First Studio Shoot Alone

[mwcfarms]

I would suggest to all your future clients to bring in a change of clothes etc so you can choose from both outfits. I think that the maternity jeans and white tshirt are still my favorite. As well as the band top with belly showing.

I think you got great exposures but again the background is very distracting. In the posing I agree with the moms arm looking a tad limp. But this is direction from you which will come with time. Next time get her to either mirror his arm or hand on belly etc. Good job for your first alone shoot. I cant imagine the butterflies you must of had. On a side note even more kudos for the naked ones.

 

[gsgary]

I don't care for the lighting, shadows are your friend, lighting is flat it looks like you have used 2 lights at the same power, shadows give you form
Form - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[shmne]

We can all tell you aren't a pro, so most everyone here has commented in a positive way to help you improve for next time. KmH had some excellent suggestions and instead of getting defensive and responding to the critiques, just say "Ok, thanks I'll look into that next time."

Learning to take critiques isn't easy, but if you want to improve there isn't a choice no matter how negative the feedback is.

 

[ababysean]

oh and I think it is mean to say that if you saw this couple in real life vs these photos here, you would think they got invited to a ball. Seriously, the guy lives in ripped up sweat pants and a wife beater and so does the wife...
Nicest people in the world, they just don't care much for fashion, I guess.

 

[ababysean]

I appreciate every single comment. I am just trying to get a feel for what I should have done. They did bring a change of clothing, which was more horrid then this.

I also suggested jeans and a white tee. with more of a fit, but she "doesnt wear jeans"

The nude were just belly shots with her hand covering her breast.

 

[Petraio Prime]

oh and I think it is mean to say that if you saw this couple in real life vs these photos here, you would think they got invited to a ball. Seriously, the guy lives in ripped up sweat pants and a wife beater and so does the wife...
Nicest people in the world, they just don't care much for fashion, I guess.

Yes, but for a studio photo session people are supposed to get dressed up and get their hair done. If they don't know that you need to tell them. That's part of the job.

Also, note the lighting, posing, and backgrounds here:

http://www.altfg.com/Stars/m/mata-hari-31.jpg

http://www.nndb.com/people/744/000043615/john-barrymore.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwCZrdk2S...YQ/xHRRgonyGcE/s800/Greta+Garbo+in+Adrian.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a3hJByf-q...pHblq1s/s1600/2008_0917_getty_greta_garbo.jpg

 

[gsgary]

I appreciate every single comment. I am just trying to get a feel for what I should have done. They did bring a change of clothing, which was more horrid then this.

I also suggested jeans and a white tee. with more of a fit, but she "doesnt wear jeans"

The nude were just belly shots with her hand covering her breast.

You are best starting off using 1 light and a reflector when learning then start adding extra lights

 

[ababysean]

oh and I think it is mean to say that if you saw this couple in real life vs these photos here, you would think they got invited to a ball. Seriously, the guy lives in ripped up sweat pants and a wife beater and so does the wife...
Nicest people in the world, they just don't care much for fashion, I guess.

Yes, but for a studio photo session people are supposed to get dressed up and get their hair done. If they don't know that you need to tell them. That's part of the job.

Also, note the lighting, posing, and backgrounds here:

http://www.altfg.com/Stars/m/mata-hari-31.jpg

http://www.nndb.com/people/744/000043615/john-barrymore.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwCZrdk2S...YQ/xHRRgonyGcE/s800/Greta+Garbo+in+Adrian.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a3hJByf-q...pHblq1s/s1600/2008_0917_getty_greta_garbo.jpg

I understand but what if this IS them getting "dressed up and hair did"

I really appreciate the technical aspect of the critique, but not so much the "bash on the subjects" so if I am defending anything it is their looks, not my technique or style. I know I have TONS to learn, and doing stuff like this makes it possible, which is why I post pics here in the first place. I can take the heat.

 

[ababysean]

I appreciate every single comment. I am just trying to get a feel for what I should have done. They did bring a change of clothing, which was more horrid then this.

I also suggested jeans and a white tee. with more of a fit, but she "doesnt wear jeans"

The nude were just belly shots with her hand covering her breast.

You are best starting off using 1 light and a reflector when learning then start adding extra lights

This was ONE light.

