Question for Photographers

[Fred588]

This is a question I'd like to direct to experienced photographers, especially those who have done glamour work at what they would consider a professional level.
On my grounds here there are at least three good-sized boulders (rock outcrops might be a better description) that should be suitable for a model to sit or stand on. These are each from 18 inches to about 28 inches high and from 8 to 12 feet long and have top surfaces nicely decorated with moss. There is a good natural background behind two of them and the third might have a clear background when the foliage is fully out. My question is really a request for suggestions regarding supplemental props to prepare. I think any living plant props will have to be in pots that can be moved into place when desired because if they are left on the rocks the deer will eat them.

In addition, I have constructed what I call a posing platform, consisting of a trailer with an 8 by 8 plywood deck with a carpeted surface, and a support for a green or other background screen. Because this is on a trailer it can be easily moved so as to adjust to the sun. My question here is the same as for the rocks.

None of the above has anything to do with quicksand, nor will they be used by me, so I am looking for prop ideas of a general nature.

[schlamm]

Contrasts are desirable, with that in mind think dark, non-reflective colors and material for the background as it makes it easier to attain good lighting on the subject of the photo without requiring a flash equivalent to a lightning bolt.
As for material, I've used velvet of various colors suspended on a wire between two ladders for remote shoots with good results...just make 100% certain you are metering off of the brightest feature on the subject you are focusing on and not the background (spot metering selected in the DSLR menu)

[Fred588]

Contrasts are desirable, with that in mind think dark, non-reflective colors and material for the background as it makes it easier to attain good lighting on the subject of the photo without requiring a flash equivalent to a lightning bolt.
As for material, I've used velvet of various colors suspended on a wire between two ladders for remote shoots with good results...just make 100% certain you are metering off of the brightest feature on the subject you are focusing on and not the background (spot metering selected in the DSLR menu)

Clearly good advice, which I will share, if asked, with whomever photographers chose to use these sets. The posing platform has a support for a background screen but the photographer will be expected to supply the screen itself. The support can also be taken down and the platform positioned so as to use the surrounding forest, which will then probably be at a distance such as to be blurred. There are no supports behind any of the three rocks although portable things could be brought in. At those locations the natural background forest objects tend to be closer and one rock even has a small tree whose trunk would be in the foreground (and there is a small, artificial pond in front of that.

I probably should have mentioned there is also an intermittent pond that could be used as a set. It has some clear space on either side for a model to occupy but the pond varies in depth from nearly four feet to dry according to rainfall.