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anwmn1

I have a friend recently diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer that wanted a lingerie type shoot done before she starts treatments. Though I have always wanted to, I had never done a shoot like this before. I really didn't know how to pose her and was doing lighting on fly. Here are just a few of the ones I have edited so far.

Feedback is always appreciated.

1.


2.


3. This one is straight out of camera except for minor crop and slight Grey point adjustment.


4.


5.
In an old chair


6.
In a dinning chair


7.
In the bed



8.

Nikolai

Aaron,
nice series! It's a great thing you did for her and I think it played out nicely.
I'd only say that both lowkey and hikey ones look a bit sterile for me, especially lowkey ones - it looks like she's hanging in void. Also a bit too much of a dead space around, but maybe it's just me.

I like 5,7 and 8 (8 modulo tighter cropping).

anwmn1

Nikolai wrote:

Aaron,
nice series! It's a great thing you did for her and I think it played out nicely.
I'd only say that both lowkey and hikey ones look a bit sterile for me, especially lowkey ones - it looks like she's hanging in void. Also a bit too much of a dead space around, but maybe it's just me.

I like 5,7 and 8 (8 modulo tighter cropping).

Thanks Nik. Yeap I have other versions of #8 that are tighter cropped. Just sharing some different looks.

To eliminate the void you describe I can only crop correct? How could I have posed her different or set up lights different?

Nikolai

anwmn1 wrote:

To eliminate the void you describe I can only crop correct? How could I have posed her different or set up lights different?

Aaron, please take the following with the grain of salt since it's only my personal biases..
1) tighter crop - yes.
2) as I said earlier, lowkey ones do not provide *any* idea of the background or support, leaving her hanging.
3) lighting is a bit flat/bland to my taste. Rim/hair would prolly help.
HTH

i_worship_the_King

I'm actually a fan of 6&7. All of the other frames the model seems to be out of place, like she's not truly comfortable. On 6&7, however, the grin cracks and it just seems more natural.

Either way you cut it, great round of shots!

anwmn1

Nikolai wrote:

Aaron, please take the following with the grain of salt since it's only my personal biases..
1) tighter crop - yes.
2) as I said earlier, lowkey ones do not provide *any* idea of the background or support, leaving her hanging.
3) lighting is a bit flat/bland to my taste. Rim/hair would prolly help.
HTH

Salt taken

Hair light I agree would help but since I ain't got one- I didn't use one.

I am only working with two strobes and only with umbrellas. I guess I could have used a flash unit or found a way to bounce some light that direction.

As far as the hanging- I guess that is actually what I was going for in those shots. Most of the artistic shots I had looked at were very similar to this- just better.

anwmn1

i_worship_the_King wrote:

I'm actually a fan of 6&7. All of the other frames the model seems to be out of place, like she's not truly comfortable. On 6&7, however, the grin cracks and it just seems more natural.

Either way you cut it, great round of shots!

Thanks for the comments.

She is not a model so wasn't real comfortable- heck neither was I

It took a little while for both of us and then I tried to keep her smiling and laughing even though she was trying not too.

I prefer the real emotion too.

Nikolai

anwmn1 wrote:

I am only working with two strobes and only with umbrellas. I guess I could have used a flash unit or found a way to bounce some light that direction.

"You don't have to light it all up to make your subject look interesting" (Joe McNally)
I find it soooo true...

urbanaries

Nikolai wrote:

"You don't have to light it all up to make your subject look interesting" (Joe McNally)
I find it soooo true...

I think this is the start of some real critique on this series. A sensitive matter, to be sure. But I find her lingerie very playful and innocent, which might lend itself to a contextual scene...in the kitchen licking batter, outside gardening, or something equally girlish. The scenes as they are just aren't working for me, while she has a gorgeous figure and even some lovely expressions especially for a non-professional model, they're just not quite there. I think my favorite pose is the first, but only if she were in a real bed, we would feel like we're priviledged to peek in on a private moment, rather than imagine how uncomfortable and cold she must feel all nekkid on the backdrop. Does that make sense?

I'm sorry if this comes off as harsh, she's a lovely lady and this type of photography is NOT easy to do, so I commend your efforts!

There was a more abstract image you posted in another thread...was that her? I loved that shot!!!

anwmn1

urbanaries wrote:

I think this is the start of some real critique on this series. A sensitive matter, to be sure. But I find her lingerie very playful and innocent, which might lend itself to a contextual scene...in the kitchen licking batter, outside gardening, or something equally girlish. The scenes as they are just aren't working for me, while she has a gorgeous figure and even some lovely expressions especially for a non-professional model, they're just not quite there. I think my favorite pose is the first, but only if she were in a real bed, we would feel like we're priviledged to peek in on a private moment, rather than imagine how uncomfortable and cold she must feel all nekkid on the backdrop. Does that make sense?

I'm sorry if this comes off as harsh, she's a lovely lady and this type of photography is NOT easy to do, so I commend your efforts!

There was a more abstract image you posted in another thread...was that her? I loved that shot!!!

Thank you Lynn-

I do not mind the critique at all. Really appreciate it actually.
I would love to have done some of the shots you describe and maybe one day I can. This was a first go and there were some interesting factors. Besides this being a first for both her and me- these were also done at midnight because she works 2nd shift. I am sure if my neighbors were up they were probably wondering what the hell was going on with the strobes flashing in my loft and bedroom.


Yes the other shot is her as well. I have uploaded a few more to my site so I will post some of those for feedback.


Thanks again-

bham

Aaron, good start for a first time. I doubt I could have done better. My next boudior shots will be my first, so these are just MHO. I really like #5 and #8 is my favorite.

This lady has great legs and in both those pictures that is really shown off. #8 shows her great legs but also leaves some to the imagination, of what is under the jacket. Sometimes it is better to let the mind wander.

With her in a man's dress shirt I think a female version of Tom Cruise in Risky Business would have been great. Also another possible pose that might have been nice could have been a similar shot to the Jennifer Anniston cover of some magazine where it looks as if she is naked but all you really see is her legs bent at the knees and in front of her and her face somewhat on her knees.

I envy you in that you have had a muse to shoot. I am still looking for one but I have a file of photo ideas for it, so when I get a chance I got a lot of poses I would like to do.

angevin1

I have a friend recently diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer...
Aaron,
So sorry to hear about your friends new diagnosis! I am impressed that she thought of doing photos beforehand. Perhaps this is an opportunity to help her thru the treatment and 'life' she'll have to endure during it, via your photography.

tom