Using a fan during a photo session

[Wes]

I often see portraits that has the model's hair being blown. Obviously a fan is being used, but what do you do when the model is wearing contact lenses? Make her take them out, or is there some other technique?

[Citex]

Dang I have used a fan to blow back hair and never asked about contacts. What is supposed to happen?

[Wes]

Well.... I suppose that it could blow them out, or that it could make it easier to dry them out. I just remember doing some shooting over at Scott Watters place last December and wondered why we didn't use the fan for a few shots. Scott said something about the model wearing contacts. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but now I'm wondering.

[ppcass]

I always ask about contacts when I use a fan. The air can cause their contacts to dry out and either stick or irritate their eyes. If they have them on, then I turn the fan on and off periodicaaly so the air isn't constantly on them. As far as I know we have never jhad a problem doing it that way.

[toverman]

My question would be, how do you get a good expression if the fan is actually blowing in their faces? I can see tussling the hair a bit, but a full-frontal blow would seem counter-productive. Of course, I don't know for sure.

[flx2000]

you need a fan strong enough to blow wind from a distance.
i have a large floor fan that i place upwards facing the models
contacts are not the only thing to worry about while using a fan.
depending on the power of the wind from the fan, eyelashes can be a problem and if you are in a tight spot, the wind can blow your background around (seamless paper).
But i have not had any problems yet.
i seen somewhere where they built a stage for the models to stand on and place a vent in the stage and used one of those blower type fans found at homedepot. they used it to mimic the marylin monroe shots.

[carrbowl]

I just use a regular fan, keep it about 15 feet away and adjust the speed and where it is blowing. I never have it blowing that hard...in fact you think about it, you don't want it blowing very hard, just softly or the hair will blow too far back, especially the bangs if they have any.

[Wes]

Originally Posted by toverman

My question would be, how do you get a good expression if the fan is actually blowing in their faces? I can see tussling the hair a bit, but a full-frontal blow would seem counter-productive. Of course, I don't know for sure.

Take a look at some of this images on Will Bloodworth's (ParkImaging) website and you'll see the blown effect that I'm talking about. http://parkimaging.wordpress.com/

[SaSha]

You could also direct your model to step into the breeze, pose for some shots and step out. I can imagine having constant wind on you can irritate peoples eyes easily even without contacts. But also depends on the coverage your fan is providing.