Mannequins: At the risk of getting some strange responses, has anyone used a mannequin to practice portrait photography? I am thinking of getting either the head and shoulders or even...

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

At the risk of getting some strange responses, has anyone used a mannequin to practice portrait photography? I am thinking of getting either the head and shoulders or even the full body to practice lighting techniques. I did a search on Ebay and have seen them at reasonable prices. Thoughts?

rebride

Sounds like a great idea. People have used just an egg for learning about lighting, but it doesn't have a nose.
Make sure you get some wigs, too. Blond and brunette at minimum.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

I think it's a GREAT idea, CResQ! Even if you have a willing friend or relative, you tend to feel rushed and don't properly study each element of your work. Given a few beers, most mannequins will sit there for days without a whimper. :lol: :lol:

1eyedjack

You can also go to a MALL and practice on a stores' mannequin..
Practice on anything in any light..

No Movement, Easy Shot
No Movement, Easy Shot...

Practice, Practice
Practice, Practice...

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

try looking at a blown up doll

CResQ wrote:

At the risk of getting some strange responses, has anyone used a mannequin to practice portrait photography? I am thinking of getting either the head and shoulders or even the full body to practice lighting techniques. I did a search on Ebay and have seen them at reasonable prices. Thoughts?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

CResQ wrote:

At the risk of getting some strange responses, has anyone used a mannequin to practice portrait photography? I am thinking of getting either the head and shoulders or even the full body to practice lighting techniques. I did a search on Ebay and have seen them at reasonable prices. Thoughts?

The studio I shot in has Stella. She is barbie doll like and gets a good workout every day. Only problem is she is taller than most of us !!
We may need to cut her off at the ankles.

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

Thanks very much for all of your positive feedback on this. It felt a little weird asking such a question but to me it seems like the perfect solution and now I am convinced. Thank you.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

CResQ wrote:

Thanks very much for all of your positive feedback on this. It felt a little weird asking such a question but to me it seems like the perfect solution and now I am convinced. Thank you.

CR, go to any beauty supply or cosmetology store/school and get a head. They are life size and life like, but will need a wig. That's what all the colleges do. Good luck with your new head.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

SharpShooter wrote:

CResQ wrote:

Thanks very much for all of your positive feedback on this. It felt a little weird asking such a question but to me it seems like the perfect solution and now I am convinced. Thank you.

CR, go to any beauty supply or cosmetology store/school and get a head.

I used to try to get ahead, now I just try to keep up.

;-) ;-)

macro2009 Loc: Cheshire United Kingdom

CResQ wrote:

At the risk of getting some strange responses, has anyone used a mannequin to practice portrait photography? I am thinking of getting either the head and shoulders or even the full body to practice lighting techniques. I did a search on Ebay and have seen them at reasonable prices. Thoughts?

Following examples taken in Italy not good IQ (wife trouble!).

Mannequins No1

Mannequins No2

Mannequins No3
Mannequins No3...

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I've used a Halloween head and will again. Was playing with flash

Kel411 Loc: Arizona

I think it is a great idea!! As a hairstylist one halloween we played with our mannequins and made them up for the occasion. I played around a little bit with them and took some pics for practice. Not the best pics came out, but I feel like it was a learning experience. Have fun!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

CResQ wrote:

At the risk of getting some strange responses, has anyone used a mannequin to practice portrait photography? I am thinking of getting either the head and shoulders or even the full body to practice lighting techniques. I did a search on Ebay and have seen them at reasonable prices. Thoughts?

That's a great idea. Just don't use them as passengers so you can ride in the "Special Lane." :D

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

CResQ wrote:

At the risk of getting some strange responses, has anyone used a mannequin to practice portrait photography? I am thinking of getting either the head and shoulders or even the full body to practice lighting techniques. I did a search on Ebay and have seen them at reasonable prices. Thoughts?

If you have a cosmotology/hair school in your area or wig shop, check with them. Sometimes they will have old ones they want to get rid of or just give away. I had a friend whose wife worked in one of these schools and he gave me two heads, one white, one black. I used it to practice my head shots with flash. It worked pretty good AND on halloween you can do some neat stuff with them. LOL!

JayJay Loc: Eastern Washington State

CResQ wrote:

At the risk of getting some strange responses, has anyone used a mannequin to practice portrait photography? I am thinking of getting either the head and shoulders or even the full body to practice lighting techniques. I did a search on Ebay and have seen them at reasonable prices. Thoughts?

Thirty years ago I took a course from NYI (New York Institute of Photography) and they furnished a full-sized Styrafoam head as free accessory. In those days, Falls (like partial wigs) were popular with the young girls . I borrowed my daughter's, put it on the prop, shot away and gained experience with that combo