Miriam -> by Ann

Ann McRae · December 9, 2008

On Saturday, while in the SF Bay area for the Dgrin party, I joined Nikolai (and April, Christina and Debbie) for a model shoot. Miriam has glorious green/hazel eyes and is incredibly flexible. Nik put her flexibility to great use.
I've never done glamour shots of any sort before, but wanted to see it done and see how I would handle it. Nik was so generous in arranging this shoot for us gals, and I must say he gets all credit for lighting, picking spots, and both he and his daughter Helen (assistant and great kid!) get credit for the poses. I occasionally suggested a foot, shoulder or face move but thats it. I did control my shooting angle (and not always very well). Nik told me at the beginning that the best stuff would come at the end. Not sure about that cuz I haven't edited those yet, but I think I got better with time.

I will try to be selective in what I show, but am pretty interested in some feedback so may go overboard.
So far I have edited with LR only - and not done any local brushing or extra color enhancement beyond clarity/saturation, black point, and minor curves.

We started off simply, and perhaps tentatively:
1.

2.

We moved on to a strange square cutout on the bunker wall. It had horrible rusty hooks in the top, but Miriam willingly climbed and contorted in that little space. My favorite shot from this location suffers from bad positioning on my part, but I hope a creative crop can save it (not done yet):
3.

4.

From there we moved up to the top of the bunker, and had a glorious background of the GG bridge.

5.

6.

Nik asked Miriam to do so salsa moves:

7.

After the top of the bunker we moved to a wall full of graffiti and Miriam changed into a red dress. Those photos are still uploading so I will post them later.

Tell me what you think.

ann

aktse · December 9, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

Tell me what you think.

I think you did a fabulous job considering this was your first time (and much better than me).

Ann McRae wrote:

This is my favorite of the bunch. And the camera angle works for me and I just love the lines that are created in this photo.

Ann McRae wrote:

I think you should watch the camera angle and the pose because her posture isn't telling you very much (her hand is just touching the metal, instead of hanging on) and she's looking off to the distance.

Nicely done!

Ann McRae · December 9, 2008

aktse wrote:

I think you did a fabulous job considering this was your first time (and much better than me).

This is my favorite of the bunch. And the camera angle works for me and I just love the lines that are created in this photo.

I think you should watch the camera angle and the pose because her posture isn't telling you very much (her hand is just touching the metal, instead of hanging on) and she's looking off to the distance.

Nicely done!

Thanks, April. More to come....

Ann McRae · December 9, 2008

Now on to the red dress and graffiti:
8.

9.

10.

11.

I have four more setting/outfit changes to go through. Not all suitable for this section of the forum.

Nikolai · December 9, 2008

Hey Ann,
I must say the model and the settings look strangely familiar...

Great series, I dind't expect anything less!

You're way ahead of me in post processing, so I'll be swallowing the dust

Ann McRae · December 9, 2008

Nikolai wrote:

Hey Ann,
I must say the model and the settings look strangely familiar...
Great series, I dind't expect anything less!
You're way ahead of me in post processing, so I'll be swallowing the dust

Thanks Nik. You will see them all shortly. In the meantime, comments/critique?

clemensphoto's · December 9, 2008

Really like the red dress shots the most. Sounds like you had a great time.

Nikolai · December 10, 2008

C&C...

To begin with, it's a good idea to number the piccies, otherwise it's pretty hard to reference...
first shot with the wall ring is not carrying enough emotion imho
second is better, but -
1) watch for that grass thingies, and
2) almost always a good idea is to *avoid* shooting females full frontal. Make them turn or change the shooting position
first "square" shot: gotta really watch your framing. Chopping off body parts and pieces of the outfit is rarely a good practice, sometimes it works, but I don't think this is the case.
second square shot, the tilted one: interesting tilt, but again overly tight framing, dress and window is cut off. In general I find it useful to frame a bit more loosely in this type of situation, when you going "click-click-click" as opposed to shooting a centerfold when you can set up one shot for hours.
first roof shot: I kinda like the way GGB cables converge into her, but the particular pose is a bit awkward and she's not looking at you or at your direction. I know this is a sideeffect of a "group shooting", mea culpa, but it happens and you have to be aware of it. Don't press a shutter if she's not there for you...
last of the roof: great arch on the second, interesting tilt on third again.
1st red: that wierd eye things you've mentioned got you there. A bit too tight framing on the top. You were having fun with tilting, weren't you? ;-)
2d red: repeat after me: NEVER-EVER-EVER shoot a standing female from the eye level. Go low!
3d red: solid keeper
4th red: meh... she was in between poses, definitely not ready for you...

HTH

Shima · December 10, 2008

I love these, my favorites would be #6 from the first set and #3 from the second set. Be careful about losing arms like #3 in the first set, that shot could been all that much better if her whole other arm was in the shot.

Ann McRae · December 10, 2008

clemensphoto's wrote:

Really like the red dress shots the most. Sounds like you had a great time.

Yes we did have a lot of fun! The red dress is my favorite too. Thanks

ann

Ann McRae · December 10, 2008

[*]To begin with, it's a good idea to number the piccies, otherwise it's pretty hard to reference...

Done

[*]first shot with the wall ring is not carrying enough emotion imho

Agreed - showed that one to illustrate the slow beginning.

[*]second is better, but -
1) watch for that grass thingies, and
2) almost always a good idea is to *avoid* shooting females full frontal. Make them turn or change the shooting position

Okay, but why is full front a no-no?

