Heather's model shoot...Trying something a little different.

mr tommo · 10 Feb 2010 at 19:53

Usually our model portfolios are fairly straiht forward, standard poses/lighting/make-up/clothing.

However we felt we wanted a little more creative freedom and wanted to go for a more edgy/high fashion style look to a portfolio.

Here are a few quick edits, there will be more to come if anyone is interested in seeing more.

EDIT _ Just realised the eyes are a little soft on the first shot. That will be sorted but Im just on the weay out so will have to wait.

Comments appreciated

tbs · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:01

Why do most shoots require weird posing from the models?

If the models are models they should pose naturally or at least given some advice how they should pose. I see a lot of shots where the models look really awkward and stiff.

I guess you either have to know how to look in front of a camera instead of a mirror then the model would look better.

I like 3 I guess if I had to choose, but the arms put me off due to its a different color to her face...

robertgilbert86 · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:02

Whoops, 456 views and no replies. EDIT: Argh. beaten to first comment!

The shots look nice to me, the processing suits her.

The pose in #2 looks really odd, it feels unnatural in a bad way. You should have tried to get her to do different poses in the other shots too, she's almost doing the same thing with her head and hands in every photo!

pinki104 · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:03

face doesent look like it fits in 2

tbs · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:07

I actually meant 3 not 2...

Raymond Lin · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:16

I like them, but technically, there's something bugs me in most of them, ie the focus is out on the eyes in the first one. The last one is the best, I would've prefer the 1st one if her eyes was sharp.

mr tommo · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:20

tbs said:
Why do most shoots require weird posing from the models?

If the models are models they should pose naturally or at least given some advice how they should pose. I see a lot of shots where the models look really awkward and stiff.

I guess you either have to know how to look in front of a camera instead of a mirror then the model would look better.

I like 3 I guess if I had to choose, but the arms put me off due to its a different color to her face...

When I say models I don't actually mean proper models. Just referring to the girl in the photo. We actually did no posing at all in these shots which I've not done before. The girls we usually get in haven't ever been in a shoot before (all of the website fashion gallery are first timers)

We got this girl in because we wanted to try something a little weird/unusual. Won't be to everyones taste but it's something we wanted to try.

robertgilbert86 said:
Whoops, 456 views and no replies. EDIT: Argh. beaten to first comment!

The shots look nice to me, the processing suits her.

The pose in #2 looks really odd, it feels unnatural in a bad way. You should have tried to get her to do different poses in the other shots too, she's almost doing the same thing with her head and hands in every photo!

To be fair there was around 250 shots to choose from. I guess I've gone for similar poses on the few Ive quickly selected..

mr tommo · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:23

Raymond Lin said:
I like them, but technically, there's something bugs me in most of them, ie the focus is out on the eyes in the first one. The last one is the best, I would've prefer the 1st one if her eyes was sharp.

Just had a look at the original and it seems the eyes aren't sharp in that one. I thought it was my processing that caused the blur but obviously not.

tbs · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:27

mr tommo said:
When I say models I don't actually mean proper models. Just referring to the girl in the photo. We actually did no posing at all in these shots which I've not done before. The girls we usually get in haven't ever been in a shoot before (all of the website fashion gallery are first timers)

We got this girl in because we wanted to try something a little weird/unusual. Won't be to everyones taste but it's something we wanted to try.

I think the best way to get something out of someone is to be blunt with them, otherwise it ruins the shot.

Ive only done a few portraiture shoots but I found it hard if the person youre shooting doesnt get it what you want out of them.

Willis · 10 Feb 2010 at 20:28

mr tommo said:
Just had a look at the original and it seems the eyes aren't sharp in that one. I thought it was my processing that caused the blur but obviously not.

What where you shooting at, if i'm in my studio I'll shoot at F8/200 and everything is nice and sharp.

peterattheboro · 10 Feb 2010 at 21:27

I think these would work better with a colourful, high key background.

You've decided to go for some fancy makeup but left the backgrounds the same as normal type shots.

I'm thinking white wallpaper with rainbows and some blacks thrown in.

/gay

denyerec · 11 Feb 2010 at 13:13

Is it just me or does she look a little like Summer Glau ? Actually a LOT like...

Main crit would be the arms and face don't match in terms of hue in #3 and #4, due most likely to the foundation used. Nothing a quick bit of PS wouldn't fix, but it stood out to me. 1st shot might have benefited from a rim light to bring the shape of the hair out, thought about rim on #2 but I think the mood of that shot suits what's there.

Is she available via an agency for work?

Rojin · 11 Feb 2010 at 19:55

I like them, a couple do look a bit soft around the eyes but I like the composition

DampCat · 11 Feb 2010 at 20:16

I think you've done well mate.

The eyes are a touch soft in the first, and the arm in the last could do with a mask as it's a little out of place at the moment... but I can see where you've gone with it and if it's your first attempt at alternative modelling then you've done excellently.

There are some technical issues to address, as you and others have noted, but from a purely aesthetic point of view they're interesting and pleasing.

I get the impression this was an experiment, so given that i'd say huge success. Keep at it, and keep us informed

pabloB · 11 Feb 2010 at 20:52

Re 1 & 4 you've apparently whitened the eyes but not the teeth (or that's what it looks like on my screen as the teeth look distinctly 'off white' compared to the eyes).

Any chance we can see the unprocessed shots?

mr tommo · 12 Feb 2010 at 12:02

Thanks for the comments guys. Yes it was an experiment, quite different to what we usually go for so it was never going to be perfect. The makeup is definately an issue with regards to the arms and face.

I'll upload a couple of originals now...

Unbelievably #1 with the eyes out of focus was shot 1/125 @ F7.1. Something wrong with the camera? Surely her nose and eyes shoudn't be out at 7.1?

SteveOBHave · 12 Feb 2010 at 12:11

She's a very refreshing model - doesn't look like the standard fare that normally ends up in here. Number 1 is a cracker.

mr tommo · 12 Feb 2010 at 12:20

Here ia another I've just quickly edited. None of these were done for purposes other than for testing/experimenting. The model did the shoot for TFCD btw.

Not much editing done on this one really. Just tried to tone her face down a little.

Raymond Lin · 12 Feb 2010 at 12:29

^^^ out of focus?

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 12 Feb 2010 at 12:35

Love the first mate. And you are a fellow Stokey! (well I am just outside of but conduct my shopping there)

The out of focus really lets it down though. Where was your focus point. What hardware did you use to take the photo and have you brushed in your sharpness or filtered it?

I have tried to fix the out of focus area of your photograph and am willing to apply this to your high res if you want to mail it to me. Upto you.

Johnny