually have several latent ideas that I will occasionally try to incorporate. Anyway, to begin with I do the same for everyone, we usually start with a few simple poses that are fairly stable and illustrate well how the individual photo is progressing. I have questionnaire.

I haven’t seen anything alike. How is it done? ^^^

Usually this question refers either to laser lighting only (from those who have already seen lightpainting) or to lightpainting as well. Less often for 3D photos. Everything is relatively rare, but something is rarer. Both 3D and lightpainting are done by a low percentage of photographers around the world, but you can find it. Shining a laser on a skin isn’t done by so many people anymore. I’ve found dozens that have tried it, but I wouldn’t see them doing it again. It’s not easy, maybe that’s why..

There are here extra questions/answers for each of these specific topics.

How about nudity? ^^^

If we light with a laser, then the question about the laser is more related to this. Since I most often shine with a laser, then nudity is most often recommended.

However, this does not mean that everything must be visible immediately. Different parts of the body can be covered in several ways, such as other parts of the body, darkness, turning away from the camera..

It can even be agreed that the photos covered up in this way are the only ones allowed, and it can be in the contract, where the model can then validate whether the selection and adjustments are appropriate, thus guaranteeing the correct result.

I don’t feel pretty enough, does that bother you? ^^^

The difference between photos and reality is, among other things, that reality is still there from all sides. A suitable pose is chosen for the photos, and then the best ones are chosen from the photos. So in the end in the photos there is a chance that it will simply be better.

What do you do with the photos then? ^^^

Mostly nothing at all.

Currently from time to time (for the last few years, so twice a year) I add a post to instagram.

I would like to organize some other exhibitions, but I don’t feel like organizing it.

I also wouldn’t mind selling some photos like NFT, but I’m not in the mood to look for buyers, some NFTs exist already.

I like to watch the photos sometimes with friends in 3D using VR glasses. Otherwise, they are sitting on my disk and are backed up.

There are also systems where a person has their photos and people can buy them printed on anything. Printing and delivery are provided by those systems. I’m not in the mood for that much either, however, I have tried to upload a few pics there.

We will see in time, maybe they will be sold at outrageous prices and the children will be over the moon.

How are 3D photos created? ^^^

In short, 3D photos are taken with at least two cameras, then the photos are fitted together to be usable as 3D. Just as we have two eyes and each eye sees a slightly different image, the brain subsequently interprets it as a spatial image, so two cameras take a photo of each slightly different image, when each eye receives its own photo, the brain takes it over again in its own way. This can be achieved using VR glasses.

What is lightpainting? ^^^

It is literally painting with light. It is necessary to be dark enough so that, after a reasonably long exposure, so that nothing appears from the present light that would be annoying. In this darkness, using different light sources in the camera frame, the photographer creates, usually by hand, the resulting image. It can shine either from the source directly into the camera, or by reflection through something (e.g. a model). During the exposure time (seconds to minutes), the camera gradually collects the light that reaches it and, after closing the shutter, delivers an almost finished photo.

Laser lighting, what? ^^^

I figured it out because the trace from the flashlight was too thick. I wanted a thinner one so I bought a laser pointer. I was satisfied with it right from the beginning.

Laser, however, has its own specifics compared to more common light sources.

It is necessary to pay attention to safety. If a single direct beam is used, then the person on whom it shines should close their eyes. If the beam is divided into more than one, this is not necessary.

It reflects poorly on darker hair. Such hair should be bound in a smaller space to cover as little skin as possible. A rubber band is enough for a ponytail or a bun, for example.

The textile reflects the light unevenly, I do not recommend it for photos. I’d say it spoils them. Also, transitions between leather and textile interrupt otherwise perfect lines, which then don’t look nearly as good.

Is it heavily edited? ^^^

Right the other way. I am only minutes away from the completed photos selection to the finished photos. I only adjust darkness, lightness, color (preferably black and white with a light touch of some color), noise removal, cropping and rotation correction.

Where would the photos be taken? ^^^

I currently have a studio in Uhříněves, Prague. Since the photography is specific, I don’t even think about visiting other studios.

You can get here by bus to “Nové Náměstí”, by train to “Praha-Uhříněves” and by car you can park between the ‘norma’ and the house.

If you book through the booking system, there is the location of Nove Namesti, that is quite approximately correct, but I better not forget to tell you about the address of the entry.

