Cyndi - Seductive or Sinister??

Bilsen

At a quiet, beautiful waterfall somewhere in the land of BilCyn, when dusk starts to fall the dark fairy comes from her lagoon to prowl her world. Do you hunt for her or run for your life?

The entire gallery of this shoot (including model shots) is being worked on here:
Zenfolio | Bilsen Galleries | Cyndi Dark Fairy



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5. That Caution sign is not kidding


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8.Ahhh she has spotted something (or someone)


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10. NOW WHAT?? Do you run or do you risk?

jonh68

Looks like a fun project. This theme screams to me shooting with a long lens 200-300 mm and photographing like a wildlife photographer would a big cat on the prowl or a wading shorebird looking for fish. By getting close to her it takes away the dangerous edge you seem to be going for with your description of the series. You had to be standing close to get the shots and that doesn't imply danger. By getting farther away it implies she is hunting for whatever, trying to stay hidden, and waiting for ambush.

Bilsen

Intersting point Jon. I do appreciate your "concept" comments instead of just technicals.

I do have a few as you discuss like this. I just didn't show them here.

Hackbone

Great shots but what a wonderful natural light spot....patent it!

Bilsen

Thanks Hack.

I don't know about a patent BUT we call it BilCyn Falls and I am not allowed to use that location with anyone else. It's a small price to pay. OL

Werewolf

If sinister is the goal then get a different model. Nothing sinister about her at all. Alluring, seductive - maybe - but sinister, dangerous? No way.

Bilsen

Well given your screen name I have to go with you.

I take it your vote is for seductive.

jonh68

Bilsen wrote: »

Intersting point Jon. I do appreciate your "concept" comments instead of just technicals.

I do have a few as you discuss like this. I just didn't show them here.

That's not what I had in mind. The concept is great, the execution of the technicals is where it falls short. This doesn't scream predator or anything else described in your concept idea. The pose looks like she is about to run a track meet, not sinister or seductive. She gets lost in the backgrounds.

Substitute bird with the model. This was at 300mm on a DX body and I was good distance away so I wouldn't bother the bird. It was stalking crawfish and was focused on the task at hand. I don't separate wildiife, landscape, or portrait work into different categories. I apply what I learn in each genre and apply a little bit into the other. For a crawfish there is a quite a bit of danger in that pose and look. It is focused and ready to pounce. For your concept I would apply that focus with seduction for the model shoot. Seduction and Sinister are primal, this is why stalking animals would be my inspiration for this concept. I would also use a long lens to make it look like I just happened to come across the scene from a safe distance away. Shooting from a distance conveys danger, shooting close conveys calm and peace. I think your concept is great, the technicals is where it falls short because your choice of how to frame and what lenses you used doesn't convey what you describe as what you were trying to accomplish. If the shoot was just a fantasy shot by a waterfall in costume then you got some good shots. If you are trying to convey something dangerous, seductive, or sinister it doesn't come across like that and the costume choice doesn't help.

Bilsen

I see what you're saying and I guess it doesn't hit you as I wanted but it did what we wanted so, to that extent, I'm going to respectfully disagree. That's not to say ignore your comments (you know I don't) but Cyndi and I are happy with the set.

Of course, everyone's mileage will vary. That's what's great about this hobby.

D3Sshooter

Great set, the prowler. To me they are neither Seductive or Sinister, and rather "you are watched".
Love the sharpness and the model. The only thing I do find a bit less , and that is a small detail is the light temp. Its a bit on the blue side , a bit to cold.
Otherwise great work and what a luxury to have such an area to shoot.

Bilsen

Thanks D3.

I'm not sure if I get the images or mjust the title wrong but you're the second " neither". Actually, your take reverses Cyndi from prowler to victim. Really interesting comments from both you and Jon.

Anyway, the bulish WB is intentional. These were shot in mid-afternoon but I cooled them off to reflect dusk ans some darkness.

Gary752

Bilsen wrote: »

At a quiet, beautiful waterfall somewhere in the land of BilCyn, when dusk starts to fall the dark fairy comes from her lagoon to prowl her world. Do you hunt for her or run for your life?

6,7,8 comes close, minus a few hot spots in the background. I've always thought that dusk was between sunset and darkness, and these show sun peeking through in spots. The others clearly show areas brightly lit by the sun. If these can't be re-shot, I would darken those bright areas in PS to match the rest of the background.

GaryB

Bilsen

Thanks Gary. There's no reshoot. We have too much else sceduled this fall so I'll take a look in Photoshop.