A book, a vase and a sunset (18+)

NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
edited August 5, 2011 in Go Figure
Last week I got approached by a young lady who apparently loved my pictures. When we met over a coffee at a local Starbucks, she explained that she never did a nude shoot before, yet she would like me to photograph her naked, just in a way that it's not "in your face". She also mentioned that's she's moving to downtown LA over the weekned, while currently she was staying only a quarter mile away from me.

I generally liked the way she looked and held herself, so I decided to take her mid-week onto a quick sunset shoot, the type she apparently found the most appealing to her.

I decided to start indoors (considering she lived close) and then proceed to one of my favorite local vistas in Westalke Village for the actual sunset.
I also decided to try only natural light: it's been a while since I did something like that, and I wondered if I still can shoot without any artificial lighting :-)

So, here's a couple from the first set. Only a window light, nothing else.

#1: A girl and a book

1365025631_twZ3Msk-XL.jpg

#2: A girl and a vase

1365025724_gftRCWm-XL.jpg

Once she got "warmed up" we left for the location (which requires some hiking to get to)

#3: Of course, I could not get away without a chiffon :-)

1365025649_hnCLKGX-XL.jpg

#4: When we were discussing the shoot, she mentioned some of my silhouettes.
Which triggered my memory of an excellent Zoomer's post a while back, and as a result we have decided to try some "cowgirl" theme (only this is not a cutout ;-):

1365025661_sLQPqVT-XL.jpg

#5: With some variations, of course:

1365025588_zCxGvLk-XL.jpg

#6: Not entirely "Captain Morgan", but... ;-)

1365025576_5SXhHBc-XL.jpg

Anyway, that's about it.
All the images above were taken with 5DMkII and 70-200L/2.8 IS MkII (which is, in my opinion, THE best lens for portraits in that price range), handheld, natural lighting only.

Needless to say, we had a great time during the shoot and even had some time to simply enjoy the surroundings:-)

1365025567_BSgXHvC-L.jpg

This post was made with the assistance of Star*Explorer
"May the f/stop be with you!"

Comments

  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited July 2, 2011
    For me, ##2 & 4 are the best iloveyou.gif, but not without some reservationseek7.gif (which I mention here with all possible humility, very aware of the challenges and my own limitations!:D).

    Re #2, the top half is extraordinarily tender, beautifully carried by line and tone, but the bottom half takes over the picture - technically (a lot of environmental detail and a lot of light, comparatively) and with the pose (porn-y).

    Re the silhouettes, as I said I think #4 is excellent, great humour, and technically and compositionally well crafted. On the other hand, ##5 & 6 are more "frank" in the crotch area, if only in outline, so that, for me, a porn-y element is again introduced, which clashes with the other messages in these shots (I'm not against porn in general, but to use an analogy, I don't particularly like salsa with my peaches!mwink.gif).

    Enjoyed them, thanks!

    Neil
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • sherstonesherstone Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 2,356 Major grins
    edited July 2, 2011
    The only one I dislike is number 3 - The chiffon is overpowering. Nice to see you using natural light thumb.gif

    My absolute favorite is the last one.
    Sean
  • BrucheBruche Registered Users Posts: 83 Big grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    Wonderful shots...

    R/
    Bruce
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    On further viewing, I report that I am completely at peace (rolleyes1.gifwink) with #1, and think it's beautiful!iloveyou.gif

    Neil
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • BradfordBennBradfordBenn Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    Of all the shots, the last one is my favorite as it just seems serene and comfortable like something that was not posed. There is a bit much distortion on her hair but I think that could be fixed with a lens compensation edit.
    -=Bradford

    Pictures | Website | Blog | Twitter | Contact
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    Thank you Neil, Sean, Bruce and Brad! thumb.gif Appreciate the stopping by and commenting! iloveyou.gif

    @Sean: since you didn't like the chiffon one, how about this ;-) mwink.gif

    1365025610_6dkXMhF-XL.jpg

    Have a great ID weekend, everybody! clap.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • sherstonesherstone Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 2,356 Major grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    Nikolai wrote: »
    @Sean: since you didn't like the chiffon one, how about this ;-) mwink.gif

