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Lurk more than I share here but figured why not share some recent stuff.
I usually incorporate some sort of flash in my work...would say around 90%....but recently got the itch to ditch the strobes and flash's in the bag and just play with natural bounced light. These were done in my living room next to a sliding glass door and a reflector bouncing a bit of light back to the shadow side.
I like them all but what I think makes #1 a bit more interesting is her pose and connection with the camera. The lighting is also a bit more flattering, shadow side has more fill and those eyes are simple wonderful. I'd crop a bit off the top as it seems like there is just a bit too much head room. Nice work.
Ha! These are great and each so different then the other...
#1 one might say a 'natural' self confident and a naturally pretty young girl. Lighting on this is just wonderful, only nit for me is I don't like the hot spot on the front of the shoulder on the skin and a bit tighter on top for the crop.
#2 it's going to take another round to let this pretty young gal to 'loosen up' A different expression will bring out a different personality I bet and it would be worth doing. The hair highlighting is quite nice, I like the sincerity in her look.
#3 yup she is a natural smiler for sure I think the even lighting (softer) across entire face works well, those big brown eyes offer even more potential.
I like the coloring and choice of BG though perhaps a bit softer on the patterning would be nice, more like #2.
Karl Witt wrote:
#2 it's going to take another round to let this pretty young gal to 'loosen up' A different expression will bring out a different personality I bet and it would be worth doing. The hair highlighting is quite nice, I like the sincerity in her look.
Karl
#2 is my daughter. She's been infront of the camera her entire life. She knows how to work the "dead pan" face for sure....but believe me, she's very expressive and I have plenty to prove it. !
Beautiful work! Natural light is where and how I started. These photos have inspired me to use it again... that is a nice background, a nice set up. Now that I’ve switched to mostly Zeiss lenses, 85mm & 50mm Milvus, (waiting on the Zeiss 135mm f/2 to arrive), I’d love to shoot natural light again. I recently took a photo of my niece on a leather couch surrounded by widows that turned out great, used the 85mm. Anyway, your photos are awesome. Tell me what background you have. I think I have one similar to that.
Todd wrote:
Beautiful work! Natural light is where and how I started. These photos have inspired me to use it again... that is a nice background, a nice set up. Now that I’ve switched to mostly Zeiss lenses, 85mm & 50mm Milvus, (waiting on the Zeiss 135mm f/2 to arrive), I’d love to shoot natural light again. I recently took a photo of my niece on a leather couch surrounded by widows that turned out great, used the 85mm. Anyway, your photos are awesome. Tell me what background you have. I think I have one similar to that.
Agree with others above that the crop is wrong though. It should be 4x5 if you want to keep it traditional, but I'd cheat and keep the top a bit longer - just a bit over the stray hair. Although I could see why some people might find that a bit too conventional.
Excellent set. One thing that stood out for me in this set is just a natural difference between people. With the second young woman, I noticed the difference in her eyes. I find that, like her, most people's eyes are uneven. One strong, one weak. One focuses well and the other drifts. Now, everyone likes the first pic a great deal and I have to say that I fall into that camp. While I certainly enjoy the positive aspects of the shot others have mentioned, I also note how even her eyes are. Same size, both focused on the camera very well. I have read that one of the key aspects of beauty is symmetry. She definitely has that quality. Your daughter is just a blast. Bizarre and beautiful though not at the same time. Nice to have such a great model in house. Enjoy!
I think the even lighting (softer) across entire face works well, those big brown eyes offer even more potential.
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