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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> some haute couture model shots
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 11/07/2004 05:48:16 AM · #1
Hey all. I don't usually post for critique here, but wanted to get some more opinions on a few shots from this past Friday. Any comments greatly appreciated!

#1: Heather in Alaia, dual 550EX's, one stand-mounted with umbrella, 16-35@24mm/2.8


#2: Heather in Valentino, home-built ring light, 16-35@35mm


#3: Heather in Christian Lacroix, dual 550EX's, one hand-held at camera left, hairlight courtesy the sun, 16-35@35mm


#4: Heather in Christian Lacroix, dual 550EX's


#5: Heather in Valentino:


Thanks!
 11/07/2004 06:04:07 AM · #2
Excellent work! I have nothing constructive to say...
 11/07/2004 06:30:23 AM · #3
Hi Chris,

These are really wonderful pictures. They're all setup really well and are very impressive model shots. My only question is about the head shot with the light ring. Did you intend for the ring to be so visible in her eyes? It also seems to create some hot spots on her chin, nose and forehead. Maybe you can soften the light ring with some thin translucent material or plastic - just something to reduce the glare a bit. Otherwise, really outstanding photos!
 11/07/2004 10:12:57 AM · #4
Hmmm... a quick look at the thumbnails told me that #2 (the head shot) was going to easily be my favorite. Then when I clicked on it and saw her eyes, I was totally turned off.

Funny... I was watching something just a couple of nights ago. It might have been "america's top model" or something like that (I had never seen it before so I'm really not sure). Anyway, I swear the photographer had a ring light on his camera ... and I thought ring lights were only used on macros! This *really* intrigued me!

But now that I've seen this shot, I'm not so sure... I guess with the ring light you'd have to really tone it down ... it probably has to be a lot lower power than your primary light source. Plus, you probably can't have the model look straight into the lens so that you avoid having her irises (sp?) ringed by light.

Anyway, just some random thoughts... I am still interested in seeing what more can come from a ring light. So keep playing and keep showing!
 11/07/2004 11:05:59 AM · #5
Originally posted by dwterry:
Anyway, I swear the photographer had a ring light on his camera ... and I thought ring lights were only used on macros! This *really* intrigued me!

But now that I've seen this shot, I'm not so sure...

I don't think that is typically what a professional "ring flash" would look like; the catchlights normally appear as solid donuts of light. See for example, this Elinchrom Ring Flash; it is not made up of individual lights but rather a continuous bulb all the way around the ring.

Message edited by author 2004-11-07 11:06:27.
 11/07/2004 03:51:20 PM · #6
Originally posted by EddyG:
I don't think that is typically what a professional "ring flash" would look like; the catchlights normally appear as solid donuts of light. See for example, this Elinchrom Ring Flash; it is not made up of individual lights but rather a continuous bulb all the way around the ring.


Eddy is exactly right here. However, $1200 for a single flash unit, plus need for the rest of the setup is way out of most people's price range for a specialty light. Some people absolutely LOVE the look of these catchlights (even the home-built version) and some people hate it.

The ring light, in full-body shot, can produce some really nice results. It's a unique look that you come to recognize as a ringflash/ring light look. Typically, the ringlight is used as the only light source, due to its shadowing (or lack of shadowing) characteristics.

Here's another shot, you may be able to ignore the catchlights:


11/07/2004 03:52:30 PM · #7
Originally posted by tyt2000:
Excellent work! I have nothing constructive to say...


Thanks a lot! Anything less than constructive is also welcome ;)
 11/07/2004 03:55:40 PM · #8
Originally posted by PhilipDyer:
Hi Chris,

These are really wonderful pictures. They're all setup really well and are very impressive model shots. My only question is about the head shot with the light ring. Did you intend for the ring to be so visible in her eyes? It also seems to create some hot spots on her chin, nose and forehead. Maybe you can soften the light ring with some thin translucent material or plastic - just something to reduce the glare a bit. Otherwise, really outstanding photos!


I had intended for the catchlights to be very visible. I hadn't considered a diffusion material for the light, with between 650-1200 watts continuous coming out of the rig, I don't know what I could use that would still allow me to shoot through the center...

Thanks for the comments!
 11/07/2004 04:14:38 PM · #9
Do you have any instructions for how you constructed your ring light? I'd be very interested to hear how you made it.
 11/07/2004 04:19:40 PM · #10
Some really stunning work there, Chris. I think my favourites are #3 and #4. My only negative point is the model holding the purse in the first shot. I guess the shot could be to show off the clothes and accessories, but it doesn't seem to fit in well with the shot for me. I'm not sure why, but it seemed to draw my attention.
 11/07/2004 04:20:40 PM · #11
Originally posted by animes2k:
#1: Heather in Alaia, dual 550EX's, one stand-mounted with umbrella, 16-35@24mm/2.8


This shot is incredible (I liked them all, but this blew me away)... It's like she's walking out of the painting in the back... Wonderfully done!
 11/07/2004 04:30:05 PM · #12
Hey! I saw your post on FM boards earlier!
11/07/2004 06:36:48 PM · #13
#1 - I love the composition of this shot. The position of the arms, and the right hand in particular, detracts a little, but it's minor compared to the impact of position relative to the frame.

