I'm not a portrait expert, but I have to say that in many of your shots the skin looks very over processed and plasticky. You can really see it on the first shot and the last one. On the first one, I had to double and triple check to see if you were shooting a mannequin or a real person. On the last one, the difference in skin on the face and neck / shoulders is really stark because of processing.
Additionally, the shots where there are no catch like in the eyes make the model look less lifelike as well.
Just my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. Perhaps more experienced portrait photographers can supply better comments.
However that was the makeup creating the difference in skin tone and lack of correct lighting on the shoulders I later realized.
The first shot however is not at all that processed. Its the makeup artist ( have an amazing woman I work with)
I looked at the raw image and the skin did not look much different from the original and the edit I put through photo shop. Its actually not very processed and I achieved the look through lighting more then anything.
And yeah the 55-200 was Ok for a lens you can pick up second hand for around 150-160 it works pretty well. I am getting a 180 2.8 prime though for this work though, cant wait to get it in the mail!
khguitar098 wrote:
Chemprof i agree with you with the last image...
However that was the makeup creating the difference in skin tone and lack of correct lighting on the shoulders I later realized.
The first shot however is not at all that processed. Its the makeup artist ( have an amazing woman I work with)
I looked at the raw image and the skin did not look much different from the original and the edit I put through photo shop. Its actually not very processed and I achieved the look through lighting more then anything.
And yeah the 55-200 was Ok for a lens you can pick up second hand for around 150-160 it works pretty well. I am getting a 180 2.8 prime though for this work though, cant wait to get it in the mail!
Excellent portraits. I do not like the makeup either but my taste has nothing to do with the beautiful photographs.
I own this lens version without VR. When I bought it, it was my intention to use it mainly for traveling because it is light, fits anywhere and it is very convenient. I find myself using it more often than I thought because of its excellent image quality. I have some very nice close-ups of flowers with it and also some very nice portraits.
If you are using the D3 you will find the professional 180mm f2.8 a hell of a lens in that format.
Thank you for sharing such a nice series with us.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.
What an excellent example of what the lens can do. Of course, that's also including all the aspects of the photography such as the lighting, processing, the makeup artist etc, and the skill of the photographer. Really cool stuff.
thanks! That last image was a fun shoot. I shot it at my old place. This dried up grassy yellow backyard that was not very visually apealing. So I grabbed an old aluminum trash can, turned it over and propped the models around it with some neat lighting at 200mm and it gave me a cool affect!
I love lighting on location more then anything! The vagabond 2 is the most awesome thing ever!!
It`s been a real treat to see pictures like this posted. And all from such an inexpensive lens.
It`s just amazing what the right person can do.
Thanks for sharing.
John
Great images! I knew it was the makeup right away, and can't say I like people looking like mannequins. That said, I really like the 2nd if the first series, 2 and 3 in the 2nd series (love the shoe in the 2nd it’s wonderfully lighted), 2nd in 3rd series (I’d like to see her eyes blue too!), and your last shot with the girl wearing the furred hood. Really spectacular job of lighting. I’m going to study these!!
khguitar098 wrote:
And this photograph was taken with a wide angle lens inside the girls bed room. When I came to take family portraits at the clients home the daughter demanded a shoot of her in her room so we did. Here is a quick set from that.
Wow, now THAT is a very cool, very fun series. No doubt they LOVE that one, likely put it up in her room... great idea, well executed.
