I really like the first portrait (just watch the background on the closeups, I find it a bit distracting), very nice exposure on all these, just not certain on the first pose.
She's beautiful btw......
The fourth one is just a red x
Thanks, Reyvee. My intention was to shoot her in front of one of those columns, but she immediately went for the space in the middle, so I went with it. Smugmug must have barfed on loading #4 into your browser. Can you hit reload on that page and see if it shows? If you like #1, I'm sure you'll like 4 as well or more. Thanks again for your comments.
Nice set Doggie. #1 my favorite. Pose is nice so is lighting. I like her expression. #2 I like least. Pose looks odd to me, like she is trying to hold herself on the ledge.
There are some goopie marks on the head band most visible in #1. Maybe wipe those clean in post.
Hey Joel,
nice model!
Smart usage of the avalable refectors by placing her between those pillars.
I have a bit of the problem with your angling and posing.
See, while we all like experimenting, some things are known to work or not work in a vast majority of cases. Here's a rundown:
* Facial closeups look best if taken from above (as opposed to from below the chin as in your #1)
* #2: holding legs like this is a worst possible pose I can think of. :cry
She looks like a midget, which she is not. Rotating her lower body (and the legs) 45..90 degrees would make a huge difference (nicely demonstrated in your very own #3)
* in ##1,3 and 4 you have some distraction in the BG (door?) Moving the camere just an inch or two to your left would help you to avoid it. I understand the mindset ("who on earth would look at the background when there is a pretty girl in a bikini right up front"), but that's what differentiates a glorified snapshot from a pro work.
* PS-wise: in addition to bra tag I'd work on her armpits.
All in all, in case you didn't notice, the new season of the Weekly Assignments is all about these things: posing, angling, framing, lighting, processing, etc. Since you are obviously venturing into this direction I sincerely suggest to consider participating...
Nice set Doggie. #1 my favorite. Pose is nice so is lighting. I like her expression. #2 I like least. Pose looks odd to me, like she is trying to hold herself on the ledge.
That must have been because she was trying to hold herself on the ledge.
There are some goopie marks on the head band most visible in #1. Maybe wipe those clean in post.
Hey Joel,
nice model!
Smart usage of the avalable refectors by placing her between those pillars.
I have a bit of the problem with your angling and posing.
See, while we all like experimenting, some things are known to work or not work in a vast majority of cases. Here's a rundown:
* Facial closeups look best if taken from above (as opposed to from below the chin as in your #1)
* #2: holding legs like this is a worst possible pose I can think of. :cry
She looks like a midget, which she is not. Rotating her lower body (and the legs) 45..90 degrees would make a huge difference (nicely demonstrated in your very own #3)
* in ##1,3 and 4 you have some distraction in the BG (door?) Moving the camere just an inch or two to your left would help you to avoid it. I understand the mindset ("who on earth would look at the background when there is a pretty girl in a bikini right up front"), but that's what differentiates a glorified snapshot from a pro work.
* PS-wise: in addition to bra tag I'd work on her armpits.
All in all, in case you didn't notice, the new season of the Weekly Assignments is all about these things: posing, angling, framing, lighting, processing, etc. Since you are obviously venturing into this direction I sincerely suggest to consider participating...
HTH
Nikolai
Great comments, Nik. So many posing rules, ahem, guidelines to remember. See, that's why I like nature photography; you see, you shoot.
I don't usually venture into weekly assignments but maybe for this I should.
Great comments, Nik. So many posing rules, ahem, guidelines to remember. See, that's why I like nature photography; you see, you shoot.
I don't usually venture into weekly assignments but maybe for this I should.
thanks, Nik.
-joel
Joel,
(female) models and nature are one and the same: beautiful and ever changing.
You don't want to catch either at their bad moments: a model with her hair and nails undone, a nature when the light is bad. Unless, of course, you shoot for gritty effect, in which case bot trashy look and hellish weather (or our typical southwestern clear blue sky and scorching sun) may add to the picture.
If the nature was all that "see-n-shoot", why on earth did we wait until dark and woke up in an ungodly hour in the morning, forgetting about sleep and food?
