[skipper954]

Another image of Sasha, also taken late in the morning, but the pose is more natural and the shadows aren't intrusive.

Obviously there is a fair amount of post processing with shadows, highlights and levels to create the effect I wanted.

I am a sucker for compositions using strong diagonals, and so I like this one for its lines.

As I look at it after submission, I should have framed it, but I am a bit lazy.

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[Dabhand16]

Like this one more, Skip. Not sure about the sand on her body, though. Can't make my mind up if there should have been more, that is a more even spread over more of her, or none at all.

[Steve]

Its all in the details

You have cropped her right hand and her right leg is burried in the sand making her look like an amputee and unfortunately no amount of post processing will allow you to work around mid day shooting in harsh light. It all about the form and the curves, in this light we are loseing so much of that.

The pose is much better overall though...

Do you have any shots from the beginning of this shoot, I realise that it was delayed due to her being late but the earlier ones must benefit from softer light (even if its only a little)

I guess this shoot is doing wonders for your learning curve.

Sorry for being so harsh

[skipper954]

Come on, Steve....it is just her fingertips!

I do have images from early on, but as in most shoots, the model and photographer relax and get to work better with each other later in the shoot.

[fionaB]

Skip i like this one much better.......... but like has already been said, the light is too harsh. the pose is much more natural and i kinda like the sand on her, makes it look more relaxed and less set up

Fiona

[skipper954]

Thanks, Fi

What do you mean by the light is too harsh? Too much contrast? Blown highlights on her chest? What? I was going for a bit higher contrast here, and maybe I can burn the highlights a bit. Don't know.

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[fionaB]

yep too bright.............. maybe its just me but i think it would be better with softer light. not as hard on her skin, after all a woman is meant to be seen as soft and alluring.not sure if thats the right word............ but i dont think hte light is right for this

Fiona

[Steve]

Originally Posted by skipper954

Come on, Steve....it is just her fingertips!

I know its just her fingertips however there was no reason to not have them in frame, you have enough spare room on the right, the beech is a big place you could have taken one step back, you could have zoomed out a little etc...I can (sortof) forgive the leg) but not the fingers when you are shooting specifically form/people AND they were intended to be in shot...I have said it before and will again, its really is all in the details

Originally Posted by skipper954

I do have images from early on, but as in most shoots, the model and photographer relax and get to work better with each other later in the shoot.

Have you worked with Sasha previous to this shoot or was this the first time? I think under the circumstances and since she turned up so late I would have been very tempted to abandon and reschedule the shoot for a earlier on another day or possibly much later for the evening light. As Fiona has said the light should be soft for these kinds of shoots and you are much more likely to see high key from a studio shoot rather than a nude beech session.

[skipper954]

Steve....you are right, of course. My tempo of shooting is very much like a fashion shoot where the model moves, hits poses and the photographer goes clickclickclick and, I guess, hopes to hit some shots.

As I think about it, that may not be the best way for me to shoot. I once went on a teaching fotoshoot, and the teacher said that when he shoots a model, he may spend 2 or 3 hours on a shoot and take only 12 shots! At the time, I thought it was balony, but I think that I have to take more time to compose my shots.

And you are correct about the lighting. In retrospect, we should have rescheduled.

That is why I am here...to learn.

Thanks for your very important input.

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[Gary Bagshawe]

2-3 hours for 12 shots, I hope that was for 12 final selected shots otherwise I would have shot him/her. If you spend too much time trying to get the perfect pose the model will very quickly become bored and fed up.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by skipper954

Steve....you are right, of course. My tempo of shooting is very much like a fashion shoot where the model moves, hits poses and the photographer goes clickclickclick and, I guess, hopes to hit some shots.

You have to remember that on a fashion shoot it is just the same as anywhere else. There are hours of preparation and planning put in. The clothes, the make up the hair, the lighting, the location etc are all planned in advance. Its also likely that the photographer has spoken at length with the model to guide and direct him/her in the way that (s)he wants as the shoot progresses, only after all this prep and understanding will the model begin to work and the photographer shoot…yes it may be hectic for those five minutes but that’s the most prepared and planed for five minutes of the whole shoot, where everyone knows exactly what is supposed to happen. They are also the most important five minutes and without all the stuff that came before even the best photographer in the world would be lucky to get good results.

My point…it is preparation, planning and quality that counts, not quantity. Without it you will spend hours, days or even weeks on a beech and all you’ll get is sunburned I can assure you that a fashion photographer might hope for good shots but its their skill and preperation that gives them their results and pays their bills.

HTH

[skipper954]

Gary - the photographers wife was the model in most cases. Makes for a happy marriage

Steve....thanks for the clarification.....makes perfect sense. I have a lot to learn

But you know something? That is why I joined Pixalo.....the quality of the comments is unsurpassed by anything else I have seen.

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