Summer and Autumn

[Hurme]

These two photos were taken two years apart. The first one is from 2010 summer while the latter is from this autumn. They seem to have some similar qualities so I decided to post them both here instead of doing separate threads. Both were lit with ambient and single softbox.

 

[jowensphoto]

Both appear to be technically solid, but they are both kind of boring. The poses are static and the backgrounds are not interesting.

The light does work to set a bit of a mood in each, just think you should expand on the ideas you already have.

 

[Hurme]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I can agree with the boring part in a way, they weren't meant to be anything more than they are. Personally I think the second portrait is one of my best photographs. The way her body follows the curve of the tree and how the light falls off to separate her from the tree. Simplicity and aesthetically pleasing with out being emotional or trying to show off.

 

[busamann]

The second photo is my favourite out of the two. Like the use of colour. The background and the mood also work quite well. Well done.

 

[The_Traveler]

Both appear to be technically solid, but they are both kind of boring. The poses are static and the backgrounds are not interesting.

The light does work to set a bit of a mood in each, just think you should expand on the ideas you already have.

Agree.

On the second, I think there is a bit too much on the top and right.
Cropping to bring her eye to the thirds line emphasizes the curve of the tree but eliminates much that is distracting and tension-deflating

 

[Hurme]

On the second, I think there is a bit too much on the top and right.
Cropping to bring her eye to the thirds line emphasizes the curve of the tree but eliminates much that is distracting and tension-deflating

I thought about this as well after I took the photo, but I believe the image is better the way it is. Space around the subject isn't always bad and although keeping your basic rule of thirds in mind is a good idea, it's not something that should be slavishly followed. In this case I like the massive tree that raises behind her and the play of light and shadow. It's true that cropping would bring the lady more in focus, but at the same time the photograph as a whole would become less.

Thanks for the comments and critique is always welcome even if I defend my point of view.

 

[The_Traveler]

No, problem.I wasn't advocating the thirds as a concept but merely as an easy point of reference.
In the original, that bright spot of bark in the upper right draws my eye and breaks up the composition for me but each to his/her own taste.

Lew