Erin - fine art (NSFW)

Jeremy_22

One for now, more from this set later once we finish culling.

AB800 in a 50" softbox and giant silver reflector camera right mixed with the window light.

Blurmore

This is a great almost balanced lit shot with good tone. Not so sure about what the qualifications for "fine art" are but I'd say they do not usually involve a connection with the camera. I think you could crop this tighter or even square and eliminate that left over wall angle on the left, and still keep most of her hand. Its a good image, but if "fine art" means someone would hang it in a gallery or their home, I'm not sure it says enough or maybe too much to qualify.

Jeremy_22

Blurmore wrote: »

Its a good image, but if "fine art" means someone would hang it in a gallery or their home, I'm not sure it says enough or maybe too much to qualify.

Excellent feedback...not one many would note.

Fine art is up for interpretation, I still see plenty that identifies the subject. But in its "true" sense (if such a thing exists today), the viewer can't identify with the model but instead identifies with the lines, emotion displayed, etc.

We have some from the session that were shot this way as well.

codiac2600

There is a lot that bothers me about this image... From the senior-ish pose to the lack of any emotion to the styling. I agree with blurmore that this really isn't a fine art image, more of a picture of a nude woman leaning towards a window.

The biggest problem for me is the pose because it is just not flattering at all. She looks very barrel chested and gives her a very wide shoulder with a very narrow waist, which I find to be awkward. The other big issue is the distractingly deep shadow between her thighs...

Jeremy_22

codiac2600 wrote: »

From the senior-ish pose

Literally stopped reading right there, because it's flat out false. Check the mags if you don't believe me.

Icebear

I don't normally comment on the physical attributes of subjects, but that is one strange looking belly button. Is it a shadow, or some weird artifact. It looks like a vertical cleft in her belly. I like the shot overall, but think it's a bit overexposed.

Nikolai

dsmPhotoCompany wrote: »

Literally stopped reading right there, because it's flat out false. Check the mags if you don't believe me.

With this kind of reaction to C&C you're not gonna get much more...

Jeremy_22

Nikolai wrote: »

With this kind of reaction to C&C you're not gonna get much more...

I like c&c when it has something to it, and the person commenting can actually support their feedback. This one was nothing of the sort.

Icebear wrote: »

I don't normally comment on the physical attributes of subjects, but that is one strange looking belly button. Is it a shadow, or some weird artifact. It looks like a vertical cleft in her belly. I like the shot overall, but think it's a bit overexposed.

Her bellybutton appears larger than most because of the angle as well as the fact she is a mom. I have some dodge/burn work to do there to minimize it before printing.

As far as exposure, my style is to shoot hot. In addition, we wanted this art to be very strong in the whites, which is why I chose this white brick wall to shoot the nudes on. As always, this will actually print a touch darker, putting it exactly where I want.

codiac2600

dsmPhotoCompany wrote: »

I like c&c when it has something to it, and the person commenting can actually support their feedback. This one was nothing of the sort.

This is why it's called C&C... I judge photo contests all over the US and my input is my opinion whether loved or not and it may seem harsh at times, but I'm right about things most of the time which is why I'm called upon to judge imagery. Because a magazine says something doesn't make it good or justifies anything as anyone can find something to support their view. Some of the greatest photographers take images that aren't good at all from time to time, but because they are greats people look the other way, sadly I do not. If you're not willing to take honest critique, but only comments that make you feel better about what you do, then please don't post your images up on a forum for people to respond to. I've had my fair share of people fight what I thought was a great image and show me what was wrong and I learned instead of arguing it. I'm sorry that I'm the first person to be truly honest and express my professional opinion in each and every photo I critique, but if I didn't I'd be lying, which I don't believe in.

Jeremy_22

codiac2600 wrote: »

I judge photo contests all over the US...

...I'm sorry that I'm the first person to be truly honest and express my professional opinion in each and every photo I critique, but if I didn't I'd be lying, which I don't believe in.

