| Author | Thread |
|
|
09/19/2010 10:43:05 PM · #1 |
So, as you may know (especially if you've looked at my portfolio) I don't do much people photography... I'm trying to change that.. Started dabbling in the realm of shooting models today, and had quite a bit of fun. Not sure if I'm 100% thrilled with all of my results, but we got what she wanted, and quite a bit more really, so I guess it was a success...
So, here are some of the results, any input/advice/criticism would be great.
ETA: Time of day was absolutely non-negotiable today... She was working with another photographer later (damn..).. Next time we're going to go out and shoot during the evening.
Message edited by author 2010-09-19 22:44:55. |
|
|
|
09/19/2010 11:14:06 PM · #2 |
| how honest do you want us to be? |
|
|
|
09/19/2010 11:20:05 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by JulietNN:
how honest do you want us to be? |
Beat me with a spiky stick coated in burning napalm.
Note that I only really like these two, so if you wanna hit me where it hurts go for those :)
Message edited by author 2010-09-19 23:21:40. |
|
|
|
09/19/2010 11:25:45 PM · #4 |
the last one is the best of the lot.
the reasons: (this is more model than you right now)
In the first picture: The dress is hideous. That pink bow cuts her off right underneath her boobs, which is not flattering to anyone. Her neck is squished into her shoulder, making her look weird, she needs to do the chicken neck for this dress. Her legs need panty hose, as she is sporting very blotchy, possibly just bruised legs. You need to be able to slim her legs whilst posing so she doesnt look so two legged, she needs to stride with one leg in front of the other more like a cat walk right now it look like she is stomping towards you.Hr toe needs to be pointing towards the floor versus in mid-stride which makes her look odd. Her arms are not graceful.
2nd pic: She needs to wear a bra, her boobs look saggy when you are shooting her from above. Her knees look knocked. She needs to have her hair swept back as she has no neck and her head needs to be more of an angle and backwards to give her neck and not look like she has just a head. The dress angle makes her look square.
3rd pic. Is just wrong on so many levels, you can see up her nose, which is not nice. she looks like she is 400 pounds as she has no neck. Her jaw line is just wrong and looks like a square that went wrong. her cheeks look really fat and not flattering at all. Her teeth, look like they are very bucked eyed.. Again, her hair needs sweeping back to make her look like she has cheekbones and jaw line. At this angle and light, it looks like her foundation was put on with a trowel.
The 4th one is the best (IMOP), I would still like to see her hair swept back to accent her cheekbones and jawline, but it is the best of the bunch.
NOW remember, this may seem harsh to you, BUT half of this is your job as well. You want and need to be able to take the best possible photo of her, so you need to give her direction on how to move, how to place her head, where to sit/stand, etc. This is your job. The dress is not yours, but you should make sure that a model brings several outfits for you.
|
|
|
|
09/20/2010 02:21:47 AM · #5 |
| Here is my critique: I think you should be more blunt and honest and try offer more specific details in your feedback, Juliet. :P |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 02:49:51 AM · #6 |
I've only just started photographing people too, Cory. What I find fascinating is what they think looks good is so often the exact opposite. I've had many, many years of experience having my headshot taken, and I can tell you that it is up to the photographer to help me look my best on-camera. This includes bringing a change of clothes (because no matter how many times you tell them what works on camera, they are sure to wear the exact opposite). I usually brought 5-10 choices. I make my subjects bring at least 3.
Juliet's points are all really valid, but I also see that the bg of most of the images is way too busy to make a good headshot, and not flattering enough to be fashion shots. The overhead images are unnaturally emphasizing her boobs (which might be appealing to the male population), but are not attractive. The image from below is pretty scary, and makes her skin look really awful. The last one is also my pick of the lot: the lighting is even (although it is rather flat), and it makes her look the best. And again, the bg is too busy. |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 03:07:30 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by JulietNN:
the last one is the best of the lot.
the reasons: (this is more model than you right now)
In the first picture: The dress is hideous. That pink bow cuts her off right underneath her boobs, which is not flattering to anyone. Her neck is squished into her shoulder, making her look weird, she needs to do the chicken neck for this dress. Her legs need panty hose, as she is sporting very blotchy, possibly just bruised legs. You need to be able to slim her legs whilst posing so she doesnt look so two legged, she needs to stride with one leg in front of the other more like a cat walk right now it look like she is stomping towards you.Hr toe needs to be pointing towards the floor versus in mid-stride which makes her look odd. Her arms are not graceful.
2nd pic: She needs to wear a bra, her boobs look saggy when you are shooting her from above. Her knees look knocked. She needs to have her hair swept back as she has no neck and her head needs to be more of an angle and backwards to give her neck and not look like she has just a head. The dress angle makes her look square.
3rd pic. Is just wrong on so many levels, you can see up her nose, which is not nice. she looks like she is 400 pounds as she has no neck. Her jaw line is just wrong and looks like a square that went wrong. her cheeks look really fat and not flattering at all. Her teeth, look like they are very bucked eyed.. Again, her hair needs sweeping back to make her look like she has cheekbones and jaw line. At this angle and light, it looks like her foundation was put on with a trowel.
The 4th one is the best (IMOP), I would still like to see her hair swept back to accent her cheekbones and jawline, but it is the best of the bunch.
NOW remember, this may seem harsh to you, BUT half of this is your job as well. You want and need to be able to take the best possible photo of her, so you need to give her direction on how to move, how to place her head, where to sit/stand, etc. This is your job. The dress is not yours, but you should make sure that a model brings several outfits for you. |
Hard to argue with any of that except to add that experienced models should know how to pose themselves not to mention know their own bodies and what looks good on them and what doesn't. That's not to say the photographer shouldn't be involved just that the responsibility rests more on the model in that regard. There are exceptions but normally, the photographer should just communicate the concept and the model interprets it with their poses. Of course it could be that the photographer simply didn't give enough instructions about what he wanted to see from the outset.
