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Hey guys, long time no see again!
Been busy for quite a long time but now I`m up to show you my latest work.
This wasn`t meant to be 'sexy librarian' shoot at all - first idea was to shoot Brina in Saint-Petersburg Academy of Art but since it was closed that day we went to local book store which is placed in historical Zinger building and came up with this shots.
All shots was taken with Nikon D750 and Sigma 35mm f/1,4 Art lens which is my main and favourite lens now.
P.S. Since some people complained about closed eyes of my models - which is to me way to express exact mood, atmosphere and feelings in the photoghaph - this time all shots was done with eyes wide open)))
P.P.S. Also I already learned by heart that some of you don`t like Sigma 35 Art bokeh - so just keep that in mind when you typing your message. Thank you!
1. Eyes closed or open... she would be beautiful either way
2. I didn't know people didn't like the bokeh of the 35 art... interesting... I like it... and I will own the lens shortly.
3. I really love the 1st shot... the others are nice... the 1st one jumps off the screen at me. The 3rd shot is strong as well. I get what you were going for in #2.... I just like the 1st and 3rd a little more. The tones in the shot to include lighting are very nice. Great job all around!
Actually, I was quite surprised too, but in EVERY thread I`ve started here which contained Sigma 35 shots there was mentions that it`s bokeh is quite harch and stuff... I don`t get it - maybe I`m now that experienced... But I believe that there is far more importrant things to look in at my photographs. At least, I hope so))
Let me be clear with what I was doing - on image 2 I`ve tried to add that peeping feel to it - it supposed to be a shot thru the books on the shelves, just like you was watching the model that way. If you`re familiar with cinematoghraphy there is such thing as placing your subject in the middle between foreground and background - as a general method and also in dialogue scenes, Large objects on the foreground on image 3 is also bookshelves - they supposed to compliment the story inside the frame and also shelve on the right contain leading lines which leading to our model. I don`t consider them sloppy or distracting.
I love these. Feeling old though, Ididn't even notice her lipstick unil the last imagewhere is popped for me. Went back through them and feel blind. I'm glad for you the art place didn't work out.
Let me be clear with what I was doing - on image 2 I`ve tried to add that peeping feel to it - it supposed to be a shot thru the books on the shelves, just like you was watching the model that way. If you`re familiar with cinematoghraphy there is such thing as placing your subject in the middle between foreground and background - as a general method and also in dialogue scenes, Large objects on the foreground on image 3 is also bookshelves - they supposed to compliment the story inside the frame and also shelve on the right contain leading lines which leading to our model. I don`t consider them sloppy or distracting. ...Show more →
Great shots. I do agree though about the blob in image 2 being a distraction. I understand how such objects add the peeping feeling. However in case of number 2 it is not quite working mainly because the object itself is a big undefined blob. Number 3 is a somewhat different story where the object at right has some definition and adds a context. In case of 2 you add the peeping feeling but the blob feels like an obstruction in the way rather than adding any context.
Understand the look you were going for in #2 the issue is that it is too bright and therefore tugs at your eye...if it were dark it would work much better. Regardless I like the work here.
Oh... something else in #2 needs a bit of touching up...
hatch1921 wrote:
2. I didn't know people didn't like the bokeh of the 35 art... interesting... I like it... and I will own the lens shortly.
Have you been living under a rock Hatch? Just kidding.
I'll admit that I've commented negatively on the look of the bokeh of the Art lenses in the past, and guessed that these images were from an Art lens before I read it in the comments of the OP.
In some of the shots it isn't as obvious, but I find the 'tell-tale' crunchy bokeh most obvious in the turnable book column in the center of the final shot, and in the green book at camera right in the first shot.
All that said, I really like the overall mood and feel of this series! Very much enjoyed looking at these images.
Nice series with 1 being off the charts wonderful. To me it has an oil painting feel. Why couldn't the librarians in the libraries I visited look like this, I would have visited the place daily. 😃
the issue is that it is too bright and therefore tugs at your eye...if it were dark it would work much better. Regardless I like the work here. 
:\
Just kidding.