Seriously, partner, there are many a rule for each subject. Knowing them gives you a fairly reliable base line. Yet at the same time it also gives you an opportunity to break them for a specific purpose. Wide Angle Tilt-Shift can be used for pretty unique portraiture, long tele can be superb for landscapes...
But in any case it's all about knowing what you're doing and what you want to get. Ignorance rarely helps in these matters.
I can see number four now...
Question, do you fuss with fixing skin imperfections?
For a polished product I would say yes.....
I do like #4 quite a bit though
(female) models and nature are one and the same: beautiful and ever changing.
You don't want to catch either at their bad moments: a model with her hair and nails undone, a nature when the light is bad. Unless, of course, you shoot for gritty effect, in which case bot trashy look and hellish weather (or our typical southwestern clear blue sky and scorching sun) may add to the picture.
If the nature was all that "see-n-shoot", why on earth did we wait until dark and woke up in an ungodly hour in the morning, forgetting about sleep and food?
Seriously, partner, there are many a rule for each subject. Knowing them gives you a fairly reliable base line. Yet at the same time it also gives you an opportunity to break them for a specific purpose. Wide Angle Tilt-Shift can be used for pretty unique portraiture, long tele can be superb for landscapes...
But in any case it's all about knowing what you're doing and what you want to get. Ignorance rarely helps in these matters.
Soo, see you in Class? ;-)lust
Thanks for the pep talk, Nik. I was of course being a bit facetious, there's nothing simple about nature photography, or any other kind of photography. But people are way harder than it looks and one does need a lot of practice to get it right. And there are only some many hours in the day. That being said, I will try to participate in the assignments classes. It's not easy with work and family, and lack of a studio, but I'll see what I can do. I appreciate the personal invite.
I can see number four now...
Question, do you fuss with fixing skin imperfections?
For a polished product I would say yes.....
I do like #4 quite a bit though
Thanks! Both 1 and 4 have skin smoothing applied. I tend to use such tools sparingly for better presentation, but not changing the model's looks appreciably. It sounds like I succeeded. In retrospect I could probably have done a bit more touchup in that last shot.
Something not mentioned that caught my eye is that her toes are hanging over the edge of her shoes that draws attention to the shoes that look kind of heavy compared to the bikini and they are scuffed.
~Matt
__________________________________________
Enjoy the journey, it's the best part.
Nikon D70s
Nikon F4s
Pentax K1000
Olympus OM-10
Gitzo CF tripod/Arca Swiss ball head
Not nearly enough lenses
Something not mentioned that caught my eye is that her toes are hanging over the edge of her shoes that draws attention to the shoes that look kind of heavy compared to the bikini and they are scuffed.
I do like #1 and 5 the best. But I totally agree with this comment. I looked at the set and afterward, all I remembered were the shoes. I don't like them personally but I agree, heavy is a good word. Something more delicate I think would have been much better. Also, I have seen skin softening waaaaay over done to the point where the people look like a doll. Models seem to like it but I do not think it is right. Do you have a change to shoot with her again? She is beautiful and I think with the tips you got, the pics could be much improved. I would like to see them too!
Something not mentioned that caught my eye is that her toes are hanging over the edge of her shoes that draws attention to the shoes that look kind of heavy compared to the bikini and they are scuffed.
Thanks for the comment on the shoes. I will admit to being fashion-challenged. Although even I know the toes thing can't be right. Not sure how you can see the shoes are scuffed though, they look ok to me.
I do like #1 and 5 the best. But I totally agree with this comment. I looked at the set and afterward, all I remembered were the shoes. I don't like them personally but I agree, heavy is a good word. Something more delicate I think would have been much better. Also, I have seen skin softening waaaaay over done to the point where the people look like a doll. Models seem to like it but I do not think it is right. Do you have a change to shoot with her again? She is beautiful and I think with the tips you got, the pics could be much improved. I would like to see them too!
Thanks, Kyeezie. The shoot was part of a fund-raiser. There were three models and about 30 cars that I shot together. I'd never met the girls prior to the shoot, so I had no input at all to their outfits. I was actually pretty pleased. Afterwards, I spent about 5 minutes shooting all three girls. So these shots were rather hasty. All three girls have expressed interest in shooting again. I will definitely keep all the tips I've gotten here in mind for next time.
