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

Nikolai · July 2, 2011

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

#2: A girl and a vase

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 :-)

#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 ;-):

#5: With some variations, of course:

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

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:-)

This post was made with the assistance of Star*Explorer

NeilL · July 2, 2011

For me, ##2 & 4 are the best

, but not without some reservations

(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!

).

Enjoyed them, thanks!

Neil

sherstone · July 2, 2011

The only one I dislike is number 3 - The chiffon is overpowering. Nice to see you using natural light

My absolute favorite is the last one.

Bruche · July 3, 2011

Wonderful shots...

R/
Bruce

NeilL · July 3, 2011

On further viewing, I report that I am completely at peace (

wink) with #1, and think it's beautiful!

Neil

BradfordBenn · 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.

Nikolai · July 3, 2011

Thank you Neil, Sean, Bruce and Brad!

Appreciate the stopping by and commenting!

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

Have a great ID weekend, everybody!

sherstone · July 3, 2011

Nikolai wrote: »

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

Still has the nice sun burst. Yes I like that one more

Nikolai · July 3, 2011

sherstone wrote: »

Still has the nice sun burst. Yes I like that one more

NeilL · July 3, 2011

#3 is iconic Nik, I'm certain the chiffon is orange

look at it listening to Shostakovitch and sipping something

Neil

Nikolai · 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

Neil

, Neil, you know me too well:-)

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 :-)

NeilL · 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!

Oh! and what a shot this is! Nordic goddess!

Neil

Nikolai · July 4, 2011

NeilL wrote: »

Quite right too!

Oh! and what a shot this is! Nordic goddess!

Neil

Duh, I forgot my horned helmet :bash

rofl

Justiceiro · 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.

Nikolai · 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!

Srsly, though, "the-beauty-n-the-wild" is one of my most favorite themes.

Darren Troy C · July 5, 2011

1 & 4 are superb!

D'Buggs · 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.

Nikolai · July 9, 2011

Darren Troy C wrote: »

1 & 4 are superb!

Thanks, Darren!

Nikolai · 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.

, yeah, I decided to give this old tool another try. The mid key images kinda look bland w/o it :-)
Thanks, man!

Tinstafl · 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....

Nikolai · 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!

garratt15a · July 30, 2011

Great shots. Great model.

VayCayMom · August 5, 2011

Those boots are super sexy!

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

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