Message edited by author 2010-09-20 03:09:40.
|
|
|
|
09/20/2010 06:02:29 AM · #8 |
Don't let all this good criticism discourage you. I struggle with shooting people all the time. What I have done in the past is bring examples of poses or looks to show the model what looks good, then make adjustments from there. This is your first time, so work on one aspect at a time. All those things about clothing,hair,makeup will come later. Work on location and lighting. The rest will come with practice. Your comfort level will rise and soon all those details will start to be part of your routine.
Practice,practice,practice.
|
|
|
|
09/20/2010 09:10:33 AM · #9 |
I think that finding a model that knows how to pose is half the problem these days. On MM there are plenty of models. I would say doing a full body shot is one of the hardest things to pose for. I have found that 1/2 the time I am teaching the models how to pose, telling them where to put their chins, how to point their toes etc. I have had to teach an experienced model how to walk in high heels as she had never done it before , she had always just stood in shoes and never walked in them.
As you said, you didn't have a choice in the day, so that does explain your lighting, but finding shady areas could have helped. You are tack sharp in your photos and the colours are good. But as you can see, it is the model and the backgrounds that make or break your shots.
And please, don't think I am being mean to the model or slamming her in anyway way. That is not the case. |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 09:32:04 AM · #10 |
| Not a bad start - I've seen a LOT worse!! : ) I commented on a few. Another consideration when you are shooting a model out and about, find a solid wall (preferably in the shade). I have four alleys downtown that I use regularly for my models, because of the colors/textures. Then you aren't shooting them with distracting backgrounds. : ) |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 09:41:01 AM · #11 |
| They would all be improved with liberal use of flaming props. Flame-thrower, torches, and the like. I find that adds some interest and an element of danger. |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 10:50:30 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by JulietNN:
the last one is the best of the lot.
the reasons: (this is more model than you right now)
In the first picture: The dress is hideous. That pink bow cuts her off right underneath her boobs, which is not flattering to anyone. Her neck is squished into her shoulder, making her look weird, she needs to do the chicken neck for this dress. Her legs need panty hose, as she is sporting very blotchy, possibly just bruised legs. You need to be able to slim her legs whilst posing so she doesnt look so two legged, she needs to stride with one leg in front of the other more like a cat walk right now it look like she is stomping towards you.Hr toe needs to be pointing towards the floor versus in mid-stride which makes her look odd. Her arms are not graceful.
2nd pic: She needs to wear a bra, her boobs look saggy when you are shooting her from above. Her knees look knocked. She needs to have her hair swept back as she has no neck and her head needs to be more of an angle and backwards to give her neck and not look like she has just a head. The dress angle makes her look square.
3rd pic. Is just wrong on so many levels, you can see up her nose, which is not nice. she looks like she is 400 pounds as she has no neck. Her jaw line is just wrong and looks like a square that went wrong. her cheeks look really fat and not flattering at all. Her teeth, look like they are very bucked eyed.. Again, her hair needs sweeping back to make her look like she has cheekbones and jaw line. At this angle and light, it looks like her foundation was put on with a trowel.
The 4th one is the best (IMOP), I would still like to see her hair swept back to accent her cheekbones and jawline, but it is the best of the bunch.
NOW remember, this may seem harsh to you, BUT half of this is your job as well. You want and need to be able to take the best possible photo of her, so you need to give her direction on how to move, how to place her head, where to sit/stand, etc. This is your job. The dress is not yours, but you should make sure that a model brings several outfits for you. |
I sooo owe you a beer... Thanks!!!! (wow, what an awesome critique) |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 10:54:21 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by JulietNN:
I think that finding a model that knows how to pose is half the problem these days. On MM there are plenty of models. I would say doing a full body shot is one of the hardest things to pose for. I have found that 1/2 the time I am teaching the models how to pose, telling them where to put their chins, how to point their toes etc. I have had to teach an experienced model how to walk in high heels as she had never done it before , she had always just stood in shoes and never walked in them.
As you said, you didn't have a choice in the day, so that does explain your lighting, but finding shady areas could have helped. You are tack sharp in your photos and the colours are good. But as you can see, it is the model and the backgrounds that make or break your shots.
And please, don't think I am being mean to the model or slamming her in anyway way. That is not the case. |
Of course not, as a matter of a fact, all of the feedback will be provided to her as well - as she needs to improve as much as I do :) |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 10:54:48 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by love:
Not a bad start - I've seen a LOT worse!! : ) I commented on a few. Another consideration when you are shooting a model out and about, find a solid wall (preferably in the shade). I have four alleys downtown that I use regularly for my models, because of the colors/textures. Then you aren't shooting them with distracting backgrounds. : ) |
Great idea, thanks love! |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 10:57:31 AM · #15 |
| Sure. Everyone gets a thanks but me. See if I ever take the time again to give you a critique. >:-( |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 11:19:15 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Sure. Everyone gets a thanks but me. See if I ever take the time again to give you a critique. >:-( |
Shut up slippy. :)
 |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 11:27:21 AM · #17 |
Oh FINE! HE gets thanked but now I'm feeling like The Little Match Girl!!!!
LOL! Just kidding, Cory. Seriously. |
|
|
|
09/20/2010 11:28:04 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by tanguera:
Oh FINE! HE gets thanked but now I'm feeling like The Little Match Girl!!!!
LOL! Just kidding, Cory. Seriously. |
:) |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/30/2025 12:46:18 PM EDT.
