Model/Product Shot (self portrait)

nickzou · Dec 1, 2011

The pose itself is great; very contemporary BJJ. Hands gripping the belt, shoulders relaxed, in many it ways it seems volumes about the nuances differences between stand up arts, where even in the Wai Kru which is supposed to be like a fluid dance all the poses are structured, hard, and precise, where as BJJ is adaptive, free flowing, and loose. But you should be a little more square to the camera, we should be able to clearly see your far shoulder.

joealcantar · Dec 1, 2011

If I only had one light and was shooting black uniform as this, I would get away from the white sheet and shoot it in a darker environment. Alley, brick walls, dumpsters etc (unfriendly environment) to give it more impact. Take the light off camera above and to the left or right of camera depending on what kind of lighting you have at location. Have fun with it , never know it may turn into something as others may want a shot like it once you get it right. (and there is where it all starts, you will be hooked and maybe make a little money on the side).

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Shoot well, Joe

MissCream · Dec 1, 2011

PLEASE re-shoot this with the Zoolander face! PLEASE

On a side note, it does look like a cut out, I have the same problem with white backgrounds so I offer no advice

cgipson1 · Dec 1, 2011

Rotanimod... have you ever used an ID "AmateurAllie" ? lol! (private joke! No offense meant!)

Ballistics · Dec 1, 2011

Haha wow, my threads are popular. I have some time to kill so I'll respond to everyone.

Ballistics · Dec 1, 2011

Rotanimod said:
Vtec44 said:

1. Get a better looking model.2. I'd get some more light on the the black clothing to try to create some definition.My humble opinion...

Click to expand...

Yo your humble opinion makes you look like an a-hole when the guy was clearly modest and was asking for advice from a purely photographic standpoint. My advice to OP. Look at some martial arts portraiture. Study the details of the images that appeal to you. Then, through trial and error, do your best to recreate the image.

I can relate to taking offense for others. It is hard to tell whether or not someone is being playful or just being flat out mean via text, and I appreciate you coming to my defense. I will say however, whether or not Vtec was kidding (and I give him the benefit of the doubt that he was because I interact with him often on here) it's not a big deal for me. It's not to say that we as members shouldn't look out for each other because I think we should but if there is a possibility that a member who makes a remark that could be conceived as both humorous or hurtful, the best thing to do in this situation to avoid a e-brawl is to just ask what their intentions were.

Now regarding your advice, I am trying to learn how to create an image that would be suitable for a catalog. I am working with very limited resources though. Very small apartment, 1 flash.

Ballistics · Dec 1, 2011

e.rose said:
And SINCE I'm here... Ballistics, it looks to me like you cut yourself out of the background of something. I know that you were up against white, but there's no gradient of light or anything... no tonal changes... it just looks like a cutout to me, haha.

I don't know if that's what you were going for or not, but that's the first thing I thought.

That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid lmao. I don't want the cut out look, but I also am trying to duplicate infinite white. What really makes it look like a cutout imo is my hair/head.

cgipson1 · Dec 1, 2011

Ballistics, has anyone aver mentioned that you bear a resemblance to

ghache · Dec 1, 2011

this is how its should be done man! :lol:

As for your picture, i think its well done. A bit more rim light would have been nice. I would frame it differently and remove the dead space on the left. Seems like you framed to comply with the ROT but a straight up shot like this on a plain white background, i would put you right on the center.

Ballistics · Dec 1, 2011

Derrel said:
I think the black garment needs more detail showing...it looks pretty dark and featureless as lighted. A little bit less head tilt, and your shoulders more-squared to the camera would make you look bigger, tougher, and more masculine. The current degree of body and shoulder angle is just a little bit too much. Self-portraiture is very difficult.

nickzou said:
The pose itself is great; very contemporary BJJ. Hands gripping the belt, shoulders relaxed, in many it ways it seems volumes about the nuances differences between stand up arts, where even in the Wai Kru which is supposed to be like a fluid dance all the poses are structured, hard, and precise, where as BJJ is adaptive, free flowing, and loose. But you should be a little more square to the camera, we should be able to clearly see your far shoulder.

Here's another from last night.

blackroninmodelsqr by Compressed Memories, on Flickr

I tried dodging out the black as much as I could. Black cloth has been giving me such an issue.
Shoulders are more square and my posture is a little better.

Ballistics · Dec 1, 2011

cgipson1 said:
Ballistics, has anyone aver mentioned that you bear a resemblance to

Haha more than you know.

Ballistics · Dec 1, 2011

ghache said:
this is how its should be done man!

As for your picture, i think its well done. A bit more rim light would have been nice. I would frame it differently and remove the dead space on the left. Seems like you framed to comply with the ROT but a straight up shot like this on a plain white background, i would put you right on the center.

Haha nice pic. What do you mean by rim light? I just posted a second pic, it's a bit more centered and I agree I like it centered.

bogeyguy · Dec 1, 2011

Rotanimod said:
Who's friends, and who isn't I don't really care about e.Rose. Thats beside the point. So you can leave your condescending attitude at the door. This is a public forum and anything posted is subject to various interpretations. Knowing that they had some sort of previous relationship that warrants such sarcasm and jabs obviously nulls my original intent to protect OP from distasteful feedback.

Seems to me that your the one with the attitude. If you can't recognize a bit of tongue in cheek humor, well that's a pity. Chill a bit my friend and go with the flow.

Ballistics · Dec 1, 2011

bogeyguy said:
Rotanimod said:

Who's friends, and who isn't I don't really care about e.Rose. Thats beside the point. So you can leave your condescending attitude at the door. This is a public forum and anything posted is subject to various interpretations. Knowing that they had some sort of previous relationship that warrants such sarcasm and jabs obviously nulls my original intent to protect OP from distasteful feedback.

Click to expand...

Seems to me that your the one with the attitude. If you can't recognize a bit of tongue in cheek humor, well that's a pity. Chill a bit my friend and go with the flow.