Irishka: Top Ten

Nikolai

For those of you who enjoyed my little collages from last Sunday, here's a few more from that shoot.

1. Relaxed 1



2. Relaxed 2



3. Striking a pose 1



4. Striking a pose 2



5. Those legs..



6. Spidergirl



7. Flirt



8. Portrait



And finally a couple of more theatrical setups:

9. Desperation



10. Double Jeopardy (or Always ask your model to bring a friend!:-)



C&C welcome!

Llywellyn

The first one in this set is my absolute fave. Love her pose and expression.

I'm happy you included the last two because I wanted to see her do something other than smile! :giggle She has a gorgeous smile, but it's the same expression in all the shots. I was really wanting to see another epxression--and boy howdy, does she deliver in that last one! :oogle

RBrogen

Wonderful shots AS ALWAYS!!!! In the last one I think with a quick look that she's a dead ringer for Linda Blair with her head spinning around as she spits green gunk.

Sam

Nikolai,

Great work!

Just curious..........are these time for photos, is she paying you or are you paying her?

She seems to have modeling experience, great smile, good poses, and did I mention...........legs?

Keep up the good work!

Sam

Nikolai

Llywellyn wrote:

The first one in this set is my absolute fave. Love her pose and expression.

I'm happy you included the last two because I wanted to see her do something other than smile! :giggle She has a gorgeous smile, but it's the same expression in all the shots. I was really wanting to see another epxression--and boy howdy, does she deliver in that last one! :oogle

Thanks, Kerry!
Glad you liked the variety! :ivar
Good point on the facial expression, I'll work on that with her next time...

Nikolai

RBrogen wrote:

Wonderful shots AS ALWAYS!!!! In the last one I think with a quick look that she's a dead ringer for Linda Blair with her head spinning around as she spits green gunk.

Thanks:-)

Moogle Pepper

I like her skin tones!

How did you get her to hold the knife half naked?

Nikolai

Sam wrote:

Nikolai,

Great work!

Just curious..........are these time for photos, is she paying you or are you paying her?

She seems to have modeling experience, great smile, good poses, and did I mention...........legs?

Keep up the good work!

Sam

Thanks Sam!
This was all quid pro quo, (or "time for images":-).
Modeling experience: you'll be surprised . It's her 4th shoot and she only started less than a month ago. In fact, my first session with her was her first ever. I guess it makes her a fast learner (and me a good teacher :-)

Nikolai

Moogle Pepper wrote:

I like her skin tones!

Thanks! She tans nicely and she lives in OC, next to the world famous beaches...

How did you get her to hold the knife half naked?

Easy. You just say "1) Lose the top 2) Hold the knife".
Try it, it works most of the times

heatherfeather

#5 is amazing- It is the same girl, same background, but a whole new look. That is my fav of these. You did a great job keeping everything that needs to be in the frame, in the frame. You are really coming along with the lighting too. Excellent stuff, Nik.

Nikolai

heatherfeather wrote:

#5 is amazing- It is the same girl, same background, but a whole new look. That is my fav of these. You did a great job keeping everything that needs to be in the frame, in the frame. You are really coming along with the lighting too. Excellent stuff, Nik.

Thank you, Heather, glad you liked it!

Trevlan

Damn Nikolia. That is the difference between a professional and a guy like me.

On shot's like these, and I've done a few ;-), I don't know how to command the model. It's not enough to have good equipment, and the proper lighting. I need to know how to pose the model, what do you recommend I do?

Nikolai

Trevlan wrote:

Damn Nikolia. That is the difference between a professional and a guy like me.

I'm not a pro, only a weekend warrior, but thanks! :-)

On shot's like these, and I've done a few ;-), I don't know how to command the model. It's not enough to have good equipment, and the proper lighting. I need to know how to pose the model, what do you recommend I do?

Three things: learn, learn and learn!
There is an amazing amount of information around you, you just need to look.
Whenever I'm waiting for any appointment there are almost always some glam magz in the receiption area. Or tabloids my wifie brings from the grocery. I go through all the full page ads and red carpet pics, try to "reconstruct" the lighting setup, and also make mental notes on what's "working" and what's not. I'm also subscribed for a few magazines myself (I don't go to the doctors too often yet, luckily).
There are tons of fashion/model-related shows on TV, sometimes the whole channels: Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, Bikini Destinations, Ultra HD... Or the series like "South Beach" (reruns now).
And of course there is Internet..:-)
I think I started doing all this (I mean, educating myself) only about a year ago or so, so it's not THAT hard.

