Julianna

Stecyk · #1 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 06:31 PM

Julianna was one of the first models I photographed. I think she was the third model. And thus, there is definitely room for improvement.

I used natural light for all three shots.

Feel free to comment on these shots.

r_fredrick_smith · #2 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 06:49 PM

Basic nice shots. #1 is the best and most interesting and makes good use of the background. #2 is okay, but has the column sort of growing out of the head. I always try to shoot so that model's head doesnt appear in front of poles, branches, columns, etc. With less DOF, this would thus work better. #3 is an example of the oversmile. Given the camera angle, I think it would work better with eye contact, and the headed tilted down a little more. Then work on curbing back the smile --- often a hint of a smile is much more intriging. Lot's of models have problems with the big smile (I call it the oversmile) which put lots of lines and creases in the face.
cheers,
rfs

Stecyk · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 07:06 PM

Roger, I agree with all your comments. I really like the first shot too. I like the symmetry of the stairs and the angle.

Shot 2 is interesting. What you don't see is that there was a person walking in the building that has been successfully cloned out and I even remembered to fix the reflection on the water. But you're right, though, it does suffer from the inappropriate positioning. I hadn't even thought to check. So I was sooooo focused on the model, I didn't even check to see her position relative to the background. If I were to do this shot over again, I'd get lower so that the top of the stairs didn't cut her neck off and to show her great legs better. And I'd make sure that her head was between the posts.

Shot 3 I like because that's how I remember her, with a huge smile. And I like the reflection in her eyes and the natural lighting in her hair. You're right though, her smile is definitely huge. What I dislike more, though, is the dark background. Given that it was a cold, overcast day, I should have tried to position her against a lighter background.

Thank you for your feedback.

Arbib · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 09:10 PM

I like #1 for the angle..but a bit contrasty...
#2 has the most interesting BG..But, as Rodger has pointed out..A slight shift on your part, to make sure she is centered between two columns would have made this one my favorite.

Stecyk · #5 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arbib

I like #1 for the angle..but a bit contrasty...
#2 has the most interesting BG..But, as Rodger has pointed out..A slight shift on your part, to make sure she is centered between two columns would have made this one my favorite.

Thank you for your comments.

Out of curiosity, how does the first photo compare to those who used saturated contrasty films before digital? In other words, is it way out there?

Arbib · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stecyk

Thank you for your comments.

Out of curiosity, how does the first photo compare to those who used saturated contrasty films before digital? In other words, is it way out there?

Not out there, no..

There are a few films from Fuji that offer higher color saturation and contrast. But they are for Landscape mainly..the films for Portraits are lower saturation and contrast to offer a softer effect..

With Digital..I set my camera to -2 contrast and -1 saturation.. I can bring it up in post if needed...(My DSLR has bold jumps from -2 to +2 in these settings)

Sometimes in Outdoor settings, the light is too bright and can cause more contrast than you want or need...In those cases, find some open shade, Or a well lit area without the direct sunlight. Or believe it or not, use a fill flash (at a lower power setting, 1/2 or 1/4). This will help control the local contrast on your model.

Stecyk · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 11:12 PM

Out of curiosity, I went to Kodak's Portra VC (Vivid Color) and they do show it being used for portraits and beauty shots.

If you go to this page:

KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160NC and 160VC Film

And view the Portra Film Image Gallery in the lower right hand corner, you'll see both NC and VC film shots.

So I agree, I don't think my shots are way out there. It might be a matter of personal preference to some degree. It is worth trying different approaches and styles.

I think my camera is set on 0s throughout and I start from a reasonably even settings in Adobe's Raw Converter.

Sometimes in Outdoor settings, the light is too bright and can cause more contrast than you want or need...In those cases, find some open shade, Or a well lit area without the direct sunlight. Or believe it or not, use a fill flash (at a lower power setting, 1/2 or 1/4). This will help control the local contrast on your model.

Luckily in my case it was very overcast or it would have been worse. I am going to be using the Strobist approach this summer, so I will be experimenting with off camera flash.

Thank you for your comments.