New studio photos - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 90-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM

03/11/2005 04:10:56 AM · #1

These were dressier photos. I wanted to try incorporating a prop with these; hence the flower in the first two. The last photo is an attempt at using lighting and shadow to create more atmosphere or depth in my studio work. What do you think?

Thanks,

Kev

aussie

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

03/11/2005 04:14:14 AM · #2

Lovely work Kevin. I really like the second one as the model has a very natural look about her. The lighing on the last one is a tad overexposed, however, it's certainly a lovely shot.
Beautifully done.

Lydia

Tranquil

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

03/11/2005 07:00:44 AM · #3

Some nice stuff as always Kev. I agree with the below about the last one that the lighting is too harsh, both in the shadows and highlights which detracts from the model as the subject a little bit. Just a nitpick but something to take note of. The angle of the model towards you in the first one is a little awkward. I would probably have her turn more towards you , or even just her head slightly. Once again these are only minor considerations. The second shot is the *one& from this set. Great shot.

I realize you have been working extensively in an effort to master your studio lighting. I wonder if you have ever thought about doing some outdoor shoots again. I think that everyone really enjoyed those shots and I wonder if it would be a fun and good idea for you to try that again, especially with the camera. Just a thought!

Thanks for sharing with us :)

Lee

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

03/11/2005 07:10:04 AM · #4

Thanks, Lee.

I can see the angle in that first one. Yep, none of those shots really "felt" right but I thought I'd put it out there and see. For someone as phenomenally trim as she is, the angle coupled with the dress just didn't work so well but I didn't want to cut the shot off at the forearm. I think the upper body might be helped with the nearest shoulder back a little more. And the 3rd shot was just a shot in the dark & light as it were. I wanted to get a shadow on her face the left her more anonymous but light her body to show her slender but feminine form.

I have outdoor work planned again starting in April (weather permitting).

Thanks again,

Kev

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

03/11/2005 11:09:20 AM · #5

Was the color shift in the blue backgrounds of the top two pics intentional? I like the third pic best as its composition is the more interesting of the three the way the viewer's eye is lead from the upper left and down to lower right where hand meets heel. The neutral color of the background also compliments the color of the dress and I also like the detail you've brought out in the dress and blouse. Possibly a bit of dodging to the model's left shoulder and face?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/11/2005 11:35:43 AM · #6

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

Was the color shift in the blue backgrounds of the top two pics intentional?

Well, only in that I had a mis-fire on a flash due to my sync cord problem and in trying to get a close match the blues got off. I did not start to expose the 2nd shot with the intention of a color shift; that was just the outcome. I replaced the cord and didn't notice the problem again.

[quote]Possibly a bit of dodging to the model's left shoulder and face?[/quote] (in 3rd photo)

If you're asking whether I dodged anything I haven't. I screwed with the brightness and contrast but didn't edit any small areas except for 2 dust spots.

Thanks for the comments,

Kev

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/11/2005 12:34:26 PM · #7

The lighting in the top one is nice, but it's what I'd call "safe" lighting..as in, it's nice but flat. I think you have enough experience that you could be more daring and get some great results. Especially with slim models (they're easier to light then someone with rolls here and there that need to be covered up!).

Have fun and let us know how the next shoot goes.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

03/12/2005 12:41:22 AM · #8

Hey Kevin... there's a lot of blue in the "whites" of the eyes in #2. Even the skin color has a bluish cast to it. I was just wondering if that is intentional or missed.

I played with it in photoshop just a bit. I found that simply neutralizing the whites in here eyes made her skin too orange. So I guess what I'm really asking is this:

If you were to decide to neutralize the color, what technique would you use?

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

03/12/2005 01:38:55 AM · #9

Originally posted by dwterry:

If you were to decide to neutralize the color, what technique would you use?

Here's a step I'd take off the top of my head. I'd toss on a Color Balance layer (Layer | Adjustment Layer | Color Balance). I'd set my color via that Color Balance layer so that the eyes were what you wanted. I'd then slap a Layer Mask onto that layer, Hit F6 for the color palette, choose Black (RGB # 0,0,0) adn the Paint tool (G) and paint that whole layer out with the mask. I'd switch my color back to white (255,255,255) via the palette (F6), switch to the Brush tool (B) and paint the properly colored eyes back in by making sure the Layer Mask was highlighted in the Layers tool (F7). That way my adjustment wouldn't apply to anything except the eyes.

Kev

David.C

03/12/2005 03:25:48 AM · #10

The model seems a bit off balance in the first one, but I think it comes from the near vertical line the flower stem and her hair create. They give me the impression she is leaning, perhaps up against a wall or window, but without the wall or window present she seems off balance -- if I'm being clear enough.

The third on seems strained to me. She does not seem to have a purpose for the pose. I think this could have been helped with a less rigidly straight body -- a bit of a a bow or bend would do wonders to add more of a sense of motion; that she has some purpose for having her leg up.

Just my impressions.

David

vivien

Sony DSC-F717

03/12/2005 05:58:23 AM · #11

I don't know much about studio lighting yet,(if I keep hang out on this site I will) but your photos are really nice to look at.