NSFW Portrait for class

[SoulfulRecover]

I have to do two indoor portraits using ambient light which I havent really ever done nor have I ever done a "sexy" photo. The girlfriend and I gave it a go for practice and came up with this shot. We were limited to my apartment but I dont think it came out bad. I wanted to blow out the back ground so you couldnt see the neighbors house


Anyway, Id love some feed back





I hate the railing but there wasnt much I could do. I was thinking about buying a thin white bed sheet and hanging it outside to create softer light and a less distracting back ground

 

[EIngerson]

I think the railing is fine. The model being OOF is the problem.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Not bad.. her right hand looks awkward though. I think you can expose it higher even more.

 

[cgipson1]

I think a smile would look better than that "I think I am sexy, but I am not sure" Deer in the headlights pouting look... and the right hand thing Robin mentioned, just looks awkward! Looks a little soft also.. did you use some sort of action or something?

 

[SoulfulRecover]

thanks guys! I think its soft mostly due to missing my focus and also having to shoot at ISO 640. I think my shutter speed was 1/30th? to slow to hand hold really but it was mostly a practice shot for really getting after it today once I get my tripod back. Plus we will be able to shoot at ~4 rather than 6:40pm. Glad I have north facing windows for once! now I just need a bigger place haha

 

[kundalini]

Her chest is as bright and has more surface area than the lit side of her face. With this competition, my eyes go to her chest first rather than her face.

If that is post work on her left buttock, it's kinda sloppy. Moving further down, the lack of an outline of her left leg is kinda odd looking.

I think some Fill light would balance the exposure better. Either a large reflector or OCF would help. This would probably allow you to shoot with a faster shutter speed.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

Her chest is as bright and has more surface area than the lit side of her face. With this competition, my eyes go to her chest first rather than her face.

If that is post work on her left buttock, it's kinda sloppy. Moving further down, the lack of an outline of her left leg is kinda odd looking.

I think some Fill light would balance the exposure better. Either a large reflector or OCF would help. This would probably allow you to shoot with a faster shutter speed.

thank you for your input. there is no PP on her buttock or her body in general. beyond my knowledge to do those things. Typically ill do some spot treatment then basically some levels, contrast, color.....

I did have a reflector (gold) and it helped some. Probably just need to move it closer to the subject? maybe use the silver side instead? I would just use my strobe but for the project we are only allowed to use natural light.

 

[Derrel]

What hurts the shot the most I think is the softness, the lack of clarity, probably due to camera shake. The overexposure on the background does help to reduce the degree of distraction from the outside architectural elements, and so I think the bright background is overall, a net positive. You're right--if it had a sheet or fabric behind her, the shot would be very different. I'm not sure if I like the hand above the head...it looks a bit odd that way.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

Thanks again everyone. With the weather being nice, the neighbors were outside or had all the windows open all day yesterday so no luck reshooting that picture just yet. But we did try for some in the bed and it was a fail as well. To slow of shutter speeds and the tripod some what helped but didnt overly. For whatever reason I struggled with this project quite a bit.

 

[DiskoJoe]

I think a smile would look better than that "I think I am sexy, but I am not sure" Deer in the headlights pouting look... and the right hand thing Robin mentioned, just looks awkward! Looks a little soft also.. did you use some sort of action or something?

Maybe a different look but not necessarily a smile. For some reason modeling and smiling are usually not the best mix.

But of the two shots here, #1 is the better. The real goal though is to make everything look as natural as possible. Dont over think it.

 

[fotofinish]

I actually like this shot. The main detraction for me is her right hand - the one up high - it looks like she is hanging on and if it was more leisurely like the left hand it would look better all up.

 

[DanOstergren25]

Rather than posing her so both her and the light source are in the shot, you could pose her somewhere so that the ambient light simply illuminates her instead of the light source really overtaking the photo. For example, pose her somewhere indoors and use a window to the side of her as the light source. If you don't put her directly in the light it will also give you very flattering soft light. I found this site after a quick google search and it has some pretty good tips and examples. Window Light Portrait Photography Tips ? PictureCorrect

I'm not saying you have to change the way you are using your indoor ambient light, but in my opinion you could get better results by making some adjustments to yours and your model's positioning in ratio to the light.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

Thank you guys for the continued help! When I get out of my psych class Ill check out the link.

 

[curtyoungblood]

I have been following this thread since you originally posted it, and actually opened it to post exactly when Dan just said. It looks like you've got some really great window light that would look nice if you weren't shooting into it. If you use the light, instead of shooting against it, it will also help with your slow shutter speed/ blurry issues. Knowing that you need to produce two images for a class, I would suggest using one image along the lines of what you're doing (I like the second one much better) and shoot something else where the window light is acting as your main light.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

These went over quite well in class despite the various issues, so I am thankful for that. But I still want to reshoot with the advice I have been given.