Please provide credentials for these image contests, plus, our studio is always looking for contests to enter in order to get input and improve our craft.

You are not the first to critique images, your comments about the pose are simply off-base. Especially when a published nude photographer had input on the photo, both positive and constructive changes - yet the pose was "great for her body".

I'd enjoy seeing a sample from one of your creations, showing how you executed a similar work and paid attention to the items you have pointed out.

codiac2600

dsmPhotoCompany wrote: »

Please provide credentials for these image contests, plus, our studio is always looking for contests to enter in order to get input and improve our craft.

You are not the first to critique images, your comments about the pose are simply off-base. Especially when a published nude photographer had input on the photo, both positive and constructive changes - yet the pose was "great for her body".

I'd enjoy seeing a sample from one of your creations, showing how you executed a similar work and paid attention to the items you have pointed out.

Please remove this line from your signature please:

When I post photos, they're always up for honest critiques.

Jeremy_22

codiac2600 wrote: »

Please remove this line from your signature please:

Missing the point, critiques I can handle when there is some validity and substance with them. I agreed with Blurmore regarding his comments...and Icebear provided great feedback.

I asked you some questions in my last post, you clearly don't want to answer them. I will gravitate toward believing what a published nude photographer has to say about this image over the "senior-ish pose" garb.

Thanks again to everyone else for their input.

ivar

Let's get back to critiquing the photo

ChatKat

Critique
The image is over exposed (light wise) - all the detail is missing from the brick
The hand is cutoff on the window sill - the edge on that side is a distraction
The expression is not natural but forced looking
The shadow between her legs is harsh and unflattering
The pose is more about her nudity than a story about her

kdog

I like it. It's hot, both in lighting and mood. Kind of an environmental high key shot. The model has an incredible figure which I think was well captured. Crisp focus. Really, what's not to like?

ChatKat

kdog wrote: »

I like it. It's hot, both in lighting and mood. Kind of an environmental high key shot. The model has an incredible figure which I think was well captured. Crisp focus. Really, what's not to like?

I wasn't doing C&C on the model. Just the photographic quality and technique. If you want to do quality photography or you just want to view the subject as an object. There are many factors to a good photo with technique and light quality first.

kdog

ChatKat wrote: »

I wasn't doing C&C on the model.

Neither was I. I said she was well captured. Why are you critiquing my critique anyway? My opinion is just as valid as yours.

dogwood

My two-cents: it's an okay photo. Your lighting and all that looks fine to me but there's nothing (not a strong enough pose, expression, setting, etc) that makes this one leap from the screen. And oh boy, are you going to hate this, but the pose is just a little like something a typical senior would do (with clothes on, of course).

What about getting out a spray bottle and making the model's skin wet and having her grabbing for a towel or another bathroom object? I see lots of potential here!

djames

One thing I will say about this thread. I have never seen a photo bring so many personal attacks in the entire time I have visited this web site. I thought personal attacke were not allowed according to the rules of the site.

sweet caroline

From a woman's perspective, the pose looks uncomfortable and forced. It strikes me as more Playboy than fine art. Of course, that comes down to personal style and preference. A lot of girls would love to look like that, especially if they are moms out to prove they've still got it.

I'm also not a fan of the angle because we just see the edge of the windowsill jutting out. And her fingers are cut off.

bham

A couple things I like about the image are the nice S curve (armpit, side, but, leg) on the right side of the image. Like the high key, and the black and white.

Other things covered above by others.

Shooting nudes is much harder than I initially thought, and I am still so much a rookie at it (only done 3 sessions, about 6 hours). But I imagine you would get similar feedback on MM as you are getting here. If you disagree with a critique that's fine, I do occasionally, but when many say the same thing it should become harder to ignore. I try to be my own harshest critic, but its never easy.

Hope to see more of your work here.

An idea for you with a similar image and B&W, a nice soft shadow would really add to the image and give it depth.