This is the first test attempt at doing an actual “shoe promotion shoot” in the style that we will actual do when we promote shoes given to us by our partner sites.

But since I’m as green as they come – or as the shoes on Sugar’s feet – when it comes to taking the fashion photographs (rather than just making designs or just critiquing them), I was happy for the practice. Sugar and I decided to go ahead and do a test series, both so she and I could get some practice taking a particular shoe and making it look good.

We wanted to try with a summer shoe, so since most stores have stopped carrying summer styles, we opted for a 15,000 won “test shoe” a cheap pair of sandals that we found in a size 245. of which there were very, very few left. “Beggars can’t be choosers,” as they say, so we went with the lime-green, strappy sandals.

Sugar was a good sport about it, and took to the shoes eagerly. The shoes leave the feet pretty bare, so we thought it would be the perfect challenge to model, especially what with the fact that Sugar had injured her foot the day before and was wearing two band-aids on her left foot, in addition to having not received a pedicure for months. Yet, she still handled those shoes with aplomb, like a true foot model should.

We also wanted to try for a photo story that would allow us to start getting some fashion photography-like shots, while remembering to highlight the shoe, all while trying to make the shoe look pretty in context, just like in real life. So we got the shoes and decided to make the street change of shoes part of a the story.

I had Sugar change on some steps that were backlit with some colorful signage and which also provided me with a lower angle from which to take as flattering pictures as possible.

It was the first proper model shoot for me, as well as the first one of any kind for Sugar, but our first-time-out results were surprisingly decent.

This shot is both a success and failure. It’s the type of shot I like and tend to get, but which I sort of messed up that night because I wasn’t careful about checking the individual shots before moving on to the next part of the shooting. But it’s a good mental “bookmark” and reminder of what kind of shots I need to make sure I get in the future.

The following shot worked well, and is another example of the usefulness of picturing shoes in context and in motion, as they would actually appear in real life, albeit in as stylized a version of reality you could imagine.

Sugar moved right into some othe interesting angles and poses that reflected her keen observation of what I might want to see. She simply got it, and figured it out fast.

Very smart, very iconic. very Carrie from Sex in the City. It’s a bit cliche, but it shoes off the shoe. When we have the model in some nice clothes that match the scene as well as the shoes we’re given to stylize, I think we’ll be well on our way.

A couple more attempts at the same look, except that this one came out with the leg way over-exposed, but the shoe emphasized quite nicely.

Here’s one that’s a bit more contrived than I’d like, but it still works for me. You’re an intrepid poser, Sugar, dear!

Ah, the classic getting-in-the-car shot. I’m not happy with this shot, but I know what to do in the future. At least the shoe is getting some real action shots, though.

Here, trying a different angle in quite close quarters. Sugar suggested that I needed to get more angle on the shoe – I agree. It’s just tough in this tight space, although worth the effort. It’s an interesting shot – and now, a mental bookmark to remind me to try to improve on it in the future, while trying other shots like it.

A variation, as well as a good example of why this kind of photography and promotion requires foot models. Not too many body parts can stand up to this close scrutiny – Sugar and the others will definitely need pedicures for actual photo shoots.

Another variation. Next time, I might try a call van so I can get more room and angle choices.

The shots were sometimes a bit overexposed or ill-cropped, but I actually consider this quite a successful first test shoot, as were were 1) in a rush, 2) weren’t working with a real client’s shoes, and 3) didn’t take as many safety shots as we will make sure to do in the future.

Arrival!

By this time, both Sugar and I were pretty hungry, so we were happy to ditch the shooting and get some food. We had fun on the shoot and gained some really helpful experience.

Look forward to more, better stuff in the very near future.

For all the members of our community, I’d like to thank you again for registering. 우리 community member가 되신 분들 - 등록하셔서 감사합니다! 모든 밑에 사진을 클릭하시면 확대됩니다. Don’t forget to click on the pics to enlarge!

This “photo story” happened sort of accidentally. I was planning just another “Audition” for a new model, whom I met by chance while walking past a coffee shop window. As is always the case, models are far more striking in person, and I always fear that a lot will be “lost in translation” over to the two-dimensional plane of the picture.

It’s why they say “you gain 10 pounds on television” or some folks claim that they “take bad pictures.” It’s because you have to know what you’re doing when you present yourself in such a small slice of reality, from the set and narrow angle of a camera lens.

And when it comes to scouting for foot models, let me tell you that it’s hard to make that part of the body look attractive, especially at such close range. That’s why, believe you me, the few people whose feet and legs look decent on camera are that much more attractive in real life. And in “Goldie’s” case, this is doubly true.

I had convinced her to let me take sample pictures with her just sitting in her seat, which seemed the least awkward thing to do, since she’d have to get up, leave her stuff, and pose for pictures of her feet in front of the main glass doors of this very busy coffee shop. So I just let the camera roll on motor drive while she “disrobed” her feet in front of me, took a few flash pics in the middle, then let the motor drive roll while she got her feet dressed again.

