A brave Model

[JustJazzie]

My model has been brave enough to let me post these for a c&c. She wasn't happy with some of the shots, but she hasn't elaborated as to why yet. I was using new strobes, and a new editing program so be truthful, but nice please! this is IMO the "best" and the "worst" that I sent her. I have more from the shoot, but I know most of the time people get scolded for posting too many, so I will hold myself back.

The red cast difference was me trying to pull some red tones our of her skin, but one photo didn't need it as much.

the beautiful watermark is added at the request of my model. ;-)

 

[Derrel]

I dunno...not great, not horrible. She looks good, figure and face-wise...many women would kill to have that kind of body...she has pretty hair, big eyes...I dunno, I find these generally pleasant to look at. I have seen MUCH worse, and more-awkward boudoir stuff here and elsewhere. I have no idea what it is that she expected or wants; perhaps a high degree of airbrushed perfection, as is seen so,so often these days on the web and in catalogs and magazines?

 

[tecboy]

You should put the watermark in the lower right hand corner. Photo 2, the cropping is too tight on left and right sides. Photo 3, the top side is cropped too tight.

 

[JustJazzie]

You should put the watermark in the lower right hand corner. Photo 2, the cropping is too tight on left and right sides. Photo 3, the top side is cropped too tight.

I won't be moving the watermark. If I make it small and in the corner it's too easily cropped out. She specifically requested a larger watermark when I asked if I could post for critique.

As for cropping, I insisted on using my 50mm in a small space since it's my sharpest lens. I might have to make a sacrifice when we try again and use my 18-200z

 

[JustJazzie]

I dunno...not great, not horrible. She looks good, figure and face-wise...many women would kill to have that kind of body...she has pretty hair, big eyes...I dunno, I find these generally pleasant to look at. I have seen MUCH worse, and more-awkward boudoir stuff here and elsewhere. I have no idea what it is that she expected or wants; perhaps a high degree of airbrushed perfection, as is seen so,so often these days on the web and in catalogs and magazines?[/QUOTE ]

Come on Derrel! You've gotta have better than "I've seen worse!" What can I improve on??

 

[wyogirl]

First off, they aren't bad but again, they aren't OMG either.
Second, any woman getting these kinds of photos taken will have some she doesn't like and it will likely have more to do with her own body issues than your photography.
For the first pic, I would like to see the exposure bumped just a hair.
Now, just a recommendation for the next time... Her hair and makeup are just ok. Think of boudoir as "glamour shots". If she truly wants these pics to make her look fab, the model will have a pro do her hair and makeup. It will make ALL the difference in the end result.

 

[wyogirl]

Also, lets me real... her "outfit" isn't nearly sexy enough. I've seen teenagers wear less clothes in public. Also props like long strands of pearls, high heels etc help make these types of shots "more".

 

[Derrel]

Again, these three are supposed to be the best and the worst...hmmm...well, the second and the last are okay shots. Maybe process them with more pizzaz? I really do not know....maybe add some "processing effects"? I'm not honestly sure what I would do, except perhaps refine the way the "light" looks, like in the second shot; it needs more fill, in my opinion. On the last shot, it could use a bit more space above the top of her head, and the processing could be "refined" let's call it, for a more sophisticated look.

 

[JustJazzie]

Also, lets me real... her "outfit" isn't nearly sexy enough. I've seen teenagers wear less clothes in public. Also props like long strands of pearls, high heels etc help make these types of shots "more".

This was just a "mini" practice session, and honestly had she been wearing less I wouldn't have asked her if I could post them online....

My focus in these shots, and what I'm generally asking for critique on is lighting/posing/editing.

 

[JustJazzie]

Again, these three are supposed to be the best and the worst...hmmm...well, the second and the last are okay shots. Maybe process them with more pizzaz? I really do not know....maybe add some "processing effects"? I'm not honestly sure what I would do, except perhaps refine the way the "light" looks, like in the second shot; it needs more fill, in my opinion. On the last shot, it could use a bit more space above the top of her head, and the processing could be "refined" let's call it, for a more sophisticated look.

Thanks for the feedback! I will take it into my next shoot.

 

[limr32 1]

I like the first one the best. The pose, lighting, and facial expression all work. The third one is nice, too, although she looks a bit stiff.

The second one is my least favorite. The lighting is too uneven and the look on her face suggests impatience. Her body is again a bit stiff, like she's worried more about hiding something she doesn't like about her body. This might be true, but the trick is to make it look like she's highlighting what she really likes about her body rather than hiding or disguising something she doesn't like. I think her legs could be stretched out further, for example.

I also think it would help to make the setting a little less 'bedroom' and a bit more 'boudoir' if that makes any sense. Maybe an unmade bed, rumpled sheets, more pillows strewn around...to suggest that a little somethin'-somethin' has already recently happened and she's looking to have it happen again

 

[Parker219]

OP- Are your photos okay to edit? You should update your settings to reflect your preference.

 

[JustJazzie]

OP- Are your photos okay to edit? You should update your settings to reflect your preference.

I would prefer these not be edited thanks.

But if you have a suggestion for somethig I should try, let me know.

 

[Trblmkr]

I think the pictures themselves are fine, the problem is she probably did her own hair and make up. As suggested, get a pro to come in and help her come up with a new look. My guess she's looking for the "wow" and that's not going to happen with her doing her own make up. You have to remember when you're taking pictures of women, they are comparing themselves to everything they see on tv/magazine covers. So you have to live up to that exaggerated type of photography.

 

[cynicaster]

I think the shots are OK, but they lack that elusive impact, or “wow factor”.

It looks like an attractive lady had 15 minutes to spare so she slipped on her nighty and posed for some photos on some drab neutral-colored bedding she bought at Wal-Mart. The model is sexy enough, but she needs to put on some nice makeup and lay down on some silky red sheets, or, generally speaking, something more exaggerated and suggestive of “fantasy”.

To be clear, I don’t mean to insult the model’s makeup or the décor of that bedroom—as both are just fine for the real world—I’m simply making the point that the humdrum of the real world is probably not what you want to capture in photos like these.

Lastly, the model is probably used to seeing “sexy” photos that are airbrushed and liquefied 6 ways from Sunday, so don’t be afraid to give her face a touch of the ol’ plastic skin treatment.

I’m not a connoisseur of this type of photography by any means, so you may want to take these comments with a grain of salt.