Sister in law

SoulfulRecover · Dec 29, 2014

The wifes sister wanted to act as a model for a photo I was after over the weekend so we gave it a shot. Shes never modeled and wasnt the most comfortable in front of the camera but I think the photo came out ok. Its a little boring but it was also hard to get her to move let a lone move into a natural interesting looking pose. I still like the shot but would love some critique on anything and everything. I also shot some 120 B&W, just have to wait for it to get processed.

Untitled by Shutter_Inc., on Flickr

tirediron · Dec 29, 2014

I like the image overall, the conversion is excellent, and the pose works. Unfortunately her face looks a little soft; the stripes on her dress are tack sharp, so I'm wondering if it could be missed focus? I would also do a little skin touch up on the under-arms. Other than that, nice image!

Granddad · Dec 29, 2014

She's got the hair, the looks and the figure and you've got the skill: maybe half a bottle of wine before the shoot would help crack the reserve?

I'd have shot from a little higher, the only problem that strikes me immediately is the perspective. Her legs look disproportionately long compared to her upper body.... although that could also be partly an effect caused by a combination of the horizontal stripes and the belt.

SoulfulRecover · Dec 29, 2014

I did shoot a little low and looking at the image I was thinking it may have been a bit too low. Thank you for pointing that out.

Not sure wine would help all that much haha. Maybe a few shots. Shes not very comfortable with her body which really showed when trying to direct her but it was still fun.

I saw that the focus was missed as well. Im not really sure what happened there and it seems to happen quite a bit when Im shooting full body. Ill aim my camera at the eyes/face and get the focus then aim the camera down a little to compose. Im not sure if I am moving or maybe she shifted or Im just way off base with getting my focus. I was shooting at f/8 as well. Maybe its because of the angle I was at as well. Im not really sure what I am doing thats producing softer images. When Im shooting head shots, theyre always tack sharp.

Granddad · Dec 30, 2014

I have a tendency to shoot low, too. I'm 6'1" and with a short dining room I often have to shoot on the low end of my 24-70 to get a full length shot. To get one that doesn't appear to be too distorted I usually aim to have the lens at about upper chest height - give or take a little and play it by ear, or eye.

If your sister-in-law isn't comfortable with her body she doesn't appear to have good cause; although many attractive women have a similar problem when the camera appears. As a connoisseur it looks like a fine body (and all the rest) to me. She might want to do some reading on how to dress to look her best, strong horizontal stripes, as in the dress, tend to create the illusion of wideness, especially when combined with the belt at waist level. Also posing at the standard 45 degree angle to the camera is more flattering.

Just a thought, if she has difficulty relaxing for the camera maybe try some Vogue style haughty model images?

SoulfulRecover · Dec 30, 2014

Another from the shoot. I clipped the top of her head in this one so I had to merge two photos to get the complete image I liked.

Untitled by Shutter_Inc., on Flickr

SoulfulRecover · Dec 30, 2014

Granddad said:
Just a thought, if she has difficulty relaxing for the camera maybe try some Vogue style haughty model images?

Could you link an example?

MRnats · Dec 31, 2014

I like that shot a lot. For not being a comfortable model she still does a good job. Is that your wife in the other pics on your flickr? They look the same.

SoulfulRecover · Dec 31, 2014

yeah its the wifey. they get asked if they are twins all the time haha. I think they are 4 years apart?

TreeofLifeStairs · Jan 1, 2015

I thought they looked identical too.

FITBMX · Jan 1, 2015

Your wife seems very comfortable in front of the camera. Maybe you can do another shoot, with your wife and sister in law together. It might make your SIL feel more comfortable!

As for the two photos here, it looks like you did a great job to me! I like your lighting!