Feedback requested: first female model shoot (skimpy outfit warning)

[Lmphotos]

To me the above crotch shots is not good posing. Good posing includes so many elements right down to a models fingers and on top of all that then you have to make them feel comfortable and not feel posed! Sounds like a catch 22 right in my mind its a hard thing to master and on top of all that you have women who usually have some type of insecurity and trying to make them feel comfortable in scant clothing as well as other angles/factors for a woman's body. The above poses nothing about them are feminine, the second with the camera angled up at her even looks feminine. I bought a book by Roberto Valenzuela and he open my mind to posing on a whole different level! What I thought was "good" turned out was not good enough as he thinks of every small detail and finesses his posing so intricately ever since I seen GOOD posing it has become one of the harder things.

 

[e.rose]

I bought a book by Roberto Valenzuela and he open my mind to posing on a whole different level! What I thought was "good" turned out was not good enough as he thinks of every small detail and finesses his posing so intricately ever since I seen GOOD posing it has become one of the harder things.

What book did you buy? Feel free to PM me, so we don't derail the thread...

 

[Ballistics]

Here's the one with the light stand in the frame:

And another on the couch:

Your first 2 are posed and composed better than these, but these are sharper and lit better.

As for the light stand being in the shot, you can easily clone that out. Don't be afraid to have your stands and stuff in the shot,
just as long as they are easily cropped or cloned.

#2, your POV could be much better and really improved the shot. In fact, if she stayed exactly like that, you swung to your right so that you are in off to her side and in front of her, you would have had a much stronger shot.
You would have had to change nothing about her. And a slightly more shallow DOF would aid with the shot.

 

[cgipson1]

I liked what she was giving me, so I didn't feel the need to try to direct her more. I happen to like the poses.

You said you think you have enough to get into Model Mayhem but did you even look at their top notch images? These poses and their technicals don't come close. You obviously have talent and equipment, but I gotta tell ya, your attitude sucks. First, take the C & C for the model, not just your lighting. As a photographer, you have to be in charge and the model needs to perform based on your direction. Look at the photos and blogs in Model Mayhem-there's one right on the home page about posing. And lighten up-you think people here are bashing? Wait til the real fun starts

I meant that I have enough to get my foot in the door. You need four pictures to even create an account at all, and I had nothing.

I'm going to agree to disagree on the model direction thing. I'm not going to interrupt someone's flow if they're giving me good results. I'm not saying I don't need to know how to direct/pose a model or subject because clearly that is something I need to work on.

And no one even brought up the "bashing" word until you did here.

That is what many here are trying to say! She WASN't giving you good results... and you lack the experience to know that. And yet you keep saying you "liked" it. For a first attempt at anything remotely serious... they are ok... but not anywhere close to good. You also (obviously) lack the experience to direct her properly... but give it time and you can learn that. But not unless you are willing to admit (at least to yourself) that you didn't really have a clue! Otherwise, you will just keep on shooting the same stuff... because you aren't willing to listen. (Interrupt someone's flow? lol!)

 

[cgipson1]

whyyyyyy!? I feel like the ultra feminist in this group but not a fan of a woman being photographed in this way I think there is a way to photograph a woman and be sexy while still keeping it classy. Needless to say I hate the posing. Was this something she wanted? The outfit choices are horrible she seems like a pretty girl but its hard to tell with the way shes being depicted.

Yeah, I agree with you. LOL

I'm not into the "Playboy Styling" type of shoot... but... I didn't mention it because that's a personal opinion based on my tastes.

...but yeah I agree. I have a hard time critiquing stuff like this because my overall reaction is just "I don't like it".

I have to force myself to be critical of only the technical aspects.

This AIN'T playboy style! It is sort of maybe "playing" at playboy style...

While I find the magazine a bit silly... they do have good lighting and photography most of the time.

 

[cgipson1]

Here's the one with the light stand in the frame:


Sexy in Red #2 by davidgevert, on Flickr

And another on the couch:


Sexy in Red #3 by davidgevert, on Flickr

This is like "Soft Lonely Housewife Porn"! Is that what you were going for? Not attractive.... The model is ok, but the poses, outfits, and expressions are just not attractive.... imo!

 

[Robin_Usagani]

I dont think you can blame it on the photographer 100%. Based on her outfit she chose to wear and the location, I think it was destined to fail. If I was shooting her, I would have encouraged her to wear something that someone would wear at home, not a dancer outfit. Why cant she wear lingerie or something? I dont get it.

 

[daggah]

Kindly remove yourself from my thread, Charlie.

 

[cgipson1]

Kindly remove yourself from my thread, Charlie.

hahaha... sure! I shouldn't have bothered...

Although I do have the right to post here! You can't selectively pick who you allow to post! But I said what I wanted to say... and you obviously don't want to learn!

 

[jamborras]

I'm definitely not an expert but ^^^^ was exactly what I was thinking... Homemade house wife "porn"

 

[daggah]

I dont think you can blame it on the photographer 100%. Based on her outfit she chose to wear and the location, I think it was destined to fail. If I was shooting her, I would have encouraged her to wear something that someone would wear at home, not a dancer outfit. Why cant she wear lingerie or something? I dont get it.

There's reasons for the outfits that I don't want to go into here, actually. But that's a subjective thing. I'm looking more for feedback on the technicals and less on whether people find the model or her attire attractive.

 

[Ballistics]

To me the above crotch shots is not good posing. Good posing includes so many elements right down to a models fingers and on top of all that then you have to make them feel comfortable and not feel posed! Sounds like a catch 22 right in my mind its a hard thing to master and on top of all that you have women who usually have some type of insecurity and trying to make them feel comfortable in scant clothing as well as other angles/factors for a woman's body. The above poses nothing about them are feminine, the second with the camera angled up at her even looks feminine. I bought a book by Roberto Valenzuela and he open my mind to posing on a whole different level! What I thought was "good" turned out was not good enough as he thinks of every small detail and finesses his posing so intricately ever since I seen GOOD posing it has become one of the harder things.

I didn't say that the poses were perfect. But they aren't as bad as you guys are making them out to be. In fact, they are a lot better than you make them out to be.
Like e-rose said, this may not be your cup of tea, but if you are going to critique, you have to do it without bias. Also, just because you read somewhere that shooting at an upward angle makes a woman look less feminine, doesn't mean it's true all the time. It's also an empowerment angle. And it can be used for women as well. And I'll tell you, you don't think these poses are feminine, but they certainly aren't masculine.

 

[e.rose]

While I find the magazine a bit silly... they do have good lighting and photography most of the time.

That's actually true. I was referring more to the genre when I said that.

 

[cgipson1]

While I find the magazine a bit silly... they do have good lighting and photography most of the time.

That's actually true. I was referring more to the genre when I said that.

I luvs ya, E!

 

[Lmphotos]

They all feed in together and IMO they are all technical aspects. You can have a perfectly lit image, with perfect exposure but if the content is not there the shoot is a fail.