The Exotic Ruby - Warning almost bare bum ahead!

Got a thin skin? Then look elsewhere. Post a link to an image that you've made, and invite others to offer their critiques. Honesty is encouraged, but please be positive in your constructive criticism. Flaming and just plain nastiness will not be tolerated. Please note that this is not an area for you to showcase your images, nor is this a place for you to show-off where you have been. This is an area for you to post images so that you may share with us a technique that you have mastered, or are trying to master. Typically, no more than about four images should be posted in any one post or thread, and the maximum size of any side of any image should not exceed 950 px.

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please note that image critiquing is a matter of give and take: if you post images for critique, and you then expect to receive criticism, then it is also reasonable, fair and appropriate that, in return, you post your critique of the images of other members here as a matter of courtesy. So please do offer your critique of the images of others; your opinion is important, and will help everyone here enjoy their visit to far greater extent.

Also please note that, unless you state something to the contrary, other members might attempt to repost your image with their own post processing applied. We see this as an acceptable form of critique, but should you prefer that others not modify your work, this is perfectly ok, and you should state this, either within your post, or within your signature.

Images posted here should conform with the general forum guidelines. Image sizes should not exceed 950 pixels along the largest side (height or width) and typically no more than four images per post or thread.

Please also ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

The Exotic Ruby - Warning almost bare bum ahead!

Postby Cre8tivepixels on Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:35 pm

Thanks for looking..........any tips hints more than welcome etc......

Image

Image

Image

Image


Cheers
Dan
User avatar
Cre8tivepixels
Senior Member
 
Posts: 999
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:21 pm
Location: Malabar - Sydney

Postby Underload on Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:08 am

They're pretty different to anything I take photos of, that's for sure! :wink: I'm out of my depth here...I don't mind these, but I found the reflection in the last quite distracting - the softbox(?) onto the sunglasses looks a bit odd (IMO).
D200 + stuff
User avatar
Underload
Member
 
Posts: 197
Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2006 12:32 am
Location: Brisbane Northside

Postby Oz_Beachside on Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:14 am

#1 is my preference, by a long shot over the others in this set. Beautiful shot.

#2 is creative, I like this idea, and its a nice set that hallway.

#3, due to the tattoo, I would have either asked to remove either the tatt, or the g (maybe change with a hipster G)

I am liking the perspective you get closer to 17mm, making me think hard about getting somehting wider than my 28-70 (but longer than my 10.5FE).
User avatar
Oz_Beachside
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2227
Joined: Thu May 25, 2006 11:31 pm
Location: Black Rock, Victoria. D200

Postby Cre8tivepixels on Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:16 am

Underload wrote:They're pretty different to anything I take photos of, that's for sure! :wink: I'm out of my depth here...I don't mind these, but I found the reflection in the last quite distracting - the softbox(?) onto the sunglasses looks a bit odd (IMO).


The old "softbox in the glasses" again......have a look at MOST fashion magazine shoots, you can see the softbox in MOST images (pro shot or shity amateur ones like mine) its nothing new.......I could easily clone them out, but i like it!
User avatar
Cre8tivepixels
Senior Member
 
Posts: 999
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:21 pm
Location: Malabar - Sydney

Postby Nnnnsic on Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:44 am

1 is the preference, but I find the composition to be really lacking. Blowing those blacks again. It'd be nice if you'd learn some control.

2. Meh. I know what you're going for, but even the DOF is weak on the hand so it's not overly successful.

3. Wow... if that's not exactly the most flattering and ugh underwear I don't know what is. I'd be removing the tatt since it doesn't blend with the thong and I'm not sure about the white strap on the top. Really looks out of place. It's sad that you've screwed this one up with DOF, Dan. What the hell is happening with her hands?! They're removing themselves from the focal plane... and it really makes this look amateurish. And stop blowing those blacks.

4. I don't know about this one. Compositionally it's fine but it feels like its lacking something. Further, the "old softbox in the glasses" bit usually doesn't leave it so big from that I remember, nor do we see it so square. It's in an odd place because of the shape of the glasses and it's entirely square so it appears as just a white block on her head.

She's been pixelated! (I wonder if that hurts)...

