Marginal Attempt At Plagiarism.

Bilsen

Ann Marie did an epic job at copying Sports Illustrated regardless of the failings of her photographer.
As always, no crew of 20 so no flash, no reflectors, no scrims. Just us, my new 70D and Mr. Sun on a Bermuda beach.



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divamum

OMG you finally got a higher res camera with decent AF - woot! Good choice, sir - that 70d is about the best thing since sliced bread if you're not gonna go full frame (which should be your next move.... )

Regardless of gear (it's the nut behind the wheel, not the car!! lol) - GREAT set here. Really excellent. THIS is a "scene setting" background that enhances instead of competes, the light is soft and lovely, and the poses are "organically" sexy (rather than "sexy for sexy's sake").

1/2 are the real winners here, but the whole set is terrific. ONLY nit is that I'm a little suspicious of where your focus point was in 3/4/5 - eyes look a teensy bit soft, although that may just be upload compression etc etc.

jonh68

I agree with the above critique. In this case the backgrounds complement the setting. They are interesting on their own so they add to portraits.

Bilsen

Thanks Diva and Jon.

Diva, I am absolutely IN LOVE with the 70D. It allows me to do everything the 1D Mk 2 can do without ending up crippled at the end of the shoot. Plus it allows me to have "area focus" which you'll see when I post images of all three models together. I could not do that with my rebels.

The AF is quick and awesome. As far as the softness, that may be me.

My normal workflow includes a USM sharpening as the last step. However, once I started posting from the 70D, some people I respect were calling things oversharpened. As a result, I backed way off and may not have found the sweet spot yet.

I'll post some of the multi model stuff this week so y'all can have at it.

divamum

I don't think it's anything to do with editing - I think you just may have had your focus point in the wrong place

puzzledpaul

I'd suggest that the water swirl in 1 would've been more effective / even better with a more diffused / distant or plain (ie sea / sky) bg ... Did you try any similar - but backlit shots?

Minor nit with 2 re the bit of sky in top left ... otherwise agree with previous comments

Tough gig, eh?

pp

divamum

If you're using "zone focus" (I assume it's similar to the 7d's) that's your issue; it's still gonna focus on the nearest thing, so if (for instance) a leg isn't in the same plane as eyes..... Single point is always going to be most reliable on stationary subjects, IME. Some people like to use Servo to predict movement; I've never had luck with it, although I probably should keep trying as I think when you can figure out how to make it work *for* you, it's very useful.

Bilsen

Paul, I have some things with the wide ocean BKG but I wouldn't call them backlit so much as side lit, like this:



That flip shot was only taken where you see it.

Right again Diva. I was primarily using the 3 point "zone" right on the model's face. It's a bit different from the "area" focus on the 1D2 or expanded points on the 7D but the concept is the same.

This camera seems to be a serious advance over both my T3i and the 1D 2. Not really a surprise given the time lag but, honestly, this is the first time I've bought a new (for me) camera and been surprised at the results. I think I mentioned I even have to back off USM because they are pretty good SOOC.

puzzledpaul

Bilsen wrote: »

Paul, I have some things with the wide ocean BKG but I wouldn't call them backlit so much as side lit, like this:

That flip shot was only taken where you see it.

My comments re bkg were mainly related to the water / hair flip shot ...I've zero experience taking this type of shot with such subjects ... only with other wildlife, and have found bkg (and pov) v. important.*

Since the 'swirl' is a key feature of the shot, it's a bit of a shame (imo) that it gets lost in this bkg.

Whilst I know I shouldn't be looking at such things, I can't help but notice the way the rock outcrop just touches her upper arm in Top Right corner (post 8)... sad, eh

pp


*
eg if this'd had a busier bkg it would've been far worse.
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=247049

Bilsen

Thanks Paul, I see your point and you are probably right. I will tell you that by the time we shot the "flip" the sun had moved quite a bit so we headed for the shady lagoon. That last image (Anylza's blue bikini) was shot about 40 minutes before the flip.

One of the failings of not having that crew of 20 that I mentioned is the fact the Mr. Sun becomes the art director. We were constantly moving to the west between 7:00 and 9:30 AM. At that point, the shoot was over and we were done and wrapped. Besides, I'm one old man trying to keep up with three 20 something models. If I add them together, they approximate my age. There was a time that was my fantasy come true but that was a LOOOONG time ago. Now THAT is sad.

As for the rock touching her shoulder, I would expect nothing less from the members here. I've taken a fair number of beatings on this board over the past 2 years but almost every one has helped me improve. Right Diva??

jonh68

Bilsen wrote: »

Thanks Paul, I see your point and you are probably right. I will tell you that by the time we shot the "flip" the sun had moved quite a bit so we headed for the shady lagoon. That last image (Anylza's blue bikini) was shot about 40 minutes before the flip.

One of the failings of not having that crew of 20 that I mentioned is the fact the Mr. Sun becomes the art director. We were constantly moving to the west between 7:00 and 9:30 AM. At that point, the shoot was over and we were done and wrapped. Besides, I'm one old man trying to keep up with three 20 something models. If I add them together, they approximate my age. There was a time that was my fantasy come true but that was a LOOOONG time ago. Now THAT is sad.

As for the rock touching her shoulder, I would expect nothing less from the members here. I've taken a fair number of beatings on this board over the past 2 years but almost every one has helped me improve. Right Diva??

It isn't about having a crew so much as knowing what different techniques and lenses can do. Getting closer to the subject with something in the 35-50 mm range, get a little lower and shoot tighter would isolate her more from the background and show off the water trail from the flip.

Bilsen

jonh68 wrote: »

It isn't about having a crew so much as knowing what different techniques and lenses can do. Getting closer to the subject with something in the 35-50 mm range, get a little lower and shoot tighter would isolate her more from the background and show off the water trail from the flip.

Won't argue Jon BUT, having already taken one camera and 24-105 for a swim in the Gulf of Mexico (which did not turn out well) I no longer go in the water itself. That was as close as I'm willing to get and the 85mm prime just wasn't gonna happen.

divamum

Fwiw, you could easily clone away a little bit of the rock with water so it doesn't apppear to converge with her arm and nobody would be the wiser...

That last photo of Anylza - WHY IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS GORGEOUS DOES SHE STRAIGHTEN HER HAIR?!?! OMG, she just looks INCREDIBLE here - that is without question the most flattering shot of her you have EVER posted.

Bilsen

You're the girl Diva. You expect me to say why females do anything? I'm only 60.

Also, I'll tell her you like that hairdo. Thanks.