I grew up in California and my family moved to New Mexico when I was a teen. They're still there in NM, and I consider that my true home. We get some great clouds there, great sunsets. I live in the suburbs of Chicago, not really a fan of this place, but it's where I am. Finally got some great clouds a few nights ago, while getting some dance shots of a girl who hired me for senior portraits.
So this is what we came up with. 1/1000 at f/5.6 ad ISO 800. HSS with three Yongnuo flashes. Shot this at 24mm on my 24-70. The wider lens choice actually lengthens the dancer's legs, which always makes them very happy.
Its a cool shot and the lighting and angle works well here Ron!
Only nit is I feel like the angle on her face isn't as flattering as it could be, I think the shot would have been even stronger if you had her turn her head a bit more to her left (in profile) vs up the nose, if that isn't inappropriate for the aesthetics of the dance from her standpoint.
I like the angle of her face. She started with it going much higher than it is here, and I brought it down to this position, which works perfectly for me. As for shooting up the nose, well, if you're shooting up at a dancer (or any subject), unless they're upside-down, you're going to shoot up their nose. While I don't always shoot from this close of an angle, I pretty much always shoot up at my dancers when they do a leap.
Great shot, but after reading your title, I'm wondering what this shot might look like with the horizon cropped out or cloned away. Maybe it doesn't work without context?
I was thinking, based on the title, that it might be a picture much like this but with only clouds behind her. Just the way my brain works.
Ron I think this is a great image. I accept and love it as it is but like Evan I feel it is tragic that you could not get an alternate shot perhaps with her head level with the camera, but it is what it is. As a definite alternative under your control I would crop out everything but her and the clouds perhaps punching up the cloud contrast a tad. Good job my friend.
Great shot! I kind of agree with what the above is saying -- I'd either like to see more of the grass to give some near perspective on the height of the jump or totally cut it away to really go for the "in the clouds" theme.