Anyway, I'm kind of let down on the fourth by the lack of detail. I think you need to learn to exercise some control in post with the user of layers. Skin touching up can be done quickly (since I know you like to work quickly), but if you do the plastic work in a layer you can change the opacity and make a bit of skin detail come through...

And stop blowing those bloody blacks.
Producer & Editor @ GadgetGuy.com.au
Contributor for fine magazines such as PC Authority and Popular Science.
User avatar
Nnnnsic
I'm a jazz singer... so I know what I'm doing
 
Posts: 7770
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2004 12:29 am
Location: Cubicle No. 42... somewhere in Bondi, NSW

Postby Raskill on Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:45 am

Well, this is someting I would like to do, but would be killed, so I shall live vicariously through you.

I like the tattoo back and g-string image. Given the location, it's a more personal, almost candid/hidden type image, and the g-string across the tat suits it. IMHO only :D

Not bothered by the softbox, like you said, you could easily clone it out, but why bother if you want it there in the first place. Number 1 is my favourite image.

By the way, I nearly didn't look at this thread, I thought it was going to be a photo of a red rock.

Nice pics mate.
2x D700, 2x D2h, lenses, speedlights, studio, pelican cases, tripods, monopods, patridges, pear trees etc etc

http://www.awbphotos.com.au
User avatar
Raskill
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2161
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 12:26 pm
Location: Rockley, near Bathurst, Home of Aussie Motorsport!

Postby wendellt on Fri Jul 06, 2007 1:42 pm

i dont know why the softbox reflection in the glasses is an issue
sure for product still photography the reflection would look odd as your meant to be concentrating on the glasses

but in fashion the reflection of the light in the glasses is characteristic of the scene, although youll find a beauty dish is a more flattering shape than a square softbox

the best examples is when they use a huge broncolor parabolic reflector which makes a complex circular orthgonal reflection in any reflective surface and i think it looks mad

anyway dan i like the last since i'm a fashion fan
exposure and angle of light look interesting it's also technically better than the other ones, although i think theother version on your site has abetter pose sense of movement
Wendell Levi Teodoro
My Agents
Press - Getty Images
Creative Rep - T.I.D. FashionID, DBP Productions & The Nest Agency
My Book - Zeduce
User avatar
wendellt
Outstanding Member of the year (Don't try this at home.)
 
Posts: 4078
Joined: Sun Feb 20, 2005 10:04 am
Location: Dilettante Outside the City Walls, Sydney

Postby xorl on Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:43 pm

If you stick a scrim in front of the softbox you will soften the reflection which might be less objectionable.
Mark
User avatar
xorl
Member
 
Posts: 391
Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 11:07 am
Location: Sydney, NSW

Postby Critter on Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:07 pm

sorry I can't add anything analytical to the discussion of your shots, but mate, I love all your shots you have ever posted!!

I am a big fan of your work!!
Chris
D300 | D80 | 14-24 f/2.8 | 24-70 f/2.8 | 35 f/2 | 105VR f/2.8 | 18-200VR | SB600 | R1 | GP-1 |
User avatar
Critter
Member
 
Posts: 214
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:52 pm
Location: Bardon, Brisbane

Postby jethro on Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:07 pm

Im A bit of a fan Dan Pardon the pun! The skin tones you image are fantastic.
The colour sats are great as well. I see no problem. Expression of ones own work is their own asset.
Great work
Jethro
shoot it real.

look! and see. Shoot and feel
User avatar
jethro
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1006
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2004 10:03 pm
Location: down south, sydney

Postby Cre8tivepixels on Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:23 pm

Thanks guys appreciate your support.........

dan
User avatar
Cre8tivepixels
Senior Member
 
Posts: 999
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:21 pm
Location: Malabar - Sydney

Postby beetleboy on Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:53 am

Like your work Dan..and don't take too much of what Leigh says to heart, he's harsh cos he loves you and he wants you to learn =]

RE the softbox in the sunnies, a neat little trick to make yourself a super cheap beauty dish is to stick a big piece of black cardboard or material with a big circular hole in it to the front of your softbox and voila - UberBeautyDish™!
User avatar
beetleboy
Senior Member
 