How long would it take? ^^^

The length of the photo shoot is typically subject to the model’s choice in the form. The optimal time is around two hours. During the first hour, the model initially gets used to the procedure, so everything is not as easy as later. A successful photo also requires some cooperation from the model – usually not moving for several seconds. At the same time, the handing over of instructions and other things around will take a while. For some it goes faster, and for others it goes slower.

An hour of photography is enough for a few photos, but it’s a little more stressful.

After two hours, fatigue gradually begins to play a role. However, I can’t say that some of the best photos weren’t created in the third hour. If you have an inkling that it might be more difficult for you, then 2h is the ideal choice for you.

If you think it will work itself out, then your ideas also matter. If there are a lot of them, then 3 hours will not be a problem.

How many pictures will be taken? ^^^

The price list is calculated with about five photos per hour. It’s a relatively conservative estimate. There are usually more good photos. Sometimes a lot, and it’s hard to choose just the five. One way to do this is to first select and pre-edit the better ones, and then you choose among the thumbnails, the five that I will complete. It’s also a good procedure to take a few minutes after taking a photo and choose your favorites at first glance from the thumbnails (on the screen they are about the size of a mobile phone). Usually, right after the photo shoot, you know whether they turned out well. We can also enlarge them. Some of them may have problems visible only after zooming in.

Can I have a companion with me? ^^^

As for “watching over”, I think it is relevant only in the case of an underage model. If you are still unsure and need someone with you, consider the option “Can there be more of us?”

In general, it seems to me that a person who came just to watch will get first-hand information about how I take photos that basically no one else in the world does. I do not offer courses yet. I’ll wait a few more years.

When will I receive the photos? ^^^

There is a promise in the contract, within two weeks. I usually catch up within two days. Most often there are some photos even within the first minutes after the photo shoot.

I usually send photos via the web where I upload them and send you the randomly generated address. The address will expire in three weeks from the last upload. Until then, the photos can be downloaded or viewed as an album (with a smaller size). Once downloaded, the bin can also be deleted.

Can I pose for some photos too? ^^^

I don’t know. Possibly. Let’s make an agreement. Photography is a creative process, and this is not possible under all circumstances. In any case, Czech laws state that the consent of the person in the photograph is definitely required for photography, and if they are not of age, then the consent (signature) of their legal representative is required.

I’m also not used to photographing men alone, I can’t imagine it yet. Maybe it would help if he had a woman with him for the photos.

Can there be more of us? ^^^

In the studio (until the planned reconstruction), 1-4 people can be arranged on the photo-background, but not arbitrarily. More people could arrive and take pictures in smaller groups. We can talk about it. As for the supplied number of photos and prices, it’s probably better to have fun too. I would base it on the price list, with the fact that the time, number of photos and the price are not multiplied by the number of people, but in order to reach everyone, more time and photos would be needed.. We will definitely agree on something suitable.

If you agreed on a discount without my knowledge of the number of people, let’s negotiate again.

It is possible that from later in 2024, there will be room for more people.

How should I prepare? ^^^

There is no need for extra make-up or styling for normal laser photography.

When using the laser light, no details can be seen in the face, so makeup is not necessary. Preparation of the hair depends on the fact that dark hair in the photo looks more like noise, see laser lighting… I recommend reducing it somehow (rubber band, braids, bun,…) There are also situations where even lighter hair would be better reduced with a rubber band .

Can I get a discount? ^^^

If we agree on it. It depends on several factors. In any case, it is not my duty to give discounts to anyone who thinks they are entitled to them for some reason. However, if I come to the opinion that such photography would be interesting for me for some reason, then I would not see a problem with it. I could also give a discount for repeated photo shoots.

How did you get into photography? ^^^

It is worth mentioning that as a child I used to take pictures of landscapes with my father. Then nothing for a long time. It wasn’t until the end of university, when on a vacation trip to New Zealand, that I discovered that I really enjoyed taking pictures.

Not long after that, I bought a SLR camera on a work trip in the USA, with which I later took long exposure photos of houses in Paris on the way home from work.

During 2007-2008, I gradually switched to lightpainting. In 2011, I used a laser for the first time. I bought it in an attempt to narrow the light footprint compared to the flashlight.

What is TFP? ^^^

It is a form of photography without payment. The abbreviation was originally Time For Prints, but it can also be understood as a digital version of Time for Photos.. I used to take pictures that way more often. Currently less.

How do I ask something else? ^^^

Contact me.