Paula

Justiceiro

Well, having taken Nikolai's suggestions under consideration, I did a bit more playing with the lighting during a photoshoot in Mannheim last saturday. Not quite where I want to be yet, but it is better than last time I think. Here are a few examples:



#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7


#8


Personally, I like #2 the best, but I wonder if I am overdoing the "soft focus" thing. What do you think?

Nikolai

Hey partner, long time no hear!

A few comments:
* I'd say impovement is noticeable;
* I agree that "soft focus" is overdone;
* "Spread legs" is a very "high impact" pose that has to math the rest of the image. #1 is kinda going there, but still not there yet, the rest of the kind are completely "incohesive";
* Watch for chopped-off limbs (elbows, in your case);
* I'd say BW images look better than color;
* It's probably my personal attitude more than anything, but I generally don't like white bg if it's not HK (highkey)
* You got much better with limbs positions. My only nit is parallel legs in #5, which otherwise would have been my top choice from the series, because (next item)
* I still think in most cases you're lighting too much, especially considering you're operating in a highly reflective environment, thus making the lighting bland, yet not enough to go HK. The strongest (most interesting) images lighting wise, imho, are: #2, #7 and #5.

HTH

Icebear

I like #2, and the soft focus (on that one) is to my taste! Looks very vintage.

garratt15a

I Like these. Good poses and great model

Helio

I really like 4, 6 & 7. There is such a rawness to them that is appealing. The posing and styling really helped to make the shot. A harder contrast with stronger highlights might improve the overall vintage characteristics, otherwise I think you're on to something.