Tried a concept, didnt like it, feedback would be awesome

[SoulfulRecover]

I have been working on a short series of photos and my recent shoot did not go well. To me there is nothing dynamic about the photo or angle and I would like to reshoot with some fresh ideas on how to approach this. I wanted the image to be dark, black and white and in the woods for a fantasy feel. I have two strobes that can be used as well to help control/cut the ambient light. The girl in the photo is the one who took the time to PP the photo just because she liked it but I know I can do better. Anyone have any ideas on how to approach this?

 

[tirediron]

Is her movement intentional? I would definitely flash up some strobe power and knock the background down by at least two stops. I would probably move about 30 degrees left for my shooting position, and light her with a large gridded BD as key from 90 degrees [current] camera left, and a large very low output SB right on [current] camera axis. I would also look for a level patch of ground; I can see the image is level based on the tree trunks, but because the ground is sloping, it's a little irritating to the eye (my eye at least). I also think the pattern & number of bulbs needs to be tweaked; a more even, 'rain-like' pattern I think would work better.

 

[vintagesnaps]

The movement of the legs particularly almost looks like a double image instead of movement. And the position seems a bit awkward, to me it looks like she's trying to balance on whatever she was on, maybe think about how to position her so she doesn't have to try too hard to balance.

I like the idea of B&W and the bubble-like clear light bulbs dropping from the sky although I'd think about if you want those to continue to the top of the photo or as John said how you want the pattern. I think all the green, the blue of the dress, and her skintone for the most part will make for a lot of gray. I'd think about the time of day, and where you want her against the trees (and agree it might be better not on a slope). There is a little dark and light but not much in the trees that are viewable and more of that might translate better into black and white. (And watch the tree growing out of the subject, it's not bad but somewhat coming up out of her middle.)

I'd think too about what she's wearing (cute dress! works for fun/casual but not sure about it in B&W). With her somewhat light skin and light hair do you want her in white or a light color to highlight her against the background? or in a dark color or black to have contrast herself against her light skin/hair?

Cool idea, glad she liked it.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

Is her movement intentional? I would definitely flash up some strobe power and knock the background down by at least two stops. I would probably move about 30 degrees left for my shooting position, and light her with a large gridded BD as key from 90 degrees [current] camera left, and a large very low output SB right on [current] camera axis. I would also look for a level patch of ground; I can see the image is level based on the tree trunks, but because the ground is sloping, it's a little irritating to the eye (my eye at least). I also think the pattern & number of bulbs needs to be tweaked; a more even, 'rain-like' pattern I think would work better.

so if I understand you correctly the set up should be similar to this:

 

[tirediron]

Is her movement intentional? I would definitely flash up some strobe power and knock the background down by at least two stops. I would probably move about 30 degrees left for my shooting position, and light her with a large gridded BD as key from 90 degrees [current] camera left, and a large very low output SB right on [current] camera axis. I would also look for a level patch of ground; I can see the image is level based on the tree trunks, but because the ground is sloping, it's a little irritating to the eye (my eye at least). I also think the pattern & number of bulbs needs to be tweaked; a more even, 'rain-like' pattern I think would work better.

so if I understand you correctly the set up should be similar to this:

I'd have the key on the opposite "end" that is, illuminating her face and torso, and using the grid to force fall off toward the legs. Notsure if the results will be what you want, but when I use my cranial image simulation software, that seems to produce a good looking image.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

thanks for the help! I will give it a shot hopefully this weekend.

Ill also stop by the park and do a little more scouting for a location and see what all she has in the wardrobe department

Any other ideas are more than welcome as well.

 

[tirediron]

I think Sharon's point about the clothing is key as well; have you thought of doing this either as a nude/implied nude, or in some sort of fantasy/princess type outfit?

 

[SoulfulRecover]

I think Sharon's point about the clothing is key as well; have you thought of doing this either as a nude/implied nude, or in some sort of fantasy/princess type outfit?

I wanted to do a long flowing hippie/bohemian white cotton dress. I asked this girl (shes in my business class) if she had that specifically and she said yes and that should would love to be the subject. When she showed up it was that blue dress. I didnt have high hopes that the shoot was going to work the first time through so I just went with it to try out the concept and see if I could get it to work how I see it in my head. In all honesty when I get it down where I would like it to be, I will end up bringing in an aspiring model and MUA thats been wanting to do something with me for a little bit. I didnt think about nude/implied nude though. That could get pretty cool with the right fabric. Have it long enough to have someone hold it up then drop it to give some movement in the dress. Ill see if I can dig around and link some pictures that inspired this to give a better sense on what I am looking to accomplish.

 

[Virgil]

Yes, u should do it in nude !!

 

[SoulfulRecover]

I would like the DoF to be similar to this: https://www.flickr.com/photos/92867710@N03/13520690403/

Dress style similar to this: https://www.flickr.com/photos/michellemagnoli/12898065295/

Maybe a head band: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosie_hardy/3346272839/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebottlebellphotography/1879004211/

The floating look: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brookeshaden/4961537660/

The darker tonality I am after: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brookeshaden/13888464216/

It would be very Brooke Shaden in feel (I know a lot of it is done in post) but of course with my own subtleties and I would like to go black and white to go with the first photo I did which is this one: Untitled by Shutter_Inc., on Flickr

I know this is very ambitious, but I think I can pull it off if I keep trying at it

 

[vintagesnaps]

It wasn't bad at all for a practice shoot, seemed like it was fun and she liked it (and may not have realized what you had in mind, she might have thought boho chic not ethereal etc.).

I like the idea of white, flowing (to me nude would be a lot of skin! with this type pose anyway unless you figured out how to drape something, but I can't quite picture that looking believable) - maybe white but semi-sheer? With a long flowing dress maybe it would cover whatever the model balances on to give an illusion of floating, to me the floating midair is so obviously photoshopped it can get hokey, makes me think of a magician's trick.

Have fun with it, seems like the end result could be pretty cool.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

It wasn't bad at all for a practice shoot, seemed like it was fun and she liked it (and may not have realized what you had in mind, she might have thought boho chic not ethereal etc.).

I like the idea of white, flowing (to me nude would be a lot of skin! with this type pose anyway unless you figured out how to drape something, but I can't quite picture that looking believable) - maybe white but semi-sheer? With a long flowing dress maybe it would cover whatever the model balances on to give an illusion of floating, to me the floating midair is so obviously photoshopped it can get hokey, makes me think of a magician's trick.

Have fun with it, seems like the end result could be pretty cool.

I am a bit worried about the floating looking too fake as well. I had her do a couple different poses to get as natural of a look as I could but she was struggling a little with core strength to hold herself up a bit along with her legs. She did great though and was very helpful. Thinking through some of this and something else going on earlier today allowed me to come up with the next photo in the series as well. Wont be anywhere near as difficult as this one so it may get done first but as I work on this I will for sure update with the work for some feed back.