Fitness Shoot P.P. Critique

Albert Dickson

I shot these two models at a gym here in Boise yesterday. I thought ya'll might weigh in on the overall feel of these and the P.P. . The pullups are shot with window light, all else is strobe lighting. Thanks Mucho.

1. Technique 1


2. Split tone technique.


3. Tech 1.


4. Split tone tech.


5. Contrasty


6. Contrastio Nastio!!


Here is a link to the gallery: http://www.albert-dickson.com/Sports/Crossfit-Refinery

spriro

The plain B&W are the better version IMHO.

divamum

How funny - I totally prefer the split-tones! Beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that... Great series either way

zoomer

Looks like you had some fun and got to try out some things. I think you did a good job with the style...having said that...not really my style so won't critique much.
Usually a good idea to not have your lighting equipment showing in the photo.
I do like the split tone also.
I think you were going for very contrasty lighting and you did that...having said that, to my eye these want a bit of ambient...higher iso maybe, but that is just me probably....just a touch/smidge of a fog effect would look cool with these I think.

Albert Dickson

zoomer wrote: »

Usually a good idea to not have your lighting equipment showing in the photo.
.

Mike, I must be off my rocker but where is lighting equip showing?


Thanks for all your input. I have to say there are some from this shoot that the split tone works better for me and others where a more traditional grey scale fits better.

My eye gets stuck in a rut and having all yours sure is helpful.

zoomer

There were a few in your gallery where the back light and stand that was shining on the wall was in the frame....or maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me...that certainly happens .

Try looking at a couple with a "very" slight fog effect, the black and white ones.

Albert Dickson

zoomer wrote: »

There were a few in your gallery where the back light and stand that was shining on the wall was in the frame....or maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me...that certainly happens .

Try looking at a couple with a "very" slight fog effect, the black and white ones.

Ahh there is one in the gallery! Very keen eye. I was there and I missed it in that shot. Cloned it in a couple of others. Very dark with lots of hardware everywhere in the gym. I am impressed and a little bummed that you saw it. Cant' get anything past a Zoomer can ya?

I'll try the fog effect and get back to you. PS Filter?

Hackbone

All of them are very nice but #3 is a classic winner in my book.

anonymouscuban

I like a lot of them. What I don't like is your B&W conversion. I think in too many of them, the shadows are way too deep. They lack all detail in large portions of the image. That may not be your conversion technique but the lighting. I also agree with Zoomer in that I feel they could use just a bit more ambient light. I am spending more time looking at the dark areas, trying make out what is there than looking at the subject of the photos. But that's me and my suggestions may take your photos in a completely different direction than what you intended.

NeilL

For me #6 jumps out! A very happy interplay of elements of tone/contrast, details/background, subject/ambiance. This visual language and the mood it generates is for me of way more value than any isolated technical nit or "applied" enhancement. Well done on that one!

You don't note your gear, and as before I really think the lens is critical in this series.

Neil

Albert Dickson

Great C&C somuch appreciated.

What I don't like is your B&W conversion. I think in too many of them, the shadows are way too deep

I understand completely. I was pushing the contrast and clarity pretty hard to create definition in the tremendous muscle tone of my subjects. I was a bit drawn to the deep shadows and their play in the physique. I probably overdid it a good bit. Then again that was the point, sorta. I admit, I too am a little concerned about neg. exposure in some areas.

For me #6 jumps out! A very happy interplay of elements of tone/contrast. You don't note your gear, and as before I really think the lens is critical in this series.

Thanks Neil. I am surprised you liked #6 over #5. I like them both but lean towards #5. Appreciate your insight. The gear, Nikon D300, Nikkor 24-70mm f:2.8, Alien Bee B800 with honeycomb grid as key light, HV285 strobes here and there.

anonymouscuban

Albert Dickson wrote: »

Great C&C somuch appreciated.

What I don't like is your B&W conversion. I think in too many of them, the shadows are way too deep

I understand completely. I was pushing the contrast and clarity pretty hard to create definition in the tremendous muscle tone of my subjects. I was a bit drawn to the deep shadows and their play in the physique. I probably overdid it a good bit. Then again that was the point, sorta. I admit, I too am a little concerned about neg. exposure in some areas.

I have a suggestion if you're willing to play around with a couple of your favorites. Create two curve adjustment layers. On one, take the center of the curve and pull it up, brightening the overall image. Now do the opposite to the other curve layer - pull it down in the center. Now invert the mask on both. Take a small soft brush, set the opacity to about 15% and the flow to about 70%, and paint the highlights and shadows alternating between the "bright" and "dark" curve layers. Basically, you'll be selectively dodging and burning the definition into the muscles. This will keep the overall image from getting to muddy.

Albert Dickson

[/Quote]I have a suggestion if you're willing to play around with a couple of your favorites. Create two curve adjustment layers. On one, take the center of the curve and pull it up, brightening the overall image. Now do the opposite to the other curve layer - pull it down in the center. Now invert the mask on both. Take a small soft brush, set the opacity to about 15% and the flow to about 70%, and paint the highlights and shadows alternating between the "bright" and "dark" curve layers. Basically, you'll be selectively dodging and burning the definition into the muscles. This will keep the overall image from getting to muddy.[/Quote]


Never heard of that one. Thats why I love this forum. I'll play with that one. Sounds interesting! Thanks.:):

NeilL

#6 is jakuza, like a still out of Japanese film noire - very appealing! It's also more visually complex, more narrative.

Neil

Albert Dickson

NeilL wrote: »

#6 is jakuza, like a still out of Japanese film noire - very appealing! It's also more visually complex, more narrative.

Neil

WOW!!! JAKUZA!!!! Thats my new style:D. I will pursue photographic JAKUZA. Thanks Neil. You made my day

dbveto

I like all of the shots for various reasons but I would love to see #5 with the same processing as #6 there is just a look of determination in his face.

Albert Dickson

JAKUZA Processing to #5
Jakuza aplied to #5 per dbVeto's request. Still havn't tried the fog filter yet Mike.

#5 Jazuka'd


#6 Original Jazuka for reference:


All credits and rights to the term/name Jazuka and any related cerebral properties have been stollen from Zoomer, and will not be returned.

Rhuarc

Maybe I just don't have a good eye, but with what you were going for I really like the B&W conversion with the really deep blacks. I think it adds to the gritty feel.

Albert Dickson

Rhuarc wrote: »

Maybe I just don't have a good eye, but with what you were going for I really like the B&W conversion with the really deep blacks. I think it adds to the gritty feel.

Right On! Gritty is the word I've used for this project from the begining. Glad you like it thanks.

amoncur

A little too much contrast, in my opinion. If it were me I'd bring up the shadows quite a bit.

dbveto

Albert Dickson wrote: »

Jakuza aplied to #5 per dbVeto's request. Still havn't tried the fog filter yet Mike.

#5 Jazuka'd


#6 Original Jazuka for reference:


All credits and rights to the term/name Jazuka and any related cerebral properties have been stollen from Zoomer, and will not be returned.

don't see any pictures