#2 - I don't know how to explain this, but I would like to see a little more depth of field so there is more sharp elements to work with the hard light created by the ring flash. Still a very interesting and enjoyable image to view.

#3 - I like the lighting and the composition a lot. The deep green grass overpowers the subtle color of her dress.

#4 - Great lighting on the model and great eyes too. In this case I think you need less depth of field to add separation between the model and the background.

#5 - The mirror is cool, I think you could have done something with it to add more interest (dress unzipped or similar). The shiny metal things on the wall between the subject and the mirror are distracting.

Thanks for posting
 11/07/2004 06:41:11 PM · #14
Wonderful work. The lighting in the outdoors shots looks very natural.

I realy like the ringlight effect, you say it is a home made one.

Any chance of you sharing the design?
 11/07/2004 06:47:15 PM · #15
Very nice. I am most impressed with #2.

Please excuse my ignorance, but what does "haute couture" mean?
11/07/2004 06:51:32 PM · #16
Originally posted by spydr:
Very nice. I am most impressed with #2.

Please excuse my ignorance, but what does "haute couture" mean?


Elegant, designer fashion... aka more pricey than I will ever be able to afford! ;o)

Great shots, all of them. I do want to say that #4 doesn't really flatter her figure all that well...she's got a beautiful shape and the lines on the dress just don't accent her IMHO. The rest are stunning, as is she. Great work! :o)

Message edited by author 2004-11-07 18:51:40.
 11/07/2004 09:10:51 PM · #17
Originally posted by hlswilson:
Do you have any instructions for how you constructed your ring light? I'd be very interested to hear how you made it.


Since I've had so much request for this, I did go ahead this evening and post the closest thing to a tutorial I think I can manage... See it here:

//www.noestudios.com/photo/ringlight/

Thanks for checking it out!

Message edited by author 2004-11-07 21:23:38.
 11/07/2004 09:12:00 PM · #18
Originally posted by PaulMdx:
Some really stunning work there, Chris. I think my favourites are #3 and #4. My only negative point is the model holding the purse in the first shot. I guess the shot could be to show off the clothes and accessories, but it doesn't seem to fit in well with the shot for me. I'm not sure why, but it seemed to draw my attention.


Paul, thanks a lot. I hadn't noticed that before with the purse, but I think you're right - it's doesn't quite complement the dress that well.
 11/07/2004 09:12:59 PM · #19
Originally posted by myqyl:
Originally posted by animes2k:
#1: Heather in Alaia, dual 550EX's, one stand-mounted with umbrella, 16-35@24mm/2.8


This shot is incredible (I liked them all, but this blew me away)... It's like she's walking out of the painting in the back... Wonderfully done!


Thank you! It was just so perfectly set. She was very patient in taking my direction... "just a little to the left, no no, too far, to the right, ok, turn your head...." :)
 11/07/2004 09:13:34 PM · #20
Originally posted by hsteg:
Hey! I saw your post on FM boards earlier!


That would be me. :) Gotta love both these forums.
 11/07/2004 09:15:28 PM · #21
Originally posted by Nusbaum:
#5 - The mirror is cool, I think you could have done something with it to add more interest (dress unzipped or similar). The shiny metal things on the wall between the subject and the mirror are distracting.

Thanks for posting


Thanks for the in-depth comments, Nusbaum. Very helpful indeed.
If I wasn't so rushed, I probably would have noticed that spoon rack or whatever hanging there and removed it... Now I think I *really* want to spend the time to remove it digitally. :)

Thanks again!
 11/07/2004 09:16:41 PM · #22
Originally posted by Natator:
Wonderful work. The lighting in the outdoors shots looks very natural.
I realy like the ringlight effect, you say it is a home made one.
Any chance of you sharing the design?


Thanks, Natator. I was pretty amazed at the results I could get from two 550's. And very pleased with the outdoor shots. I mentioned this in a previous reply, but have a go at this:

//www.noestudios.com/photo/ringlight/

Message edited by author 2004-11-07 21:23:54.
 11/07/2004 09:22:13 PM · #23
Originally posted by spydr:
Very nice. I am most impressed with #2.
Please excuse my ignorance, but what does "haute couture" mean?


Thanks sypdr.

laurie had it right... Expensive designer clothes nobody can afford. :) They're on loan to me and they (mostly) fit Heather rather well. Each of those dresses is in the $4,000 to $5,000 range -- each. Although I'm against fur for moral reasons, these are on loan... the fox in #3 is real and probably in the $12,000-$15,000 range.

from TheFreeDictionary.com:
French:
haute: feminine of haut, high, elegant
couture: sewing
"high fashion, high style"

"haute cuisine" is the same thing, but food instead of fashion.
 11/07/2004 09:23:23 PM · #24
Originally posted by laurielblack:
Great shots, all of them. I do want to say that #4 doesn't really flatter her figure all that well...she's got a beautiful shape and the lines on the dress just don't accent her IMHO. The rest are stunning, as is she. Great work! :o)


I agree wholeheartedly on #4... I don't think the dress is very flattering to her at all, but it's SUCH a crazy fun dress, I had to have her wear it :) Thanks for the great words!
 11/07/2004 10:35:05 PM · #25
Thanks for the tute on the ringlight ...

I had pictured one of the ringlights that surround the lens .... wow, the lens that attaches to must be a big sucker!!!!!!!!!
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