Tattooed lady

[Granddad]

One of Jo from my last dancer studio shoot. I like this one because it shows her tattoo nicely (if you like tattoos, I'm neutral) but I recognise that the way her head is turned causes folds in the neck. C&C and advice on any aspect will be greatly appreciated. layball:

 

[Scuba]

I think the exposure needs to come down a bit, the image seems washed out.

 

[Vautrin]

I'd bump up the saturation and contrast in her tattoos using a brush so they really pop. Perhaps also upping the black point so the lines are really there.

Or do a details enhancer, increase structure or something.

Basically I would want her tattoos to be the object of the photo since they're so nice

like this (I kind of rushed her skin is a little yellowed...I cheated by selecting all her torso, but you could select just the tattoos and make it pop, although you'd need to take some time to really do the selection):

Also, I would LOVE to see this model topless in a bikini (or totally nude), with her back to the camera, so you don't see anything in the front but you really see how the tattoos look.... If she's ever in amsterdam let her know she has an interested photog

Also might consider putting to black and white like so (used silver efex pro, set to high structure smooth, green filter, upped the structure to 80%, then added a film grain) again this is a quick edit -- if this were my photo I'd selectively choose where to apply the high structure so you don't get over sharpening everywhere else. again really I'm targeting her tattoos and I'd want to make them pop:


Lastly, histogram looks funny all low and then giant spike in the far right hand corner. what's up with that?

 

[Mully]

About 3 stops overexposed ...if you shot in raw you can fix it

 

[Granddad]

More like this, Mully? I think you're all right, it was looking washed out - I've been working too long on processing today.

Vautrin, despite the title the emphasis for the shoot was on her as a dancer, not on her tattoos. If it were otherwise I'd take your advice ... I may play with it another time and see what I get.

Edit: As for the histogram, I'm no histogram expert (just starting to get my head around histograms) but I assumed that's because there's so much white in the background - if I'm talking through my hat there I'd welcome being corrected.



Edit: does it look a little too warm now or is it just my eyes?

 

[runnah]

Black backdrops make tattoos pop on pale skin. I don't expect you to go out and buy one but if you look at a lot of tattoo magazines they use em.

 

[Vautrin]

Irregardless of if you're trying to capture her or her tattoos, her tattoos ARE a big part of her and the photo...

And part of creating a good photo is making sure all elements are at their best.

That's why:

If there's garbage in a landscape scene, the scene will look better if you either pick up the litter or photoshop it out.
If a model has acne or skin blemishes, the photo will look better if you photoshop it out
If a model has stray hairs, the photo will look better if you photoshop it out.

It's really about making the little details look great to really make a WOW photo....

So that's why I'd say, even if you don't believe hte tattoos are the point of the photo, the photo will look better if you make the tattoos look better....

Just my two cents

 

[runnah]

Plus slap a little lotion or vasoline on the tats to make them shine and bring out colors.

p.s. I know my masking is sloppy and I don't care.

 

[Granddad]

Irregardless of if you're trying to capture her or her tattoos, her tattoos ARE a big part of her and the photo...

And part of creating a good photo is making sure all elements are at their best.

That's why:

If there's garbage in a landscape scene, the scene will look better if you either pick up the litter or photoshop it out.
If a model has acne or skin blemishes, the photo will look better if you photoshop it out
If a model has stray hairs, the photo will look better if you photoshop it out.

It's really about making the little details look great to really make a WOW photo....

So that's why I'd say, even if you don't believe hte tattoos are the point of the photo, the photo will look better if you make the tattoos look better....

Just my two cents

A good point... and the fine detail selection and enhancement will be good practise for me.

 

[o hey tyler]

Irregardless

Interesting tidbit which I hadn't realized until a few years ago... Irregardless is not actually a word (will it's the improper use of regardless or irrespective). Thought it was kinda interesting, and I figured I'd pass it along in case you have a thesis or something coming up.

 

[Granddad]

Black backdrops make tattoos pop on pale skin. I don't expect you to go out and buy one but if you look at a lot of tattoo magazines they use em.

I have a black backdrop and vaseline - If I get to shoot her again I'll suggest a few with emphasis on the tats. LOL!! I'm not a tat man (when I was a young man the only women who had tattoos were "ladies of questionable virtue") but I can see the point you and Vautrin are making... and Jo's tattoos are particularly artistic.

 

[Granddad]

Irregardless

Interesting tidbit which I hadn't realized until a few years ago... Irregardless is not actually a word (will it's the improper use of regardless or irrespective). Thought it was kinda interesting, and I figured I'd pass it along in case you have a thesis or something coming up.

Random! ... but interesting, nonetheless. :lmao:

 

[Vautrin]

Irregardless

Interesting tidbit which I hadn't realized until a few years ago... Irregardless is not actually a word (will it's the improper use of regardless or irrespective). Thought it was kinda interesting, and I figured I'd pass it along in case you have a thesis or something coming up.

Irregardless - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

 

[Vautrin]

Black backdrops make tattoos pop on pale skin. I don't expect you to go out and buy one but if you look at a lot of tattoo magazines they use em.

I have a black backdrop and vaseline - If I get to shoot her again I'll suggest a few with emphasis on the tats. LOL!! I'm not a tat man (when I was a young man the only women who had tattoos were "ladies of questionable virtue") but I can see the point you and Vautrin are making... and Jo's tattoos are particularly artistic.

remember to let us see the results

and I think someone gets tattoos like that they don't want to keep them hidden...she'll probably jump at the chance to show them off...

 

[o hey tyler]

Irregardless - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Didn't read to the bottom did ya? "Use regardless instead."

Just trying to help you out in case you're a college student. I made the mistake myself.