Outdoor portraits - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

06/27/2005 11:37:32 PM · #1

Nyuh-huh. Yep. I did go back outside today and shot a series with a lovely young model. Here's what I've edited. Frankly I hate suffering for my art but I hope it finds some ability to inspire some. hehe

This was a fun shoot and the model worked with me on trying some weirdo, artistic shots that I wanted to work on like the one where she's standing in the middle of the road. If I put any effort into any more in that series I'll post them, too. It was just an idea I had about the Americana inherent in driving across the country on a long straight-away and a young beauty in a sexy swimsuit (ladies I do have a couple of male models lined up so maybe I can give you some equal time soon).

Here ya go:

Comments/critiques welcome.

Kev

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

06/27/2005 11:44:39 PM · #2

You do great work Kevin. I'm certainly no expert but this pose seems to be a little unflattering. Same with the one of her standing in the street. The others are great with the first tow being standouts.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

06/27/2005 11:46:51 PM · #3

I love the first 3...great shots. The 4th...she looks sort of pale and her armpits are a different color than the rest of her skin, like deodorant residue or something. Maybe it's just me but I'm not that keen on that one. Her standing in the road is cute; perhaps the side of the road with a bag or something like a hitchiker or some other prop would add more ambiance to the scene. The last one I like, but that pose is a bit unbecoming and almost porn-ish (unless that's the look she wants...and believe me, I'm not a prude). Just my 2 cents.

PhantomEWO

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/27/2005 11:49:06 PM · #4

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Also tend to agree. The first couple tend to have a more homegrown sweet look. The last ones are much more openly sexual. It all depends, a nice warm feeling or a playboy type of feeling. They all have their place. Good work.

06/27/2005 11:52:53 PM · #5

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

this pose seems to be a little unflattering

Which pose was it?

Thanks for the comments.

Kev

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

06/27/2005 11:55:03 PM · #6

Originally posted by laurielblack:

she looks sort of pale and her armpits are a different color than the rest of her skin

Darn it. Yeah, this was in pretty bright conditions. I see the odd coloration under the arms and the forehead. I'll take another run at that one and see what comes of it.

Thanks,

Kev

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

06/28/2005 12:07:06 AM · #7

Originally posted by KevinRiggs:

Originally posted by jbsmithana:
this pose seems to be a little unflattering

Which pose was it?

Thanks for the comments.

Kev

Whoops, sorry. The same one referred to by Laurie. The seated one with her legs spread.

edit: spelling

Message edited by author 2005-06-28 00:12:09.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/28/2005 01:39:00 AM · #8

Ya know, I think I'm as attracted to girls as any normal guy would be (and especially if a little skin is shown). But those last two, in the swim suit, actually turn me off. They don't attract me at all.

But the first three are really quite nice!

Edit:
Perhaps attract is the wrong word ... but she just isn't "appealing to my eye" in these two poses. Is that a better way to say it?

Message edited by author 2005-06-28 01:40:09.

LowLght

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

06/28/2005 02:10:29 AM · #9

I kinda agree. The last photo seems a bit off I think it's the angle of her right leg at the hip. I do like the concept of her in the road but the pose doesn't seem to fit her

[quote=dwterry] Ya know, I think I'm as attracted to girls as any normal guy would be (and especially if a little skin is shown). But those last two, in the swim suit, actually turn me off. They don't attract me at all.

06/28/2005 07:23:22 AM · #10

David & JB,

The goal of the last images wasn't to be "attractive" or "appealing" but more provocative. I guess the feeling I was aiming for when I wrote "Americana" in my description is more of the feeling I felt when I read Updike's A&P. The sensual illicitness (I felt) of the young women wearing bikinis into the store a few decades before such actions might be deemed commonplace. It was the difference between how they should be dressed and how they were and the fact that it had an impact on the clerk regardless. Put a young model with wholesome looks in such an outfit as the black bikini and drop her on the road in what appears to be the middle of Nowhere, America.
This model has the sweet, wholesome look down without trying; its natural to her. Those two shots were her trying to work with me as I tried to create a different presentation for her. If you look at the first 3 shots and like 'em; well, that's pretty much the way she comes across without a lot of effort. Relaxed beauty. The 4th was an attempt on my part but I'm thinking that with the hot weather and my post editing I missed the skintones. The last two are intended to be more "in your face" and less wholesome to take advantage of how that look stands out in her port.

Thanks for commenting.

Kev

06/28/2005 07:31:46 AM · #11

I think the B&w is the best in the lot, here is why...

This model as neither the "height" or the physique to do full frontal standing shots, both the one on the street and the one on the railway reveal her shortness and the fact that her legs are a bit off camber. On the B&W because of the pose, the distance and the angle, the weakness his invisible.

the "armpit" shot can easily be fixed in post but it also illustrates why models with tans are not very popular in commercial photography.

The Rock sitting is a decent shot but I think not enough time was given to model direction.

