This was early on in the VC pandemic and social distancing protocol was followed here in central Iowa... shot with 2 ad200s in a softbox, 1dx, 85 1.2, and 200 f2... looking for c/c, the older gal is much more comfortable in front of the camera and I think it showed as we've worked together a few times. The blonde is 8 years old, a cheerleader I photograph, and a hopeful model with a heart of gold and a personality large enough to fill rooms. Stay safe fellow fm'ers!
Hi Chad,
I am not an expert by any stretch but this is my opinion. The second image is the best out of the set of 4 of the young model. It seems that she felt more relaxed there and didn't force herself to smile. I also like #3; the composition there is great. I would crop #4 to render that as a portrait format. The bright empty space to her right is... well, empty. In general there are too many bright areas in the background though.
The second set is definitely better than the first one, IMHO. There, #6 and #7 are gorgeous but #6 is more on the money in a few aspects. My top pick is #6; it is gorgeous! #5 has too much specular highlights on her right face from the viewers position that I would to tone down. Somehow, I got the feeling that you cropped the left side on #4 too much. Plus, an eye contact there would be nice and the skin tone is a tad too red for my taste. I like #5 quite a bit, too. The model is lovely and she has a beautiful smile and yes, seemingly perfect teeth.
Since you asked for some critiques, I hope you don't mind my telling you my opinion.
Chad, that’s a pretty nice group of shots. I’ll be glad to give some of my opinions.
I’ll just number then.
1, there’s way to much fly away hair. If it was breezy that’s always a problem(hair spay!)! The lights is too flat, by your catchlights the light was too low. 45/45 with the fill at least a 1/2 stop lower or more. Try for catchlights at 1 to 2 or 10/11 o’clock position. I’d clone the spots on her upper/right lip and the specular on the tooth.
2, this is an interesting pose but the lighting needs work. If the subject gets on the ground your lights need to drop too. The left side of her face is dark and the upper check and white shirt close to blown. That grey thing in the background, looks like a bridge, is very distracting. I’d consider cropping her legs out. It’s too sexy for 8 years old even though she thinks she’s 18!
3, this is your best shot and look for her. It has a good mix of foreground/background and subject.
4, our eye always goes to the brightest area first or a primary color, like red. It’s a very bright negative area and lots of it. She’s close to the left side and facing out. This sets up a bit of tension for the viewer. That’s good in an edgy shot of an adult model but probably a little strong for a little kid.
Moving on to the big girl shots! I feel a framing problem or too tight of a crop in all of them along with arm/hand positions.
In most you’ve either cut off a hand or an arm. In one she has no arms at all.
Are these a senior shoot? They have a very senior feel to them but in all of them she has excellent and beautiful presentation and camera interaction.
5, the background is a bit bright and a little busy. The background should complement her, not work against her.
6, this is the best shot of the 8. It flows effortless and relaxed. The background is smooth and doesn’t interfere. Her hand is cut off into the grass and the foreground is cropped to tight. It’s almost like the grass need to longer or shorter. This is very nice though!
7, same as above. If she threw here hair, she needs to do something with here hand. Just relax it if nothing else! Tone the highlights down on her face. Like it was short-lighted but too bright.
8, this has nice even lighting especially on her face. Again you lost her hand in the grass and it’s cropped to tight on that arm.
They are all nice shots! I’m probably being picky but you asked! If it’s a senior shoot I guess she can wear what she wants. If it’s a model shoot, personally I don’t allow blue jeans of any kind, ripped or not!!!
I’d be very careful not to over sexualize little girls. An 8 year old cheerleader? Must be the T-ball team!! LoL
Chad this is excellent work. Maybe you should be using a light meter to not blow anything out and even out the light, especially if your boxes are small, or like I do, and shoot bare-bulb on windy locations. Hope I didn’t go to overboard!? Nice stuff with beautiful models!!!
John
Nice shots
I think I moved from Ft. Dodge to early Chad!!!
I love the 2nd set the most also. The lady is lovely and very photogenic! The lighting, to me, seems excellent! I am NOT good at portraits at all. But as a viewer, I think these are great!
Go Hawkeyes!!! I hope!!
Dan
John - thank you very much for your very thoughtful c/c! You are correct on all accounts and I will be sure to try to implement them going forward, this is a focal point for me going forward as I'm mainly a volume sports photographer. The 8 y/o is part of a cheer gym and they start much younger than that if you can believe it! It's quite odd seeing the girls all ages in pounds of makeup performing. The older gal wasn't a senior shoot but looks young enough that she could pass for one and were my targeted audience for these images. This was a tfp shoot. The younger gal is a paying client. No worries about being overly picky those are the things that I'd never notice and hopefully will going forward! I want to create photos that are not only pleasing to my clientele but also other photogs since most are more talented than I and as I get more confident in my work it will show in my work and my pricing
Chad Bassman wrote:
Dan - thank you very much! I cheer for the Hawkeyes when they aren't playing the Cyclones but went to both schools
Yeah I have been a die hard Hawkeye since the 1950's in Ft Dodge then moving to Maryland-1958. The Cyclones were not as popular back then but boy they have come along ways since!!! I root for the Cycs when they don't play the Hawkeyes!!
Dan
