Friend got shot today

[GrahamH]

C'n'C welcome.
She's been bugging me for ages, just cos I usually shoot her young'un. So we arranged a special day for her while her hubby looked after baby (and had fun watching me shoot his wife - as long as he wasn't in the pic).
Fresh off the press today. (More to do, but these were my faves, not necessarily hers).
Graham
(Hands needed repositioning but pretty happy with rest)

Once I started with two chairs, this came to mind.

[Donald]

Graham

A question more than a comment - Does the fact that the back legs of the chair on which she has her legs is crumpling up the backdrop, cause too much distraction? Did it need smoothing out before the shot?

[speedneeder]

Not bad at all Graham. In the first one I would like to see more light on her face - a reflector maybe.
When you figure out the back drop issue, ease share your success win me - I am in the same boat. Sure there are lots of options outside, but I struggle inside

[GrahamH]

Graham

A question more than a comment - Does the fact that the back legs of the chair on which she has her legs is crumpling up the backdrop, cause too much distraction? Did it need smoothing out before the shot?

Yup I see what you mean.

A little background to the pic. We had their 15month daughter running around, into the picture and out (so laughing was a problem). The white sheet was on a laminated floor (extremely slippy, so also concern for their daughter and this particular pose was rather unstable to ssay the least), trying to get the sheet straight was difficult, so I opted for the wrinkles to give some texture to the floor.
In a recent post of mine, comments were made about the backdrop being bland (it was) hence the choice of some texture. Obviously not the right choice here.

Thanks for your input.

[GrahamH]

Hi Brian,
I was shooting a flash into a reflector that was also reflecting light back into her. Looked fine in outdoors, but perhaps the sun has overpowered the other parts of the body. I actually darkened the image to try to keep some detail in the side lit areas,apparently a little too much.
I have some others that I lit differently (diffuser over her to shade the sun, plus direct fill flash with no modifiers).
I think I needed another VAL (voice activated lightstand). One was in the van babysitting, the other (my long suffering and very slender wife) was struggling in the wind to control a large reflector. Honestly, I should have had a video of it. Her arms were long enough to hold the reflector, but not enough to hold it above her so she could see. Plus she was on slope (slippy as it was dry dusty clay), wind was blowing into her for this shot so she was wearing the reflector.
Next time, reflector on silver I think, or get more VAL's involved (waiting for their daughter to grow up).

Graham

[GrahamH]

The background issue is one I am struggling with right now (as mentioned in my reply to Donald).
I've read that the white background (seamless) is very popular right now as it a very clean look. But it seems that some people like it and others don't (shot dependent I guess as well).
I've tried a generic mottled backdrop (an orange one, seen in other posts), but that doesn't suit all images.
The bland wall and floor doesn't work either.

So the photographer has to look after: -
the in camera stuff (right shutter speed, aperture and focus - selected for artist purposes, not just to get the right exposure).
the lighting (inside, outside, fill, natural etc.)
the posing by the model (including their attire, or lack of)
the setting (background)

So far I feel comfortable with in camera and lighting (still can be better, but I am progressing fairly well IMO). The posing is the struggle to date, but I am getting more comfortable with that (but definitely a long way to go for that). The basic attire I am starting to work on (OMG, I have to learn about womens clothing and what works for then and what doesn't! The horror). I've actually started watching the Fashion channel (nobody here knows me do they? add in emoticon with face covered by hands).
My biggest issue is now the background. On location is easier than creating my own (easier, not easy however).

Always trying to learn, sometimes actually succeeding, forgetting more than I learn sometimes.

Graham
(brain slowly oozing out of ears)

[Mark von Kanel]

HI Graham, for me the first one just isnt up to your usual standard the composition the setting just doesnt work...... sorry the second one is fantastic if you just sort out the background.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Graham,

Firstly; thank you for sharing your experiences with us in an amusing and educational way

One more thing to add on the second; perhaps add a bit of hair, or the boa, around her neck on the nearside, despite your friend being a very attractive woman, the inevitable skin folds between ear and dress are not so photogenic.

And another thing
I'd wrap the boa, if left trailing as it is now, around the chair leg and not having touching the edge of the frame.

I don't mind the sheet rucked up under the chair leg, it would be - if it were flattened back out, now that could look too posed.

Hope that helps,