Nature Portrait/Fashion (?) Session with my girlfriend Ashleigh

TheoGraphics · Jul 6, 2011

I am trying to branch out a bit more from automotive photography and want to try my hand at fashion, portrait and event photography. So my girlfriend and I headed down to the Arboretum to shoot a bit and get some practice.

I really love all the naturally lit shots that I've seen recently. I decided to do the same, with no off camera flash for the shoot. I did bring along a reflector. Shot with a D700, 85mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8. I ended up loving the 85 for this purpose.

I have to say, it's harder than it looks! I'm happy with my first attempt, and would love to hear any CC that you more seasoned portrait photogs have for me. Be honest, it will only make me better!

Theo
1

2

3

4
I was going to toss this one initially, but I thought it had kind of a "monroe-esque" quality to it. Maybe, maybe not, haha.

5

6
My personal favorite of the set.

7

8

9

10- (Only realized while editing that you're not supposed to shoot up into the nose...oh well. Now I know for next time!)

11- The possibly overdone upside-down shot

12 - Trying my hand at sunflare.

13

Brinr · Jul 6, 2011

Too many pics dude, post like 3-5 for a good critique, but they aren't bad at all really. Keep shooting.

Robin Usagani · Jul 6, 2011

I like 1 & 12 where the pose doesnt look forced. I am not sure if I am a fan of your black and white conversion. Beautiful gf!

TheoGraphics · Jul 6, 2011

Thanks for the CC, guys!

molested_cow · Jul 6, 2011

I like 4 and 5 because her chin isn't obvious in them.

subscuck · Jul 6, 2011

Her expression is the same in all but #4 and #12. She has a beautiful smile, she should use it more.

bromic10 · Jul 6, 2011

I like your work, but I'll suggest you that your girlfriend would be more photogenic if her look would be a bit lower, she has a lot of strength to his look and is worthwhile to take advantage of it. Besides I would think something similar to Schwettylens about your black and white conversion.

Carles
Carles Porta - Fotògraf: Undergrounding BCN

joealcantar · Jul 6, 2011

Looks to me like you had too many locations to shoot and you were moving from place to place too fast. Slow down , one would rather have 3-4 killer shots from same location. I do not see too many of same shot with you moving around to get a different perspective. A OCF or reflector with an assistant would have gotten you some great shots. The shot where she is laying down upside down is as close to correct exposure.

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Shoot well, Joe

TheoGraphics · Jul 6, 2011

thanks everyone, good tips here!

kundalini · Jul 6, 2011

With such a pretty model at your disposal, you should do both of yourselves a favor and research lighting, composition and posing. Not a bad start, but you will be happier if you can create more dynamics (lighting, composition and posing)

Be cognizant of small details that should be eliminated, such as the black bra (swim top). I realize some of the images were purposed with it, but several were not and is noticable.

I would also suggest more facial expressions. TBH, several look as though she just smelt a fart.

Turn your camera 90° more often with portraits. The D700 & 85mm is a lethal combo for portraits. :thumbsup:

Keep shooting and posting.

Derrel · Jul 6, 2011

V
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MAN,

v
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Wow,so many shots where she is just "amputated", and instead of her lovely physique and clothing, we are "treated" to dull and uninspiring background...when she is standing upright...the camera ought to echo her body's orientation MOST of the time, except for situations when the setting/environment/background actually advances the photograph. In most of these, the background is innocuous, dull, and even downright boring. You had in front of the lens a vibrant, young,exciting model, outside during the loveliest season of the year. And you were holding the camera as if you were photographing the ocean, or a distant mountain range. ie...as if the SUBJECT were horizontal.

1,4,5,9,10,12,--ALL should have been verticals. All of them. On #13, you could have had her put her hands on the other tree, and made a very clever horizontal out of #13.

Shots #5 and #10 would have been awesome as verticals...as horizontals, they are very poorly-composed photos.

Robin Usagani · Jul 6, 2011

^^Derrel has foot fetish

Derrel · Jul 6, 2011

Schwettylens said:
^^Derrel has foot fetish

Yet another STUPID comment from you Schwettylens. I seriously wish you'd STFU on the sniping at me, personally, about horizontal and vertical, and take the issue seriously. We spoke about this in a PM yesterday, and three weeks ago we clashed over this same issue publicly. Your continued, repeated douchey comments about me telling beginning people photographers about vertical camera ortientation has grown very,very tiresome to me. You might notice that Kundalini also mentioned "portrait" orientation. Why not flick him some **** too?

It's not about the edges of the frame going down as far as the feet...it is about knowing HOW to COMPOSE a half-body photo properly. A standing woman is not an automobile. He's a car shooter. He probably has some seriously ingrained bad habits, like horizontalitis, since automobiles are almost always photographed in a horizontal manner, since they are wider (ie, longer) than they are tall. He said he wanted honest critique from experience people photographers. I used to make my living shooting studio portraiture, five days a week. I have photographed literally THOUSANDS of families, singles, babies,couples, kids, senior citizens, family groups, etc. You've done what? 25-30 sets???

I actually know how to compose properly. The question is, "How do I utilize the entire frame of the picture in the BEST-possible manner?" That is what the people photographer needs to think about on each and every frame he shoots!

Check out this notable glamour/beauty/fashion shooter. NOT SAFE for WORK. Take a look at how a professional, trained, experienced shooter frames women,and men.... Arny Freytag Studios

Robin Usagani · Jul 6, 2011

Derrel, if you have shot that many sets (which I believe you), how come you never share? Anyway, I wont argue about vertical and horizontal again and yes that was a stupid comment. I will definitely check out that link when I get home.

My wedding photography mentor told me that our life is mostly horizontal. Our vision is wider horizontally, TV is horizontal, etc. But anyway, thats why this is called a forum. We can express what we think

. I do take a lot of portrait orientation though derrel. A lot more than you think.