Is this better:

[*]first "square" shot: gotta really watch your framing. Chopping off body parts and pieces of the outfit is rarely a good practice, sometimes it works, but I don't think this is the case.

Agreed - and that one I really regret. At that point, I started framing much wider.

[*]second square shot, the tilted one: interesting tilt, but again overly tight framing, dress and window is cut off. In general I find it useful to frame a bit more loosely in this type of situation, when you going "click-click-click" as opposed to shooting a centerfold when you can set up one shot for hours.

I think the tight framing is a sports photography thing! But, I also want to be tight enough to see her face.

BTW, the tilt and crop are PPd.

[*]first roof shot: I kinda like the way GGB cables converge into her, but the particular pose is a bit awkward and she's not looking at you or at your direction. I know this is a sideeffect of a "group shooting", mea culpa, but it happens and you have to be aware of it. Don't press a shutter if she's not there for you...

understood

[*]last of the roof: great arch on the second, interesting tilt on third again.

[

*]1st red: that wierd eye things you've mentioned got you there. A bit too tight framing on the top. You were having fun with tilting, weren't you? ;-)

Tilt is PPd. I spend lots of time on FM weddings next thng I'll try is texture

[*]2d red: repeat after me: NEVER-EVER-EVER shoot a standing female from the eye level. Go low!

Okay, but why?

[*]3d red: solid keeper

Ah, at least one!

[*]4th red: meh... she was in between poses, definitely not ready for you..

glennp · December 10, 2008

Nice work Ann. My favs are 7 & 10. You've got some great backdrop areas to work with. Look forward to seeing more.

glenn

Nikolai · December 10, 2008

Okay, but why is full front a no-no?

It's not a no-no, but a simple wisdom that tummy area in profile looks 50% slimer compared to full front, so unless the model has a classic hourglass bodyshape full frontals tend to make them "look fat"...

Is this better:

Yes, since the muscles from the back are now flexed and create a more trapezoid/less rectangular shape. Watch for the love handles and those armpit areas, this is were you usually engage into PS-based pixel editing. Just a reminder, this is not an exercise in PJ, this is beauty/fashion world, PS is a model photographer's best friend :-)

Okay, but why?

It makes for visually shorter legs and taller upper body. Usually you want the other way around.

HTH

evoryware · December 10, 2008

Really liking 6,7, and 10. Nice shots!
Shadows are distracting on #9.

BradfordBenn · December 10, 2008

Thanks for sharing, I am learning just from seeing the proceedings. It is interesting though, I don't find the Red Dress photos as eye catching as the ones inside the bunker.

Ann McRae · December 10, 2008

Nikolai wrote:

"look fat"...

HTH

Hmmm, hate that terminology! I see, but I do not like the wafer thin look. Comes from being a (larger) curvey gal, I suppose.

Ann McRae · December 10, 2008

evoryware wrote:

Really liking 6,7, and 10. Nice shots!
Shadows are distracting on #9.

Thank you - I appreciate this feedback.

ann

Ann McRae · December 10, 2008

BradfordBenn wrote:

Thanks for sharing, I am learning just from seeing the proceedings. It is interesting though, I don't find the Red Dress photos as eye catching as the ones inside the bunker.

Yes, it is interesting - we all have different taste, so that is good!

I am soooo happy to be expanding my horizons and trying new things!

ann

Ann McRae · December 10, 2008

And, as a final shot, here is the black dress:

Still interested in feedback!

Nikolai · December 11, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

Hmmm, hate that terminology! I see, but I do not like the wafer thin look. Comes from being a (larger) curvey gal, I suppose.

I hear ya. Next time you find yourself a willing model simply try the same pose but different vantage points - very low (on the floor), low (knee level), waist level, chest level, eye level, and then from above (ladder, etc.) - and see for yourself what works best according to your personal taste.
Note: men and women are different, differently shaped people are different in that respect.

Nikolai · December 11, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

And, as a final shot, here is the black dress:
Still interested in feedback!

Lovely!

Did I tell you or did I tell you - the best stuff always comes at the end!

Ann McRae · December 11, 2008

Shima wrote:

I love these, my favorites would be #6 from the first set and #3 from the second set. Be careful about losing arms like #3 in the first set, that shot could been all that much better if her whole other arm was in the shot.

Hi Shima

Thank you. I sooooo know I blew that shot by cutting off her arm! I really love everything else about that photo. It will be next week before I will get into photoshop and see if I can rescue it in any way!

ann

Ann McRae · December 11, 2008

glennp wrote:

Nice work Ann. My favs are 7 & 10. You've got some great backdrop areas to work with. Look forward to seeing more.

glenn

Thanks Glenn. That setting was really amazing. Glad Nik did his homework!

ann

Ann McRae · December 11, 2008

Nikolai wrote:

Lovely!
Did I tell you or did I tell you - the best stuff always comes at the end!

And I am surprised by that because she was clearly exhausted, and well, so was I.

ann

Nikolai · December 11, 2008

Ann McRae wrote:

And I am surprised by that because she was clearly exhausted, and well, so was I.

ann

Interestingly enough, it's that exhaustion that does the trick.

It's like the last two minutes in a hockey game, no one cares about saving strength anymore and just gives it all. This is also the best opportunity for the "berserk" time you guys seemed to like so much

Miriam -> by Ann

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