 

[subscuck]

oh and I think it is mean to say that if you saw this couple in real life vs these photos here, you would think they got invited to a ball. Seriously, the guy lives in ripped up sweat pants and a wife beater and so does the wife...
Nicest people in the world, they just don't care much for fashion, I guess.

Yes, but for a studio photo session people are supposed to get dressed up and get their hair done. If they don't know that you need to tell them. That's part of the job.
http://

I think the point she was trying to make is, for them, that is dressed up. Telling people they don't look good in what they choose to wear is tricky water. I know. I used to be married.

 

[Petraio Prime]

oh and I think it is mean to say that if you saw this couple in real life vs these photos here, you would think they got invited to a ball. Seriously, the guy lives in ripped up sweat pants and a wife beater and so does the wife...
Nicest people in the world, they just don't care much for fashion, I guess.

Yes, but for a studio photo session people are supposed to get dressed up and get their hair done. If they don't know that you need to tell them. That's part of the job.

Also, note the lighting, posing, and backgrounds here:

http://www.altfg.com/Stars/m/mata-hari-31.jpg

http://www.nndb.com/people/744/000043615/john-barrymore.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dwCZrdk2S...YQ/xHRRgonyGcE/s800/Greta+Garbo+in+Adrian.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a3hJByf-q...pHblq1s/s1600/2008_0917_getty_greta_garbo.jpg

I understand but what if this IS them getting "dressed up and hair did"

Uh...(jaw dropping open)....

I really appreciate the technical aspect of the critique, but not so much the "bash on the subjects" so if I am defending anything it is their looks, not my technique or style. I know I have TONS to learn, and doing stuff like this makes it possible, which is why I post pics here in the first place. I can take the heat.

Carefully study the Hollywood glamor portraits I linked here. Watch old movies by Josef von Sternberg. Every scene is lit with incredible skill and beauty.

Josef von Sternberg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have seen these recently and they are stunning:

• Blonde Venus (1932)
• The Devil is a Woman (1935)
• Crime and Punishment (1935)

 

[gsgary]

I appreciate every single comment. I am just trying to get a feel for what I should have done. They did bring a change of clothing, which was more horrid then this.

I also suggested jeans and a white tee. with more of a fit, but she "doesnt wear jeans"

The nude were just belly shots with her hand covering her breast.

You are best starting off using 1 light and a reflector when learning then start adding extra lights

This was ONE light.

You must have set it on full power directly in front of them, where was it positioned
This is one of mine with one light and a large white board

 

[ababysean]

You want to compare normal people with movie stars? lol

Yea, jaw dropping for me too! But what can you say to someone who doesn't have a lot of money, go buy some better clothing? and get your hair cut? No I was doing this for free as the studio was free for me to use...

So again, if I am defensive of anything it is of their looks, not of my style or technique.

Also, I tried to make posing suggestions but she just was set on doing her own thing, how do you handle that situation. I told her for pics to LOOK good sometimes the pose is not comfortable or natural, but it will translate better to the picture. She didn't care.

Maybe I should not work with people I know. Taking instructions from strangers is probably better?

 

[ababysean]

It was on 1/8th power I believe to get the proper exposure at 1/200 and F11.

I was trying to get a look where they were in light and with harsh shadows...
I wish I could find the picture for the look I was going for.

 

[Petraio Prime]

You want to compare normal people with movie stars? lol

Yea, jaw dropping for me too! But what can you say to someone who doesn't have a lot of money, go buy some better clothing? and get your hair cut? No I was doing this for free as the studio was free for me to use...

So again, if I am defensive of anything it is of their looks, not of my style or technique.

Also, I tried to make posing suggestions but she just was set on doing her own thing, how do you handle that situation. I told her for pics to LOOK good sometimes the pose is not comfortable or natural, but it will translate better to the picture. She didn't care.

Maybe I should not work with people I know. Taking instructions from strangers is probably better?

You're right that posing people takes some skill and tact, and that what looks natural is not always what feels natural. I would not work with people who don't care, for obvious reasons.

I linked the movie star portraits not because they are movie stars, but because the studios hired the best portrait people in the world to work for them. Those faces made them money. The public needed to worship them. No better portraits have ever been made than these great 1930s Hollywood portraits. They are as a group, stunning. They are also worth studying and learning from.

You can learn a lot from them about lighting, posing, and background treatment.

http://www.seraphicpress.com/images/Crawford%20Retouched.jpg