Portrait shoot with first time model

[johnd]

I did a portrait workshop last weekend with a model on her first ever assignment. I liked the results. These are my favourites.






C&C more than welcome.

Cheers
John

[B01NG]

great shots, i would have to say i like the last one the most, really nice DOF. kudos to her aswell for first shoot, she seems pretty relaxed.

[Oz_Beachside]

very nice John. I love the softness off the face, was that with the beast, or cream machine?

Did you get some with different outfits, or perhaps some with, some without the brown cardigan?

The second, would loved to have seen the fingertips included (cut off limbs is very common in my shots if I am using prime lenses).

These look like a very nice collection, perhaps just add a little variety in the clothing (even simply by varying the same clothes, buttoned, unbuttoned, overshoulder, off shoulder, cover stomach, uncovered stomach).

Nice variety of backdrops, you have it covered well, plain, brick, timber, greenery. All spot on!

[johnd]

very nice John. I love the softness off the face, was that with the beast, or cream machine?

Did you get some with different outfits, or perhaps some with, some without the brown cardigan?

The second, would loved to have seen the fingertips included (cut off limbs is very common in my shots if I am using prime lenses).

These look like a very nice collection, perhaps just add a little variety in the clothing (even simply by varying the same clothes, buttoned, unbuttoned, overshoulder, off shoulder, cover stomach, uncovered stomach).

Nice variety of backdrops, you have it covered well, plain, brick, timber, greenery. All spot on!

Thanks for the comments Boing and Bruce.

Bruce, some sad news. These were taken with the 85/1.4. The 28-70 is dead (or at least very sick) with focussing problems. On her clothes, it was a first time for her and was organsied by someone else who unfortunately didn't suggest she bring different clothes. I would have liked to shoot her in something other than the brown cardigan. You make a good point though about varying the same clothes if that's all you have to work with. I'll remember that for next time. I'm annoyed with myself about the fingertips. I only shot a couple frames with that pose and none of them got the fingertips in. Dooh

Cheers
John

[Glen]

Nice work John, she seems very happy to be modelling for you, adds to the images

[Alex]

John,

I like what you did in No.2. No.1 has too small a DOF for me. No.3 I'm not keen on the pose and No. 4 the position of her face to camera is not that flattering. No. 2 is the best of the lot, IMO.

Cheers

Alex

[Oscar]

Lovely shots, John.

Your model looks happy and relaxed - especially so as this was her first try at modelling.

Nice and sharp with lovely DOF for each shot.

Well done. Gotta love that lens too.

Cheers, Mick

[methd]

2 and 4 for me. third one her pose (head sticking out) looks a bit unnatural for me.

[dviv]

Great shots!

I really like the first 2.

From a model point of view: I agree with methd about the third, and the fourth looks a tiny bit forced to me (she seems a bit tense, mainly around the mouth)

From a photo point of view: They are fantastic shots. I like your DOF in all the pictures (ie background OOF in the fourth but not the third)

David

[zafra52]

I like each one of them, but I like 4 the best. I like the complimentary colours you chose as background. I think number 2 could have been a bit more centered and the model showed the fingers, but sometimes images with some imperfections can even be more alluring. I only hope there were not 30 photographers all pushing to get a shot, for if that has been the case I think you have done even ea more remarkable job.

[johnd]

Thanks for all the comments. The first image was taken at f2, the others at f4. In the first I was trying for sharp eyes and mouth and soft dof on the rest of her face. When you're that close at that aperture, accurate focus is pretty important. One of my regrets was chopping off her fingers in #2. I was tempted to do some cloning from other shots but instead promised to myself to be more careful in the future. Corin was very nervous being a first timer and with 9 photographers waving cameras at her and giving her mutiple directions all at once. She handled herself quite well all things considered. My preference for next time would be less photographers at a time for a shorter period of time. So photog 1, you have 5 mins, go to it, the rest of you start planning your shots.

As I said, she was nervous and really didn't know where to look. My goal in the exercise was to get better at directing the model and to try a combination of images looking stratght at the camera as well as some looking away. There is no doubt in my mind that the ones with the direct eye contact show a connection between the model and the photographer and make for a more pleasant and stronger image. I also intentionally performed a lot of work on the images in photoshop to try to get the mannequin look. Again this was a learning exercise for me. I saw Corin last night to give her some prints. She'd changed her hair style and colouring and looked even more sensational. I didn't have my camera with me. Another lesson learned.

Once again, thanks for the feedback. I learned a lot and am looking forward to the next opportunity.

Cheers
John

[ozimax]

Love these shots, especially at F2. The eyes in this one really sparkle. The model lady reminds me of a young Julie Andrews (eg Sound of music etc).

Well done. Ozi.

[johnd]

Love these shots, especially at F2. The eyes in this one really sparkle. The model lady reminds me of a young Julie Andrews (eg Sound of music etc).

Well done. Ozi.

I can see the resemblance. Someone else said Shane Gould as well.
Cheers
John

[sirhc55]

The real beauty in these shots is the very fresh look of the model. Pretty and natural - not plastered in makeup and boob thrusting - very, very nice shots

[Bugeyes]

Can’t see much wrong with these, didn't even notice the finger tip thing, well done... Shot 2 might be worth doing a B&W conversion.

[MATT]

I really prefer no.2 . No 1 she looks to plasticy, may be just the f2.

Lighting seem good in all.

She also seems very relaxed in no.4

Good job
Cheers
MATT

[rooboy]

The real beauty in these shots is the very fresh look of the model. Pretty and natural - not plastered in makeup and boob thrusting - very, very nice shots

Couldn't agree more .

#2 is the winner John. The finger tips don't detract from a friendly, natural image.

[Andyt]

Very nice images John!!!

What! The 28-70 is dead (or at least very sick) with focussing problems

Would be interested to hear what the problem is...............

Andy

[johnd]

Thanks again for the feedback.

Chris, she certainly came across as pretty and natural. She really did an excellent job. Being her first time modelling with no training, she was naturally nervous. But she tried hard and kept it together. I printed about 15 of my better shots of her for her and she absolutely loved the results.

Bugeyes, I did think of B/W for this image, but I have never managed to do a half decent B/W in my life. I just don't know where to start to make a B/W conversion look any good.

Andy, yes sad but true. Now it just makes a little whirring sound when you try to (auto) focus. It needs a trip back to Hong Kong. Actually the shots of Corin with the wall and wooden door as backgrounds were 2 of the last shots the 28-70 did.

Cheers
John

[Matt. K]

Excellent portraits and a great model. The only negative comment I could make is the the skin tones on a couple of the shops are a bit overly warm.

[wendellt]

the third one really shows her personality in a subtle natural way
it's great to see you choose your backgrounds thoughfully they dont detract from the model and see, complimentary to what shes wearing

however i think that green print on the shirt detracts from her face
so next time attention to styling is quite important it can really change the whole mood of a shoot

great first effort