Holly at the Lake

[jenko]

This is my sweet friend, Holly. I know, she's beautiful. I took these shots last year at the lake. I am photographing her again soon, and thinking I will use this same location, as it has very interesting old trees going over the water (when it is not too high). Any suggestions for creative poses using the tree over the water? I don't want to do the same thing as last year. Also, I used ambient light in these shots. I am planning on using OCF this year for at least some of the shots.

 

[pixmedic]

very nice!

I like the pose in #2 better, but im not a big fan of B&W so I would have liked it better in color.
I like the lighting in #1 better, and color, focus, and exposure is great.
for the pose in #1, i like the way she is leaning on her arms, but i would have positioned them on her other side with her right shoulder towards the camera instead of her left.

 

[jenko]

very nice!

I like the pose in #2 better, but im not a big fan of B&W so I would have liked it better in color.
I like the lighting in #1 better, and color, focus, and exposure is great.
for the pose in #1, i like the way she is leaning on her arms, but i would have positioned them on her other side with her right shoulder towards the camera instead of her left.

Wonderful, thank you for the ideas and suggestions! Very helpful.

It is a bit tricky to pose on the tree, with all of its meanderings, as I want her to look comfortable and balanced, yet not to fall off!

 

[tirediron]

I agree wtih Jason about the poses; #2 is much nicer. In general, I find leaning back much more attractive than leaning forward; IMO, this pose appears strained, as if she's trying to keep herself from slipping. One pose that I 'see' immediately here is to have her laying down on the roots, head to the water, feet toward the camera, one arm trailing into the water with a dreamy, wistful sort of look. You could always to do some variation on 'The lady of the lake' as well...

 

[JacaRanda]

I like them both. In #2 maybe have her left arm bent a little. As it is, it makes her tricep look chunky when clearly it's not - see #1.

Don't you love how there are 5 million things to consider? Reminds me of how many things I could do to hit a golf ball straight.

 

[frommrstomommy]

These are VERY nice. #1 really grabbed my attention. My only nitpick is I kinda notice a fade of WB from top to bottom in #1. Probably just the way the sun hit but I might try and adjust that to warm up her legs a bit.

 

[BenT]

#1 the position seems unnatural..., I think that shot would be better if she had 1 leg on the other side of the branch.
I really like the second shot. And it's really beautiful in Black&White I think if you should show the one in colour I still prefer the one in Black&White.

 

[DarkShadow]

Nice shots and what was said already. I Do think B&W is the way to go on theses, No seen greens growing on the tree or other color distracting things. I feel it helps land the eye better on the model friend and less looking around,I think. I also like the tighter crop on #2 for a little less landscape.

 

[Derrel]

I like #1 with her in the burgundy crushed velvet (or velour, whateva', right?) mini-dress looking simply lovely...and her, sitting on that cool, weird tree rootball...nice! I do not like the pose in #2 one single bit; her upper arm looks fat, and she appears to be legless,and because of the focal length her hands appear unnaturally large, and like hawk claws, grasping a perch...

 

[jenko]

I agree wtih Jason about the poses; #2 is much nicer. In general, I find leaning back much more attractive than leaning forward; IMO, this pose appears strained, as if she's trying to keep herself from slipping. One pose that I 'see' immediately here is to have her laying down on the roots, head to the water, feet toward the camera, one arm trailing into the water with a dreamy, wistful sort of look. You could always to do some variation on 'The lady of the lake' as well...

Thanks for the suggestions and also the ideas for next shoot! Appreciate it greatly. I will have to look up Lady of the Lake.

I like them both. In #2 maybe have her left arm bent a little. As it is, it makes her tricep look chunky when clearly it's not - see #1.

Don't you love how there are 5 million things to consider? Reminds me of how many things I could do to hit a golf ball straight.

Yeah, I think her arm is actually more forward than the rest of her body, which is making it appear larger. I agree, there are so many things to remember. I am lucky to achieve 50% of them!

These are VERY nice. #1 really grabbed my attention. My only nitpick is I kinda notice a fade of WB from top to bottom in #1. Probably just the way the sun hit but I might try and adjust that to warm up her legs a bit.

Thank you very much! Yup, there is a bit of a color change. I think it's two things: first, the light reflecting off the water; second, she has a bit of a "farmer's tan." Her arms and chest are darker than her legs. I'll see if I can fix er up. Appreciate you pointing it out.

#1 the position seems unnatural..., I think that shot would be better if she had 1 leg on the other side of the branch.
I really like the second shot. And it's really beautiful in Black&White I think if you should show the one in colour I still prefer the one in Black&White.

Thanks for your input! I do most of my portrait work in B&W. Nothing against color, just prefer B&W.

Nice shots and what was said already. I Do think B&W is the way to go on theses, No seen greens growing on the tree or other color distracting things. I feel it helps land the eye better on the model friend and less looking around,I think. I also like the tighter crop on #2 for a little less landscape.

Thanks for the feedback and ideas!

I like #1 with her in the burgundy crushed velvet (or velour, whateva', right?) mini-dress looking simply lovely...and her, sitting on that cool, weird tree rootball...nice! I do not like the pose in #2 one single bit; her upper arm looks fat, and she appears to be legless,and because of the focal length her hands appear unnaturally large, and like hawk claws, grasping a perch...

Haha! Yes, the tree rootball thingy is pretty cool! I love this location. Lots of tall skinny trees scattered about and red dirt. It has a very "southern" feel to it. Yes, agree the upper arm is out of proportion. It was closer to the camera, as she extended it forward. I will have to keep an eye on that next time, as well as focal length. Appreciate the time, Derrel!