    Still has the nice sun burst. Yes I like that one more :D
    Sean
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    sherstone wrote: »
    Still has the nice sun burst. Yes I like that one more :D
    mwink.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    #3 is iconic Nik, I'm certain the chiffon is orange

    look at it listening to Shostakovitch and sipping something

    :Diloveyou.gif

    Neil
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    NeilL wrote: »
    #3 is iconic Nik, I'm certain the chiffon is orange

    look at it listening to Shostakovitch and sipping something

    :Diloveyou.gif

    Neil

    Laughing.gif, Neil, you know me too well:-) thumb.gif

    i-T6ckb3N-XL.jpg

    I have other colors, too, but I find the orange to be the best for this kind of things, so if I am to choose only one, I usually take my CTO :-)
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    Q
    Nikolai wrote: »
    I have other colors, too, but I find the orange to be the best for this kind of things, so if I am to choose only one, I usually take my CTO :-)


    Quite right too!thumb.gif

    Oh! and what a shot this is! Nordic goddess!clap.gif

    Neil
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 4, 2011
    NeilL wrote: »
    Quite right too!thumb.gif

    Oh! and what a shot this is! Nordic goddess!clap.gif

    Neil

    Duh, I forgot my horned helmet :bash mwink.gifrofl
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • JusticeiroJusticeiro Registered Users Posts: 1,177 Major grins
    edited July 5, 2011
    #4 is fantastic, humorous, perhaps, but a serious joke, as the technicals are perfect and it is (despite the tongue-in-cheekness) a fabulous pose. All in all, though, I like the last of the original series- two of my favorite of God's creations, beautiful women and beautiful landscapes.
    Cave ab homine unius libri
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 5, 2011
    Justiceiro wrote: »
    #4 is fantastic, humorous, perhaps, but a serious joke, as the technicals are perfect and it is (despite the tongue-in-cheekness) a fabulous pose. All in all, though, I like the last of the original series- two of my favorite of God's creations, beautiful women and beautiful landscapes.

    Hehe, you know me too well, partner! mwink.gif
    Srsly, though, "the-beauty-n-the-wild" is one of my most favorite themes. deal.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • Darren Troy CDarren Troy C Registered Users Posts: 1,927 Major grins
    edited July 5, 2011
    1 & 4 are superb!
    http://DarrenTroyCphotography.com/
  • D'BuggsD'Buggs Registered Users Posts: 958 Major grins
    edited July 6, 2011
    So.......... You're REALLY getting back 'into' using vignette's again, eh? :lol


    1, 2, 3 & 4 are Show-Stoppers IMO. My fave would be 2.
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 9, 2011
    Darren Troy C wrote: »
    1 & 4 are superb!
    Thanks, Darren!thumb.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 9, 2011
    D'Buggs wrote: »
    So.......... You're REALLY getting back 'into' using vignette's again, eh? :lol


    1, 2, 3 & 4 are Show-Stoppers IMO. My fave would be 2.

    Laughing.gif, yeah, I decided to give this old tool another try. The mid key images kinda look bland w/o it :-)
    Thanks, man! clap.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • TinstaflTinstafl Registered Users Posts: 355 Major grins
    edited July 17, 2011
    First of all they are all wonderful shots. I have to say that the one looking out over the water at the end was my favorite. There is not much you can say technically that has not been said already. They are all well done and each has a vision to share. To me the first cowgirl theme with the orange on the bottom and the sky darkening and the vignetting all work to make a powerful image. Those two are my favorites and would stand out in any crowd. The others while well done do not seem to rise to the same level. I know that is the reason we take more than one look and why we try new things and different images appeal to different people.

    Thanks for posting this series. I know I learned a lot looking at it as it gave me wonderful ideas and a reason to try them now....
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 17, 2011
    Tinstafl wrote: »
    First of all they are all wonderful shots. I have to say that the one looking out over the water at the end was my favorite. There is not much you can say technically that has not been said already. They are all well done and each has a vision to share. To me the first cowgirl theme with the orange on the bottom and the sky darkening and the vignetting all work to make a powerful image. Those two are my favorites and would stand out in any crowd. The others while well done do not seem to rise to the same level. I know that is the reason we take more than one look and why we try new things and different images appeal to different people.

    Thanks for posting this series. I know I learned a lot looking at it as it gave me wonderful ideas and a reason to try them now....

    Thank you, appreciate your looking and commenting! thumb.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • garratt15agarratt15a Registered Users Posts: 71 Big grins
    edited July 30, 2011
    Great shots. Great model.
  • VayCayMomVayCayMom Registered Users Posts: 1,870 Major grins
    edited August 5, 2011
    Those boots are super sexy!
    Trudy
    www.CottageInk.smugmug.com

    NIKON D700
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