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Something new for me - a few studio portraits. It's my second time in a studio (the first many years ago at a portrait workshop - thanks Gary!). Any suggestions - lighting/poses etc? Cheers.

I love the first - the structure and pose is great. My only niggle relates to the folds at the waist where it bends.

Regarding the second 2, on the one hand, I live the raw nature of it with the low contrast lighting, on the other hand, I want to see some more contrast, the hotspots fixed and the slight puffiness under the eyes improved.

With the second, I am also torn between the framing. Again, there is a candid nature to it, but then, she is kind of sitting in no-man's land - not in the middle, but not in the left hand 'third'.

I have a number of helpful suggestions but I would need to be there with you
at the shoot......

I am not at all qualified to comment on this type of photography...but I really like the 3rd the pose suggests a sense of insecurity? but anyhow it looks to tell as story....

I am not certain of the lighting in this series...I tend to relate more to low key, and dark moody images...that would be how I would shoot nudes personally.

But these are my thoughts...the thoughts of the uninitiated...

Mitchell, Good to see pic from you.

How far was the softbox from the subject? My first thought was, get it so close that you are almost photographing it....

Thanks all for the comments
Patrick - I agree about the bend lines, I'll try and soften as well as lighten under the eyes.
Everyone wants more contrast! I shot this with a big softbox with the centre piece of a beauty dish instead of the softbox fabric, and the light high and far away from the model. I was aiming for a lower contrast waxy dreamy effect, particularly to match the (attempted) graceful pose in the first.
Thanks again for the comments.
Mitchell

I like these shots a lot Mitchell. The first and the last are classic art-nude poses, with the subject disengaged from the camera. The second one is powerful though - a lot of soul in those eyes...

I feel that the lighting is a little flat in the first and you could have achieved much better shape and shadow if the light had been lower and more off to the left hand side. a lower light position would also have helped avoid the shadows from the hair on the all important chest area.

In the third one, the lighting is better positioned... or rather, the model is better positioned in relation to the lighting (which probably didn't move).

Good work for a first attempt...

Mitchell wrote:I was aiming for a lower contrast waxy dreamy effect, particularly to match the (attempted) graceful pose in the first.

That is what I was assuming you were aiming for, and, in so far as your objectives are concerned, I think the lighting is great. The images don't need additional contrast, and my original comments were about my struggle with my default need for more contrast with the images you produced. I think Leek's comments regarding the lighting in the first is spot on, although I think a reflector at low camera right could have filled in some of the shadows a bit.

Overall, I still think "well done". Great shots to be proud of.

I also like the images. The model is well posed. My only suggestion would be to warm up the skin tones as they currently are corpse like in colour.

Mitchell,

What was the lighting setup for these? I'm guessing one light with a reflector to one side.

I'd like to see the light brought around towards the front of the model a little, to just provide a little more fill/front lighting.

I really like no. 1, Mitchell, nice pose. The last one is also very good. I do find the lighting in no. 2 a bit hard though.

Well done!

Alex

OK here's my 20 cents worth. I'm also not really qualified to comment but hey, you put 'em up here!
For me number three is the best shot, it says something. The downcast eyes and hint at modesty, or mystery. The toned down colours also help set this mood. Would a hair light help to bring out a bit more contrast to the image.

Number two is interesting and for me a totally different sort of shot. The look is very stark and 'in your face'. Maybe harder edged lighting and a background that's much darker might make this more sort of shocking.

Number one would be helped I think if yo could see the face, even just a hint of it would add interest.

On reading the postings above, there's heaps of ideas to try, good luck.

Whoa! What a difference when I look with my home monitor! I think you have achieved your planned lighting well! I never realised that taking the lightsource away reduces contrast. [I always just tended to turn it down or allow the ambient to bleed through]

Mattk's advise is very good regarding warming the skin tones however this would change the mood of the images.

Did you direct the model yourself? Very nice poses. As suggested, the ring light look mayhave been interesting for the in ya face shot.

Thanks everyone for the comments- some good thoughts to consider in a reshoot - agree that the light slightly more frontal could improve things.

Gary- spot on with the lighting setup, one softbox/beauty dish high and photo left with a reflector photo right
Matt- agreed one the skin tones (I think I've used negative vibrance when I should have desaturated more...)

Cheers