Like I tld you in other posts, I thnink to many set/costume changes are a problem, it dilutes the shoot into to many smaller ones... I always say, 2outfits maximum, this will provide you with much more time to clearly establish the scene and the mood with your model... try it!

Message edited by author 2005-06-28 07:36:24.

06/28/2005 07:50:50 AM · #12

Originally posted by Gil P:

I think the B&w is the best in the lot, here is why...

Gil,
Thanks for the well-stated comment. Perceptive.

Originally posted by Gil P:

Like I tld you in other posts . . .2 outfits maximum

Now I don't know why I don't remember you mentioning that before. I often have people who bring a ton of outfits. Ya know what's odd is that the more I get into this the more restrictive I get about what I shoot. I know from the abundancies of what I post here it may still be too much but I've actually cut down from where I started. Guess its time to raise the bar a notch and be even more restrictive to get the best shots possible.
Sometimes it seems so easy to focus on the technical qualities of a shot and not the personal (or personnel) direction of the whole shoot.
-SIGH-

Thanks for the time and suggestion.

Kev

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

06/28/2005 08:31:41 AM · #13

well that's just it... I can see why it's attractive to do multiple sets/outfits with a model, you get more varied stuff... but a ton of stuff that is OK does not beat a couple of Great ones!

You've got your tech side fairly well covered so there not much need for discussion about it....so where you need to concentrate your efforts is in the artistry...and that ain't easy... no books, no how toos... it's really a question of two things that when combined make for great imagery"
#1: artistic vision... basically envisioning a scene, the ambiance and the vibe... then locating the best place to create that scene and the props you may need. you put that in a little book and when you find a model that will "fit" that mold, you get going.

#2: Model direction...that is a tough one...but an all important one at that. it's all about learning how to communicate YOUR vision and learning how to establish your role in the "team"... what defines TOP models from the rest is the ability to turn themselves into clay to be molded....and be completly happy about it... when it comes to models with less experience...or worse, models with their own "vision" then it's ultra tricky...but it can be done.

So this is why I say max two outfits/scenes.... this way you can truly get in the zone with your model and after a while begin to create as a team.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

06/28/2005 08:48:15 AM · #14

Kevin - I think I get the look you were going for. My problem with the first two is that they just don't look comfortable for the model. I would think that to pull off the shot as explained you would need that comfort look even if the model is out of her/our element.

The first just looks like an unnatural pose. The second has two issus for me. I think Gil hit it by his comment about stature. In addition, she is standing sort of pigeon toe'd.

Sorry for the quick comment last night as I should have explained my feelings better. Like I said you do good work and I'm no one to give direction. I can just let you know how the photos make me feel.

Message edited by author 2005-06-28 09:01:25.

ClickNSee

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

06/28/2005 08:53:56 AM · #15

Kevin...nice job. I'm not a technical expert like Gil, but these shots (except the last one) are very pleasing to the eye. Several other people have talked about the last one, and I agree, the way she is posed with her legs spread the way they are, this shot looks very pornish. The forth one might be good for just the right kind of ad campaign, but not as a general portrait. The first three I find outstanding in so many ways. Very nice work! Keep up the good work and keep sharing!

06/28/2005 09:51:16 AM · #16

From what I have read from Kevin in the past, while this is a hobby, he's intent on creating stuff that is of the highest caliber possible... and it's with this in mind that I make my comments.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/28/2005 10:06:41 AM · #17

Originally posted by Gil P:

and it's with this in mind that I make my comments.

And that's the way I take it.

I appreciate all the comments. The more time I've spent working on this the more I find that the audience is wide and varied. In some cases, what one group applauds as artistic others find amatuerish and digital by product.

I'm happy with my growth and with the feedback I get on my work. At this point I'll admit to the difficulty of finding that "vision" and having the integrity to not take the "easy" shot. Its difficult enough to come up with a cogent concept that I think I can get across to someone. Moving that from my head to action often seems to take more time and money than I have given so far. I get requests to shoot much of the level I already produce and I seem to be missing out on some subjects that might lend themselves to a longer setup and creative process. Seems like its time to buckle down and be diligent to make that move to more artistic work.

Thanks again,

Kev

superdave_909

Canon EOS-60D

06/28/2005 10:26:36 AM · #18

Personally,

I think the road pic would be great if you had some clouds or something.

As for the last pic, I think it looks great! It's a different style, and quite frankly if you have looked through an Elle Magazine or a Cosmo lately you would see A LOT of images very similar to this!
Not that I read those:D... My wife does... so naturally, I look at the pics!

06/28/2005 10:58:59 AM · #19

That's funny. The business has a subscription to Elle and I have to let my wife look that the mags before I tear out idea pages to put into folders that I look through from time-to-time. Its the most bang for the buck with a yearly subscription.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/28/2005 11:14:47 AM · #20

hey KR, pretty model but not what I'd call your best work. I can't say I'm fond of any of these shots especially compared to your other works.