And once you know what potentially can look good and have at least some concept of lighting, then it all comes to your ability to direct and model's ability to follow. Some girls have a lot of experience and they already know what works and what not *for them* (angles, poses, etc.), in this case the amount of direction can be really minimal. However, some directions are almost always required since nobody except you have that unique position behind the viewfinder.

evoryware

Nikolai wrote:

Easy. You just say "1) Lose the top 2) Hold the knife".
Try it, it works most of the times

Hahaha!!! I'll comment later on the photos. Too busy laughing.

dogwood

Nikolai wrote:

Easy. You just say "1) Lose the top 2) Hold the knife".
Try it, it works most of the times

Nice job-- your rim lighting is dramatically improved over previous shoots. It's much softer and more sensual so whatever you did, keep it up.

Nikolai

dogwood wrote:

Nice job-- your rim lighting is dramatically improved over previous shoots. It's much softer and more sensual so whatever you did, keep it up.

Thanks, Pete!

Moogle Pepper

I am not sure saying

Easy. You just say "1) Lose the top 2) Hold the knife".
Try it, it works most of the times

would work for me. More like she would hold the knife to get ready to strike me..

Nikolai

Moogle Pepper wrote:

I am not sure saying
would work for me. More like she would hold the knife to get ready to strike me..

that's why you say "lose the top" first :-)

OhEddie

Geeez, Those legs go all the way to the floor! Amazing

Swartzy

I totally agree with Pete on the rim lighting....very very nice execution. Oftentimes we get caught up in using too many lights but you've got a sweet blend in these Nik. Nicely done. I know your thoughts on PP but (and it's only MHO)...every single shot you post should have your photoshop skills applied....these shots are just too special to NOT do it......yes, I understand the time constraints....but you have some magic here.....beautiful models, beautiful light, beautiful settings....you owe it to yourself to PP to that level.

Love me, hate me....I'll always say it like I see it. You aren't a weekend warrior....you my friend need to take the next step for what you are...PRO

Nikolai

OhEddie wrote:

Geeez, Those legs go all the way to the floor! Amazing

They are nice, ain't they! :-)
Thanks!

Nikolai

Swartzy wrote:

I totally agree with Pete on the rim lighting....very very nice execution. Oftentimes we get caught up in using too many lights but you've got a sweet blend in these Nik. Nicely done. I know your thoughts on PP but (and it's only MHO)...every single shot you post should have your photoshop skills applied....these shots are just too special to NOT do it......yes, I understand the time constraints....but you have some magic here.....beautiful models, beautiful light, beautiful settings....you owe it to yourself to PP to that level.

Love me, hate me....I'll always say it like I see it. You aren't a weekend warrior....you my friend need to take the next step for what you are...PRO

David,
thank you, you're too kind, I'm flattered:-)

I think I will take my time off shooting after the SM Shootout and spend a month or so picking up the real good stuff and then going apey with it (CS4 should be out by that time, I guess, at least rumors say so). Then create a book or two (or three, I want to test all those fancy printhouses:-) and then head to the local agencies and fashion outlets offering my services..(can I hear "1DMkIII$$$"? )
I actually apply quite some amount of PP to almost every frame I post (not doing that would be like a russian girl going out without a makeup, non dresses to the nines and without high heels - simply doesn't happen:-), but I'm glad it's not that obvious, since I go for an "almost natural" look:-)

evoryware

I'm keep looking at them over and over.
I love the rim lighting but I still think it can be turned down a bit. Especially in #1 and 4.
The main light seems to be unevenly lighting her face in some of the shots also, especially #6 and 7.

I love the look and feel and mood of the last two. I was quite shocked to see those! My faves in terms of lighting are 3 and 5.

Nikolai

evoryware wrote:

I'm keep looking at them over and over.
I love the rim lighting but I still think it can be turned down a bit. Especially in #1 and 4.
The main light seems to be unevenly lighting her face in some of the shots also, especially #6 and 7.

I love the look and feel and mood of the last two. I was quite shocked to see those! My faves in terms of lighting are 3 and 5.

Thank you Damon, appreciate the C&C!