Michelle at the beach

Artforms · #1 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 01:16 AM

Shot this at Garden City Beach, SC last weekend.

Jim

RSStory · #2 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 12:07 PM

Just a few things bothering me with this one.

1. the sand on her knee
2. cropped off her toes
3. that hair across her face (although that is pretty minor.)
4. I have found that the best beach images keep the detail in the water and sky. Here you are blown out all over the place in the background and that for me is a distraction.

Artforms · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSStory

Just a few things bothering me with this one.

1. the sand on her knee
2. cropped off her toes
3. that hair across her face (although that is pretty minor.)
4. I have found that the best beach images keep the detail in the water and sky. Here you are blown out all over the place in the background and that for me is a distraction.

Sand on her knee? It's the beach. What can I say, there's sand there.
Cropped off toes? No, they are not cropped off. Her foot is part way in the sand. It's not a solid surface.
Wind blown hair. Yep
I decided to do something different. The early morning sun kept most of the details of the water and sky blown out. I was fine with that and it was one of her favorites.

RSStory · #4 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 01:15 PM

The toes dont look like they are buried in the sand, they look cropped off to me.

Yes it is a beach but the sand on her knee looks like you just werent paying attention to details.

The details were blown out because of you aperature not the time of the day. I would assume that you didnt have a light out there with you so that can be a challenge for sure but you cant blame it on the time of day.

It isnt surprising to me that the model loved it. It is a good image. Just could have been better. On the other hand, models are not known for their ability to pick the best shots as their favorites. If this was a paid shoot for a portrait customer and she loves it and buys prints then you did your job. If it is a tfcd/portfolio shoot then I would say that this may be better then what she has (I dont know if it is or not) but in my mind it isnt good enough.

On another note... Your response comes off like you are making excuses or just didnt want a negative opinion... You are aware that the whole point of this board is for critiques right? If you post here it is open to all critiques even if you dont agree. I just saw that some of the same comments have been made on another site about this shot and you have the same response's their... This is not a great shot. Accept it or not.

RSStory · #5 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 01:24 PM

On the other board I mentioned you brought up Andy McFarlands work... Here is an example of that work and it shows what I was talking about with the sand and the background....

Jim Peters · #6 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 01:45 PM

I Pretty Much Agree With Everyone.However Hair in the Face Today Is a Very trendy Thing To Do. Models Ask Me for It Many Times.If You Notice In Andy Mcfarlad's Shot He Exercises The Tip ,Turn,Twist and Tilt Techniqes That Gives The Photo Demention. I See Alot Of Just Straight On Shots On this Site. TIP, TURN,TWIST And TILT Your Model.See The The Little Grass Hut Shot In My Porfile.This Dementional Pose Sells A lot For My Studio.And It Will For You!
Jim Peters

soupman · #7 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 06:58 AM

Ok. You have my curiosity piqued. Explain the Tip, Turn, Twist and Tilt technique. I think I understand...but would rather hear it better defined.

Hdvannjr · #8 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 07:23 AM

Jim, I am in agreement with Soupman. Can you be a bit more specific? Do the actions you describe pertain to specific body parts?

Jim Peters · #9 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 11:15 AM

Ok Guys This Is PP Of A 101.Take Your Exising Pose,Turn It To The Side.Arch Her Back,Tip Her Head,Then Try Tilting Her Head.Shoot From Many Angles Causeing Her to Twist With You.
Exceptions: A Very Thin Girl Will Disapear If You Turn Her Too Much.A Heavy Subject Will love You For It.Also You Dont Want A Lot Of Creases On The Body!
Mcfarland Has Exercised Most Of This In His shot.
Even Though Michelle Has a Good S Curve To Her Body,The Optics Give A Wide Look To the Mid Section Of This Pose. Mcfarland Still Maintains Posture And Expression In HIS Model's Photo.A Very DEMENTIONAL Shot.Kudos to Him!
Now Practice,Soon It Will Be Like Falling Off Of A Tree!
JP