good looking pool shark

1pocket · February 27, 2008

I did a shoot with a young lady who happens to be an excellent pool player -- not a pro, but really moving up, and who knows. She also happens to be pretty good looking...

I'm new to the studio lighting thing, so your comments are very much appreciated!

1

2

3

A b&w conversion

Scott_Quier · February 27, 2008

You're right - she's very photogenic.

General comments - to my eye, they all look a touch dark. I went to your SmugMug gallery and looked at the others from this shoot and they share this trait. That having been said, in general, the placement of your lights works quite nicely
Specific comments:

Would have loved to have seen a catchlight in her right eye. Her right ear-ring hanging there with nothing to support it. Had there been a little light from behind her and camera right would have seperated her hair and black top from the background a bit.
I like the lighting here better. The photo is a bit better exposed and you have some light seperating her from the background. A small nit - you've cut off portions of her fingers on her left hand. It appears her right hand is casting a faint shadow on her face.
The light placement here is the best of the group, but we are still missing the catchlight in her right eye. Though this is my favorite of the group you've posted, I'm not too sure about the way you've cut off her right arm.
The B&W - I really like the lighting here (though still missing good catchlights) and the fact that your chopped off a portion of her elbow is not bothersome. You have good blacks in the photo. I would like to see you extend the range of tones to include a good white; I'm thinking the spots in her top or her teeth would be a good candidate. Really love how creamy smooth her skin is with out looking fake.

Overall, I think this is a very good series; would just like to see them all a little brighter and with a touch more pop that the brighter images would allow.

1pocket · February 27, 2008

Scott_Quier wrote:

You're right - she's very photogenic.

General comments - to my eye, they all look a touch dark. I went to your SmugMug gallery and looked at the others from this shoot and they share this trait. That having been said, in general, the placement of your lights works quite nicely
Specific comments:
Would have loved to have seen a catchlight in her right eye. Her right ear-ring hanging there with nothing to support it. Had there been a little light from behind her and camera right would have seperated her hair and black top from the background a bit.

I like the lighting here better. The photo is a bit better exposed and you have some light seperating her from the background. A small nit - you've cut off portions of her fingers on her left hand. It appears her right hand is casting a faint shadow on her face.

The light placement here is the best of the group, but we are still missing the catchlight in her right eye. Though this is my favorite of the group you've posted, I'm not too sure about the way you've cut off her right arm.

The B&W - I really like the lighting here (though still missing good catchlights) and the fact that your chopped off a portion of her elbow is not bothersome. You have good blacks in the photo. I would like to see you extend the range of tones to include a good white; I'm thinking the spots in her top or her teeth would be a good candidate. Really love how creamy smooth her skin is with out looking fake.

Overall, I think this is a very good series; would just like to see them all a little brighter and with a touch more pop that the brighter images would allow.

Thanks, Scott, for your very welcome constructive criticism. My monitor is not calibrated -- I should get off my duff and do something about that!

As to the crops, I'll swing back and take a look at the originals to see if there is more available...

Yeah, the catch lights; excellent on the main light side, but a lot less on the other side. I don't know what to do about that without giving up something in the lighting (other than enhancement in pp). Got ideas?

Mitchell · February 27, 2008

These are nice. I can't help but wonder how great #1 would be if she was standing next to a nice looking pool table. That would have been killer.

Scott_Quier · February 27, 2008

1pocket wrote:

Yeah, the catch lights; excellent on the main light side, but a lot less on the other side. I don't know what to do about that without giving up something in the lighting (other than enhancement in pp). Got ideas?

A not-so-bright fill (so as to retain the shadow you have going for you) up front will provide the catchlights just fine - just a thought.

david-low · February 27, 2008

WOW, she's a killer ! Has she broken 149?

1pocket · February 27, 2008

david-low wrote:

WOW, she's a killer ! Has she broken 149?

You must be English -- or Canadien, with your Snooker reference (but isn't it 147?)

But, no, American Pool is her game and she is indeed a pretty good player

No prior experience as a model either, but she was great! The pool cue helped her feel comfortable...

good looking pool shark

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