Sharon 10/8/2005 shoot: Part I

[shatteredlens]

As always, thoughts, comments and constructive criticism appreciated.

Comments

[crazyzim]

something about the first one isn't really working for me, but 2 & 3 are hot. i totally love the last one though, everything about it.

[lightningbugs]

that's what i was thinking too.

[shatteredlens]

Yeah, the more people comment and the more I look at it, the more I realize this lighting didn't really work for her in that shot. It's a shame because I think t would have been a great shot otherwise.

Glad that 2 & 3 are hot though. That's what we were going for ;-)

[ladder7]

I agree with the 1st comment. The lighting on the face and eyes in the first one does not seem to show her as well as the 2nd and 3rd ones.

The 2nd and 3rd ones are wonderful - especially the 3rd!! :)

[shatteredlens]

Thanks about 2 & 3. I'm a bit hesitant to use three in my port, even though I really like it because I think it's so similar to the one I have of Kiara on the chair. I don't know. Maybe not though and I shouldn't worry that people will think I love getting women on their backs? ;-)

[psycholibrarian]

You mean you don't?? ;)

[shatteredlens]

Just you m' dear ;-)

[archas]

Mmm. They get better as they go along! Nicely done.

It's the lighting on the face in the first one that's throwing people; she looks a little sick. The face looks great in the other two, however.

The composition also gets stronger as we go along; the dramatic foreshortening in the third is the most dynamic by far. The second is beautifully playful, but it's a rather stiff composition.

The composition in the third is the strongest, though even here I'd like to see it pushed a bit. Give her torso a twist, play up the controposto. She is at an angle, but her body still just diagonally splits the frame in two. Maybe think about that old "All four corners, all four edges" idea?

As ever, thanks for sharing!

[crazyzim]

what does that all four corners, all four edges thing mean? sounds intriguing... i might have to go look it up :-)

[archas]

Ahhh...it was something my design and color theory professor drilled into us...maybe this was just our prof., though?

It's about composition: in laying out the piece, you have to consider all four corners, and all four edges. Which is not to say you need "stuff" in them all. But negative space is just as important as positive. People--especially illustrators like me--tend to head straight for the middle of the canvas, and put our subject there...

So probably simpler than I had made it sound: empty spaces (especially corners) should not be neglected, so much as carefully and self-consciously left empty.

[shatteredlens]

I do have some where her body is much more oganic, she has curves instead of being a stright line. None of them seemed to appeal to me though.

Thanks for commenting lately btw! Good stuff.

[_reticence]

I agree that the first one makes me think she's ill. She's very pale and slender which I think makes the first one a bit tricky. The second and third are beautiful, though. I love the color splash of her tie in the last one.

[shatteredlens]

Ugh, I had such a hard time chosing a tie. I think the lady in the store must have thought I was nuts! In the end though I think it was just right. It's that bit of brightness needed amongst all the b & w.

Yeah, the more I look at one I realize I lit her all wrong there and it kind of ruined what otherwise was a really great shot. Who knows. Maybe I'll try photoshopping it a bit more to see if I can fix that.

Thanks about the second and third.

[lost_in_my_room]

you always find the most interesting subjects

i love the last one. the soft focus on her breasts and the accent of the blue tie is great

[shatteredlens]

Not to sound as totally out if it as I am right now, are you talking about the model or the way a shoot them/themes in regards to "interesting subjects"?

Thanks about the last one. Yeah, I'm a fan.

[lost_in_my_room]

the models you find are very interesting visually, but the themes are also very good.

[shatteredlens]

Ha, that's cool. I mainly just work with what I can get, minus of course the people that I've known for years but yeah, all my new models are just people who have contacted me.