Model looking AT or AWAY from the camera? Opinion Please

[Parker219]

At first this text was going to be my opinion, but I want to see what everyone thinks first.

This photos is for a day spa, and would be in a magazine promoting the day spa, their website, and social media.


So do you prefer photo 1, with the model looking at the camera or photo 2 with her looking away.

I will make this a poll, in case some people just want to vote and go on their way.

However any reasoning or general comments welcomed!

Thank You





1.

2.

 

[kdthomas]

If I had to choose, I would say the second. The first photo has, to me, almost an artificial plastic-doll feel. And ... I swear I'm not trying to be mean ... but both poses almost seem to have a morgue-ish feel to them, with the arms straight to the sides.

And to me, I'd prefer all of the hair be in focus. I wonder if a shot looking straight down at her from above, head very slightly to one side, with an eyes-closed, placid-relaxation, meditative feel to it might work better, maybe with an arm draped across her midriff.

 

[Designer]

In which photo do you claim that the model is looking "at" the camera?

 

[JacaRanda]

Prefer #2. The left eye looks a bit weird not being able to see the pupil, and only part of it in the right eye.

 

[Designer]

Eyes open, looking somewhere other than at the camera is the better of the two.

 

[The_Traveler]

I like the first more. Even though she is sort of looking at the camera, it looks more natural to me.
Looking 'away' as in #2 makes me more conscious of her looking away.

The blanched spots really detract, imo.

 

[Parker219]

If I had to choose, I would say the second. The first photo has, to me, almost an artificial plastic-doll feel. And ... I swear I'm not trying to be mean ... but both poses almost seem to have a morgue-ish feel to them, with the arms straight to the sides.

And to me, I'd prefer all of the hair be in focus. I wonder if a shot looking straight down at her from above, head very slightly to one side, with an eyes-closed, placid-relaxation, meditative feel to it might work better, maybe with an arm draped across her midriff.

^ I needed you at the photo shoot yesterday! I didn't know what to do with her arms / posing. I THINK I have a shot that is similar to what you are describing though. I am still going through them.

Eyes open, looking somewhere besides the camera is the better of the two.

Fair point...looking in the general direction of the camera...

 

[Parker219]

I like the first more. Even though she is sort of looking at the camera, it looks more natural to me.
Looking 'away' as in #2 makes me more conscious of her looking away.

The blanched spots really detract, imo.

View attachment 90736

I should be able to take the highlights down to fix that, I think I actually INCREASED them, because I didn't want the image to look flat, but I don't want the whites to be blown either...I will see if I can find a happy medium. Thanks for the input!


Hmmm...this was editing the entire photo to reduce the highlights( plus a fix on the nose ), but it looks like I need to spot treat to get it perfect.

 

[Parker219]

By the way, if someone has a vision for these photos or any of mine, feel free to edit, I am new to these type of photo shoots, so any direction is helpful.

 

[Designer]

You might position the camera in such a place that the model can look at the camera.

 

[Parker219]

You might position the camera in such a place that the model can look at the camera.

I have some like that, but as of now the model not looking at the camera is winning the poll.

 

[Nevermore1]

I like the 2nd one. Like kdthomas mentioned, first think I though of was a morgue shot. She looks sorta stiff in both of them to me instead of relaxed.

 

[Parker219]

^ I wonder if I crop a little off the right, if that will help with that. Or what I can do about that after the fact.

 

[Designer]

[I have some like that, but as of now the model not looking at the camera is winning the poll.

You could qualify for a career as a political pollster.

Give 'em false information and incomplete questions, and "magically" arrive at the result you wanted.

I hear the New York Times is hiring.

 

[Designer]

The reason I didn't vote in your poll is because I didn't like either one.