Thanks! Both 1 and 4 have skin smoothing applied. I tend to use such tools sparingly for better presentation, but not changing the model's looks appreciably. It sounds like I succeeded. In retrospect I could probably have done a bit more touchup in that last shot.
Cheers,
-joel
I tend to feel the same way unless it's called for .....
Comments
She's beautiful btw......
The fourth one is just a red x
Link to my Smugmug site
http://www.arkreations.com
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Cripes, can't believe I missed that. :uhoh Thanks for the comment!
Link to my Smugmug site
There are some goopie marks on the head band most visible in #1. Maybe wipe those clean in post.
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
nice model!
Smart usage of the avalable refectors by placing her between those pillars.
I have a bit of the problem with your angling and posing.
See, while we all like experimenting, some things are known to work or not work in a vast majority of cases. Here's a rundown:
* Facial closeups look best if taken from above (as opposed to from below the chin as in your #1)
* #2: holding legs like this is a worst possible pose I can think of. :cry
She looks like a midget, which she is not. Rotating her lower body (and the legs) 45..90 degrees would make a huge difference (nicely demonstrated in your very own #3)
* in ##1,3 and 4 you have some distraction in the BG (door?) Moving the camere just an inch or two to your left would help you to avoid it. I understand the mindset ("who on earth would look at the background when there is a pretty girl in a bikini right up front"), but that's what differentiates a glorified snapshot from a pro work.
* PS-wise: in addition to bra tag I'd work on her armpits.
All in all, in case you didn't notice, the new season of the Weekly Assignments is all about these things: posing, angling, framing, lighting, processing, etc. Since you are obviously venturing into this direction I sincerely suggest to consider participating...
HTH
Nikolai
Thanks for the comments, Alex.
Link to my Smugmug site
Great comments, Nik. So many posing rules, ahem, guidelines to remember. See, that's why I like nature photography; you see, you shoot.
I don't usually venture into weekly assignments but maybe for this I should.
thanks, Nik.
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
Joel,
(female) models and nature are one and the same: beautiful and ever changing.
You don't want to catch either at their bad moments: a model with her hair and nails undone, a nature when the light is bad. Unless, of course, you shoot for gritty effect, in which case bot trashy look and hellish weather (or our typical southwestern clear blue sky and scorching sun) may add to the picture.
If the nature was all that "see-n-shoot", why on earth did we wait until dark and woke up in an ungodly hour in the morning, forgetting about sleep and food?
Seriously, partner, there are many a rule for each subject. Knowing them gives you a fairly reliable base line. Yet at the same time it also gives you an opportunity to break them for a specific purpose. Wide Angle Tilt-Shift can be used for pretty unique portraiture, long tele can be superb for landscapes...
But in any case it's all about knowing what you're doing and what you want to get. Ignorance rarely helps in these matters.
Soo, see you in Class? ;-)
Question, do you fuss with fixing skin imperfections?
For a polished product I would say yes.....
I do like #4 quite a bit though
Thanks for the pep talk, Nik. I was of course being a bit facetious, there's nothing simple about nature photography, or any other kind of photography. But people are way harder than it looks and one does need a lot of practice to get it right. And there are only some many hours in the day. That being said, I will try to participate in the assignments classes. It's not easy with work and family, and lack of a studio, but I'll see what I can do. I appreciate the personal invite.
Link to my Smugmug site
Cheers,
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
__________________________________________
Enjoy the journey, it's the best part.
Nikon D70s
Nikon F4s
Pentax K1000
Olympus OM-10
Gitzo CF tripod/Arca Swiss ball head
Not nearly enough lenses
Thanks, Kyeezie. The shoot was part of a fund-raiser. There were three models and about 30 cars that I shot together. I'd never met the girls prior to the shoot, so I had no input at all to their outfits. I was actually pretty pleased. Afterwards, I spent about 5 minutes shooting all three girls. So these shots were rather hasty. All three girls have expressed interest in shooting again. I will definitely keep all the tips I've gotten here in mind for next time.
Thanks again, everyone.
-joel
Link to my Smugmug site
I tend to feel the same way unless it's called for .....