More studio shots - DPChallenge Forums

06/08/2005 07:24:16 PM · #1

Looks like I've kinda picked up another study to work on. I'm not sure how I got into it but I've started shooting more silhouettes. Here are a few silhouettes, some poses and a leg shot. Thanks for comments/critiques.

Next is not a complete silhouette but I find that most of the young women who pose for me seem to like a little more detail. It still has the impersonal "anywoman" kind of feel to it but I hear that its kind of sexy to be able to see more details. I'd like to read others' opinions of this type of shot.

Yeah, I did shoot the shot too close to the bottom of the dress. This is as good a crop as I could pull outta the picture.

Final shot. No edit other than contrast, punching up the color and slight sharpening. There are a couple of spots that need touch up to my eye. Anyone else? BTW, we were using these shoes for a sil as I wanted to see how the outline looked but they did match the rest of the outfit. Some people don't like the hose with open-toed shoes but I just think the legs are too awesome to toss this shot.

EDIT:
Forgot one I'd already edited.

Thanks,

Kev

Message edited by author 2005-06-08 23:35:34.

art-inept

Olympus C-5060WZ

Canon EF 35mm f/2.0

06/08/2005 07:34:46 PM · #2

nice shots, the last one is very good in my opinion. the second one looks too sharp for some reason, or almost like a render. did you do any sharpening in ps?

06/08/2005 07:37:00 PM · #3

Yeah, I played with the 2nd one a bit. I really played with contrast and color levels to get something I wanted. It's meant to look more like a rendered pinup type shot but still retain some anonymity with the shadows.

Thx

Kev

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

06/09/2005 03:05:40 AM · #4

*bump*
for morning people

pcody

Canon PowerShot G6

06/09/2005 06:06:12 AM · #5

I'm nor nearly where you are in taking this type of photo but here's what I see. My opinion only.
1. Good idea. The shoes are a nice touch. The model looks stiff. I think if her back was arched it would look much more comfortable and be sexier. Her arm blends into the chair to much. Maybe a different placement would have been better, say, extended towards the floor? The way the top of her head is highlighted makes that a center of interest. Finally, there is good highlight lines on her body but they are lost on the legs. The legs become just a massive shape. SO, boiled down, I think you need more definition on her extremities and her pose needs to be reworked
2. Very good pose. I like the smoothness of the processing also. Very much like an air brushed pinup. As far as the exposure goes, it looks like you couldn't decide if it should be a silhouette or not. It looks muddy and the treatment doesn't work for me. It's not a noir or a silhouette or a normal photo. The background is not right in this one. The lightness doesn't fit the mood. I think it would be great with more light on the model.
3. This is the best lighting of the three and a nice pose. There is a mismatch between the message and the background again. The shadows across her stomach and chest aren't needed and I think this one could have had some more fill from camera right.
4. OK for what it is
5. I think I agree with the comment on the picture. The lower angle on the lighting adds highlights in unexpected places and, if you are into that, it's ok but I don't think it makes the planes of her face more attractive. If there wasn't a compelling reason for the lower lights, why not place them higher? Her lips look nice.
Kevin, these are only personal opinions, so I hope you are not offended. A quick look at my profile will show you that I'm not worthy to comment on your work. But you asked.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/09/2005 06:10:48 AM · #6

Fantastic shots, but the first few dark shots are way too oversaturated for my taste.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/09/2005 06:54:59 AM · #7

hey riggs, I dont' think this model is as good as the others you've worked with. Even though I like your lighting, she doesn't seem natural (she looks stiff...even her neck and mouth).

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC for Canon

06/09/2005 07:36:40 AM · #8

Hey, Pat. I appreciate the comments. I'm working to try and understand what I do that people respond to and what I do that turn people off. Your comments are great and appreciated.

Hey, Lori. This model was certainly tenser in her neck and mouth. I mentioned to her that we need to work on those areas 'cause she tends to carry tension and its noticeable. Her body is FANTASTIC and when she relaxed in a few of the shots and gave me a more "everyday" kind of smile or look you can tell the difference. Sadly as I was bracketing shots (well, actually flipping from one f-stop to another) I didn't get the more relaxed looks on any of the good exposures. I do have some more shots from the session to edit and I'll see if I have any photos of her form 'cause as she starts to relax and project more confidence and fun I think she'll really have a good connection for the viewer.

Thanks again for the comments all,

Kev

Discraft

Canon EOS-20D

06/09/2005 07:58:58 AM · #9

I think they are really cool but in my opinion the silhoute ones should be black totally black. that is just my two cents...
I have to ask this do you live in Modelvil or what? you have so many model photography and each and everyone of them are really great...
How do you get that many models... :)

Gil P

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

06/09/2005 08:03:09 AM · #10

while I don't dislike these shots I do feel that the lighting needs some tweaking, the shadow shots in particular would have benifited from some fill.

There is also an issue with model direction, the postures not having been tweaked.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/09/2005 08:18:33 AM · #11

Judging by Kevin's other portfolios I'd say it's the model (as he mentioned) and not him persay. In the very first silhouette you can see her mouth is so tight and tense that it's a wonder we can't hear her grinding her teeth :-)

She does have a smokin' body, she just needs to relax - next time try wine. Or yoga..something to get rid of the stress of the day and her inhibitions (not necessarily so she's sitting around buck nekkid..but hey..whatever).

06/09/2005 09:24:35 AM · #12

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

Or yoga..

Hey, now that's a great idea. I'll see what I can setup with her. I have been looking for people with ballet experience and gear but with the exception of someone who brought their own exercise clothes to a shoot I've not even thought to pursue that style of posing. Thanks

Gil, I would like to discuss some posing with you outside the forum. It may take me a few days as I have some wedding photos to finish up before the bride & groom get back in town. Thanks for the comments.

Discraft, I appreciate the opinion. That's why I posted these semi-silhouettes. I'm trying to figure out what I like and what I don't and hearing what others think about them gives me some different ideas on them. I've heard more than a few comments about "dark," "muddy," and even "off the mark" from several folks. I think I'm hitting around some kind of interpretation but I just don't think I've figured it out yet.

Thanks again all.

Kev

jensmustang

Canon PowerShot S2 IS

06/09/2005 09:29:01 AM · #13

Great shots,,I agree aobut the first one I think she does need to have her back arched a bit to look or appear that she is combortable and it adds sexiness and beauty to it,,but great shots,,

Gil P

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II