Dangerous Girl - C&C appreciated

[dviv]

Had an outdoor shoot today which was going well until it turned really hot....

C&C Would be appreciated

[methd]

Just a quick crit - the first picture has no details in the blacks...

[dviv]

Just a quick crit - the first picture has no details in the blacks...

Thanks Methd - I screwed up the PP - How is the new version?

[Doctor]

Nice shots, ive always toyed with the idea of getting a few people together for a shoot similar to this, but im unsure as to how the general public would react to two, or even one person wielding a sword in public, i dont really want my swords confiscated or anything...... How did you go with this? anyone get uncomfortable and call in the boys in blue?

[aim54x]

Great work overall. Makes me want to dig out my Hadafang and set up a shoot!! However #1 does nothing for me, she lacks the intensity that that pose requires.

Great work though!

[dviv]

Thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated.

but im unsure as to how the general public would react to two, or even one person wielding a sword in public

No-one seemed to bat an eyelid when I pulled out the full three sword set

Might have been because a girl was doing it

she lacks the intensity that that pose requires.

Thanks for the feedback - I was trying but obviosuly didn't get enough from her.. Being an ex-martial artist, it was quite frustrating to try and get that intesnse look and the right pose at the same time.

She is a very inexperienced model but got a lot better towards the end of the shoot. It was a great opportunity to practice directing a model so at least I can take that from the day

[aim54x]

she lacks the intensity that that pose requires.

Thanks for the feedback - I was trying but obviosuly didn't get enough from her.. Being an ex-martial artist, it was quite frustrating to try and get that intesnse look and the right pose at the same time.

She is a very inexperienced model but got a lot better towards the end of the shoot. It was a great opportunity to practice directing a model so at least I can take that from the day

It was a great effort, I need the practice in directing models as well so I understand how hard it would have been.

[wendellt]

the pose in hte last is the best one
the lines in the image are great
would look better if you cropped it closer

[team piggy]

Nice shots, ive always toyed with the idea of getting a few people together for a shoot similar to this, but im unsure as to how the general public would react to two, or even one person wielding a sword in public, i dont really want my swords confiscated or anything...... How did you go with this? anyone get uncomfortable and call in the boys in blue?

In Adelaide you can call the Police up and they will pop you onto someone (cant think of the title at the moment Special events or something? ) I have done this when performing some night shooting up on the freeway, using suction side mounted cameras and also laying on the back of a ute up thru the tunnels doing some long SS shots.
They basically will organise the time with you, and then notify the comms centre and patrols in that area to let them know whats happening. In my case they also kindly provided a Police patrol to keep a lane free for us to use as well
Someone else I know did this when using prop pistols in a shoot as well.

(And then the CF card we were using failed gloriously and we lost the whole lot of the shoot !) AGHHH!

I must redo this shoot now it is warmer..

[dviv]

the pose in hte last is the best one
the lines in the image are great
would look better if you cropped it closer

Thanks Wendell! - Something like this?

[sirhc55]

I like these pics but how can you label such a sweetie as Dangerous

[dviv]

I like these pics but how can you label such a sweetie as Dangerous

Very true Chris....

Maybe it should be - "Girl wih Dangerous Sword"

[Matt. K]

First shot has some beautiful elements going for it and I think you should push that idea further. The other shots don't work for me because the lighting is atrocious...pick softer light, cloudy day etc...and the background is very distracting. Backgrounds should not compete with the main subject. I think it's a great subject and you haven't got the best pix out it yet.

[dviv]

First shot has some beautiful elements going for it and I think you should push that idea further. The other shots don't work for me because the lighting is atrocious...pick softer light, cloudy day etc...and the background is very distracting. Backgrounds should not compete with the main subject. I think it's a great subject and you haven't got the best pix out it yet.

Thanks Matt,

Valuable feedback - I appreciate it.

[stubbsy]

David I've come back to these a few times and have to say that I think the concept is fantastic, but the execution lets you down. The girl needs more intensity and as Matt has already said the backgrounds are a bit distracting. The strongest by far is #1 IMHO especially since your shallow DOF has softened the background, but therein lies another problem in that you've lost almost all trace of the sword and we see just the grip. Can I suggest you try taking TWO versions of that shot if you attempt it again with different f stop values so you can combine the good DOF to get the sword with the shallow DOF to throw the background into soft focus.

[dviv]

David I've come back to these a few times and have to say that I think the concept is fantastic, but the execution lets you down. The girl needs more intensity and as Matt has already said the backgrounds are a bit distracting. The strongest by far is #1 IMHO especially since your shallow DOF has softened the background, but therein lies another problem in that you've lost almost all trace of the sword and we see just the grip. Can I suggest you try taking TWO versions of that shot if you attempt it again with different f stop values so you can combine the good DOF to get the sword with the shallow DOF to throw the background into soft focus.

Thanks Peter,

I'll definately be trying again using the same concept. Probably with a different model. I have some great tips from the replies here which is great. I feel this was a good starting point for the theme but agree the execution needs some work.

I'm really undecided about what background would look best. I'm thinking of trying something really plain like a grey stone wall or green hedge? What do you think?

Thanks for the tip re the DOF - I'll remember to give that a try

[Yi-P]

Last one is my pick, but it would be better if it was done later in the afternoon with a help of the flash, harsher light with more falloff to one side.

Also liked the style of #1, but I'd suggest to take a very close up & personal with the edge of the blade and a slight out of focus 'deadly eye' in the background... It should be very interesting.

Good job by the way

[dviv]

Thanks Yip

Agreed re the light - definately need less of the "full sun"

[Darxtorm]

It's been said before, but I'll throw my two cents in.

#1 - Great pose, great shot, terrible expression. I would much prefer her with a wicked smile than a blank stare.

#2 & #3 - Pleasant but without much oomph to speak of.

#4 - Love it. Her expression works well here, the pose is interesting and the background leads the viewer's eye in to the subject without distracting.

Thanks for sharing

[dviv]

Thanks for your comments Darxtorm

[Killakoala]

Fantastic and refreshingly different too. The last one is great with a kind of Uma Thurmanesque quality to it. I would have preferred to see both her eyes fully on that one though, but otherwise it's great.