I have a dear friend who is a gifted choreographer at our college here in town. We've worked together on a number of dances where I would suggest, or play, music.

The other day she called and asked if I could take head shots of her dancers. I said no problem, I'd be happy to do it for her. We set up a time and all ten students came at once. We had 45 minutes to do all ten.

I asked her what her dance was about, or the theme, or something to give me an idea where to go with the pictures.

She said, "This dance is about beauty. I would like them to appear as beautiful in the pictures as they do on stage."

I said "okay." And thought, this will be difficult, as they all just came from rehearsal and were wearing sweats and stuff.

I asked, "anything else?"

She said, "yes, I would like the pictures to look like old hollywood photos."

and, she said, " I want them to look like they were on stage when the pictures were taken."

I told her that I wasn't really good enough to do that in 4 minutes per person and she was going to end up with pictures with blown highlights and crushed blacks.

She said, "you mean really contrasty pictures? Perfect. That's just what I want."

So away we went. 10 mostly shy, sweaty and messy looking students who were loaded up right after a dance rehearsal to get their picture taken.

Here is the before and after of one of them. This young woman was terrified of the camera and lights, sat down and just looked at me. I looked in the viewfinder and remember thinking that she was very beautiful, but didn't know it. I took only one picture.

Any thoughts, impression, or criticisms you may have are welcomed and encouraged.

Bob


before

If that's what she likes, then so be it. Not my choice though

Others will have suggestions but I think you did awesome! You took her stunned look and it made it, well beautiful

Wow, I also think it's beautiful. What was your lighting set-up?

Hi Bob,

IF I had not seen the "before" photo, I would assume the woman looks very close to the second (after) photo.

The after photo by itself is a nice image. Not perfect, but what is?

The high contrast look seems to go with her "open eyes" as if she is in the spot (as your friend wanted).

The skin looks "better" in the after shot.

In the "Before" shot, my eye immediately goes to the skin (blemishes)...as they are unusual, and a "pattern."

When I look at the "After" image, my eyes go immediately to her eyes. And I notice the eyes, not the skin (at all).

I hope that helps you.

Under the circumstances, I think you've done a fantastic job. The "before" photo has a real "deer in the headlights" look. The "after" photo is striking and almost glamorous. I'd be interested in your post processing on this one.

Very well done.

sboerup wrote:
If that's what she likes, then so be it. Not my choice though


Not my first choice either. I tried to give her what she wanted and in that sense I think it's okay.

Bob

jannaweiss wrote:
Wow, I also think it's beautiful. What was your lighting set-up?


Thank you for your comment. The lighting was really simple; one 53" octa and a hair light.

Bob

I think the photo and the subject are simply gorgeous. Simple. And gorgeous. I am a huge fan of this kind of MacGyver solution.

I am curious: has your subject seen this photo? And what's her opinion?

And (I have to ask), is she aware that you posted it on the web?

Amazing. Really nice work.

Yes - I bet she will be really unhappy with that - not!

stevemaller wrote:
I think the photo and the subject are simply gorgeous. Simple. And gorgeous. I am a huge fan of this kind of MacGyver solution.

I am curious: has your subject seen this photo? And what's her opinion?

And (I have to ask), is she aware that you posted it on the web?


Yes, she's seen the picture and loved it. I gave her a copy. And yes, her picture will be everywhere; posters for the performance, the schools website, etc. I also obtained model releases from all the students.

Bob

the results look great! did you do any toning in photoshop, or war the final product produced by messing more with contrast, etc.

Interesting story and in the end a good way to handle the complexion problem, at least in her case.

Put this in the food for thought category:

A full face pose is symmetrical. If it is overlaid with an asymmetrical lighting pattern with shadows on one side and highlights on the other the net effect is a face which looks asymmetrical and a nose shadow on one side which will distract from the more important eyes and mouth. Butterfly - in the generic sense of a aligning the key light with the nose - is a symmetrical lighting pattern which will complement rather than alter the look of a full face view.

Great job, I think you gave the client exactly what they wanted, which just happens to be a beautiful photo as well.