Model Shot

[geekninja]

Attempt at a fashion shoot. l have my own thoughts on what works and what doesn't, but critiques are welcome.

[Ric]

The really only thing I don't like about this is that bar coming out of her butt... That is the way it looks... Should be very careful of your backgrounds when shooting with the natural surroundings. PS it out and see how much better it is. I would leave the other "junk" in though to give it the Alley look...

[geekninja]

Thanks for the feedback

Ric -
Good catch, I straight didn't notice the bar. It was shot in a building being torn down, so the junky look was intentional, but that's a distraction.

thinkbigger -
Well I wasn't going for hooker, but okay. I'm not arguing with your opinion, but you'll understand if I stand up for my picture? I was deliberately trying to get a sensual vibe, and that can be subjective. I was also working within the constraints of what the model wanted and the fact that her Mom was standing behind me. Just to be constructive, should the the pose have changed (if so how), the clothes, or scrapped the whole deal?

[Ric]

In my opinion the pose looks good. Remember this is an Alley so how would one pose in an Alley? I think it is a good pose and clothes.

[jefg99]

OK, now I'm getting picky in the details. I would have removed the blemish on her forearm, and gotten rid of the splotchy pattern on her left leg. Well, I would have done the latter IF I knew how, which I don't.

If she was happy with the result (pose, clothes), then you should be very happy with the shot.

[Ric]

I agree with Jeff, somewhat.... I would remove those items or fix them up but only with approval from the Model. You do not know if that is a birthmark or any other kind of mark on her her arm so it is better to ask thean the model see it later and say "What did you do with....." It kind of looks like a scab maybe but still say to the model this is what you would like to remove. I think the blemishes Jeff was talking about on her leg are actually her veins which she may not like. If she does not then you can just take the blur brush and fix them real easy.

I think what throws Brian off is the very little leg on her right leg... What you may do here is fill that little bit in with her shorts using the clone Brush. If it does not look right then crop it up to get rid of it. If it still does not look right then try to leave more leg on. I don't know if this picture was cropped yet but you could open it up a bit more to the knee, but don't show the knee...

I guess if we are all getting picky with this photo then you could take that white blotch off on the side of her face by her cheek.

[jefg99]

Out of curiosity, mainly to contemplate whether I'd subject myself to this level of detailed criticism (obviously all well-meaning and constructive from each person's viewpoint), would you change anything if you were starting over with this shot? I do think critiquing could be a valuable part of our meetings periodically. I was talking with a member of the Hillcrest Club the other day, and they find that a very important aspect of their activities.

http://hillcrestcameraclub.tripod.com/id3.html

PS...I believe I convinced the person I was talking with to attend one of our meetings. She joined Hillside before our club was formed.

[geekninja]

Out of curiosity, mainly to contemplate whether I'd subject myself to this level of detailed criticism (obviously all well-meaning and constructive from each person's viewpoint), would you change anything if you were starting over with this shot? I do think critiquing could be a valuable part of our meetings periodically.

Things I'd change:

• I'd reposition the separation light to get more light on the hair
• You nailed one of the things that immediately jumped out at me, the leg. And Ric nailed the source, the model has really pale, alabaster with otherwise dark coloration. Her skin just highlights imperfections. I don't do tons of retouch, and none without prior instructions/arrangement, but in this case it definitely needs to be Shopped or cropped, probably the former.
• As a corollary to that, I saw it during the shoot and let it slide. Next time I might just be blunt and suggest tights to save both of us time.

Things I wouldn't change:

• The posing issue I'm going to take as a matter of preference, there are more demure poses/outfits from the session, but I chose this image because I liked it and I thought it would play well.
• The image is pretty much straight from the camera, no crop, just made some level and curve adjustment in Lightroom. I could crop the leg and straighten the brick edge, but I like the orientation and surroundings, and I think I'd lose too much after a rotate and trim, so I'm keeping them.

I'm a big believer in reviews; "steel sharpens steel" as the saying goes. Even if you've done the greatest thing in the world, it doesn't hurt to put another few sets of eyes on it. But your work tends to be your baby, and no one likes someone criticizing their "kid". I think it can go overboard and become criticism just for it's own sake, "pixel peeping", but within reason it's the only way to get better.

[jefg99]

Thanks for your well-thought answer. I thought the exercise we've just gone through was informative and done on a constructive basis.

[peachhead]

Ray, thanks for subjecting yourself to the criticisms!!  They really are meant to be constructive and positive.
I like the photo in general.  Being a woman, I immediately noticed the veins on her leg and figured she would want them taken out!!!!  (We are sensitive about that sort of thing!!)  The outfit is cute and I do understand the mood you were trying to convey with the pose.  It isn't overly revealing as compared to some of the outfits I see teenagers wearing to school nowadays.  I think the photo is tasteful from a "fashion" point of view and would fit in fine in any number of popular magazines today.  It is "sexy" without being "trashy". You can see worse than that at any supermarket checkout with magazines.
I didn't notice the bar in the butt until I read Ric's reply but that is easily taken out.

Loretta

[leelf62]

Ray,
What about trying it in b&w?  I think you might get the "edge" that you want.  Also, increase the grain for an increased rough look.  So, my $.02.  Thanks for being brave and opening yourself up for critique!
Lee

[Yammer77]

In my opinion the pose looks good. Remember this is an Alley so how would one pose in an Alley? I think it is a good pose and clothes.

Late to the party but agreed.
Pose is good, but using the alley seems more hooker than sensual.
If this was in a less urban setting then it would be more sensual to me.

[Ric]

I like the other series that Ray did and on his flickr site. They are really good and do not go over board... Check them out Anthony... I will not put his site on here so if you don't have it you will need to ask him.