To my surprise, the results were very feminine, very sexy, very 멋있어.

I know you might not think, “Wow! Whoa! Hot!” from looking at the smaller version of the picture above, but click on the picture and see if you don’t think “Goldie’s” a prime candidate for a model on this site. She obviously hasn’t received a pedicure in at least the last three months (or any time in her recent memory), yet there isn’t a mark or blemish on her skin. No corns, bruise marks or discoloration from the straps of bad shoes, bruises on her toes or band-aids on her ankle, dead skin, bad cuticles – anything – other than perfectly smooth skin.

I really hope she agrees to come on with us and become one of our premiere models as our site starts to take shape and fulfill its master plan, which really does exist, I swear.

We’ve been looking for different types of talent, found in various styles and shapes of feet and legs. What you’ve seen so far in terms of the models who’ve been on the site so far – both as official “models” and the “auditions” we’ve been having – is the effort to reflect several different kinds of look from the very beginning: clean and cute with short toes, sexier long and skinny feet, plump and petite peds, and even feet that are just outright “hot.”

Now, I think “Goldie” provides a sophisticated set that are not initially striking, but are unusual in that they can stand the close attention of the camera and actually look better the closer you look. Add to that a natural femininity and grace that one would expect in a posed photo shoot – but which found expression during a single attempt without any particular effort – and I tend to think that this is a woman with a lot of potential and who captures just the kind of mood I was hoping to be able to find when I started this little project.

I feel lucky that our paths crossed, and it’s the hope of finding models like her (as a complement to the ones we’ve found already) that really makes me believe that we can gather the models we need to really get this project developinng into what it should be.

Again, I hope that – as members of our community who I want to help define the tone and direction of this site – you’ll start to comment and really get your reactions and ideas out there and make this project more interactive from now, the beginning. I am veritably waiting on the edge of my seat, finger hovering above the mouse, for some good suggestions to turn into reality, so c’mon, people – put me to work!

And I also want to thank “Goldie” and encourage her to come aboard. 사진 포즈해주셔서 너무 고맙고 계속 우리랑 프로젝트를 닽이 하셨으면 좋겠어요, 언니! 이 사이트가 아직도 실험적인 프로젝트인데 이 사dl트의 분위기와 “필링”을 발전하면서 이해주시고 도와주셨으면 좋겠네요.

And to my readers, I want to assure you that whatever you think about the site in its present state, there is so much more in the works, so many more ideas that haven’t even been tried out yet, so many positive suggestions and changes that will come from our growing list of partners – that it’s really safe to describe us now as sitting atop the very teeny, tiny tip of the iceberg. I’m really looking forward to taking this site to a new level and making it something that has never been seen yet. We’re not just another shoe site, nor are we an online shopping mall; we’re also not a “foot fetish site”, even if it does focus on feet and shoes. Anyway, don’t just take my word for it – watch as this site develops, help guide that development, and judge for yourself.

Boys! Don’t be afraid of thinking shoe fashion is just fabulous! It doesn’t make you gay, or a pervert, or a “fetishist.” Girls put a lot of time, effort, and money into appearance and fashion below the skirtline. What’s the harm in appreciating, right?

And girls – don’t be shy! Come talk shoes, compare notes, keep up with the new styles, find out what the other girls are wearing and where to get the really cool stuff.

Whether “Goldie” comes on board with us or not, the impromptu “shoot” was certainly very inspiring. Whatever she decides, she has helped definitely led me to think more concretely about a great many things, about which you will all learn more in the days to come.

Thanks for coming, registering, and hopefully continuing to return to Feet Man Seoul!

I was out scouting for more photo talent, getting reactions that run the gamut from friendly reception to the total shutdown in the process. After getting a couple of lukewarm leads and pictures that I’ll spare you from having to see here, I was walking by a coffee shop window when I spied the lovliest sight and very likely candidate for our site. The last days of summer have already started to yield to the colder fashions of fall, so there are mainly two types of women holding out from the summer: either the girls with something to brag about, or the girls who pick up seasonal and fashion changes kind of late.

“Goldie” was certainly a woman of the former type. First of all, she’s strikingly attractive – in the words from another decade – “fine” as hell. She also has just the particular kind of foot style that will complement the other styles we’re trying to gather in the model talent on this site, as you’ll see when you login, as the full photo set is available only to registered users (registering is free and your personal information isn’t displayed).

My God, dear reader – what are you waiting for? I am going to request to meet “Goldie” again, so I hope that you readers will give a lot of support as comments such that I’ll be able to appeal to those powerfully human emotions that might convince her to join our project. To distort an old phrase:

“Flattery will get you everywhere.”

Register and comment, please.