Posts: 821
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:57 am
Location: Highbury, Adelaide

Postby Cre8tivepixels on Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:57 am

beetleboy wrote:Like your work Dan..and don't take too much of what Leigh says to heart, he's harsh cos he loves you and he wants you to learn =]



Lol......no unfortunately he 'really' doesn't like me.....but i take his advice on board even though it seems somewhat repetitive and targeted.....he didn't comment on one of my 'better' sets....so he only goes after my 'crappier' ones :(

Dan
User avatar
Cre8tivepixels
Senior Member
 
Posts: 999
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:21 pm
Location: Malabar - Sydney

Postby Critter on Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:06 pm

pfft, those shots are great, very pleasing to the eye...
Chris
D300 | D80 | 14-24 f/2.8 | 24-70 f/2.8 | 35 f/2 | 105VR f/2.8 | 18-200VR | SB600 | R1 | GP-1 |
User avatar
Critter
Member
 
Posts: 214
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:52 pm
Location: Bardon, Brisbane

Postby Willy wombat on Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:06 am

Hi Dan - some more lovely girls for the boys on the forum. You really do lead an interesting life as a Tog. 8)

Im interetsed to know what you do to get the skin tones looking that good - even though they do look brushed they look good. Is there some on-line tips you can point me in the direction of to start doing my own skin treatment in some of my own shots. Its not something I have ever tried.

Cheers - and looking forward to your next installment
Steve (Nikon D200/D700)
My photography website http://wwphoto.redbubble.com/
My photo blog http://www.redbubble.com/people/wwphoto
Please feel free to offer any constructive criticism on my works
User avatar
Willy wombat
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2284
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:47 pm
Location: Bentleigh, VIC Australia

Postby tasadam on Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:30 am

Tough job...

1 and 2 magazine quality to me, no worries.
Agree with tattoo comments in #3. And all the light seems to be coming off the tiles to the right of the model, a bit distracting.

#4 - pity about the floor creeping in on bottom right, lighting doesn't seem as creative as others.

#1 my favourite. Well done.

My 2 cents and I'm no expert.
Share what you know, learn what you don't.
Wilderness Photography of Tasmania http://www.tasmaniart.com.au
User avatar
tasadam
Senior Member
 
Posts: 631
Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2004 10:57 am
Location: Near Devonport, Tasmania

Postby Pehpsi on Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:33 am

Your shots always blow me away, because i don't think i could ever get close to replicating them..
Nikon D70
12-24 DX, 18-70 DX, 70-200 VR

20" iMac Intel C2D
Aperture 2.1
PS CS3

http://www.jamesrobertphotography.com
User avatar
Pehpsi
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1418
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:24 pm
Location: Kingsgrove, Sydney

Postby Cre8tivepixels on Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:02 pm

Pehpsi wrote:Your shots always blow me away, because i don't think i could ever get close to replicating them..


Dude ur shots 'blow me away' i couldnt take anything moving (like a car) like you do...you should be proud, awesome website too mate!!
User avatar
Cre8tivepixels
Senior Member
 
Posts: 999
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:21 pm
Location: Malabar - Sydney

Postby Finch on Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:01 pm

Hi Dan,

This is a great set of photos with no. 1 also being my favourite.

There has been some blunt criticism of your photos by others and I guess this is what critiquing is all about, but I have no problem with these. Even no. 2, which has a different approach to using DOF, is your interpretation of the scene and it works quite well.

I publish regularly in magazines, calendars, books etc (13 covers so far) and I can honestly say your work is of a very high standard.

I encourage you to continue experimenting and good luck.

Cheers
User avatar
Finch
Senior Member
 
Posts: 720
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:49 pm
Location: Keperra, Brisbane

Postby beetleboy on Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:23 pm

I agree Michael.

I think sometime's Dan can have the odd "miss" but generally he knocks 'em outta the park but cops some pretty harsh criticism. I like the way he's constantly looking for new angles and experimenting.
User avatar
beetleboy
Senior Member
 
Posts: 821
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:57 am
Location: Highbury, Adelaide

Postby Oz_Beachside on Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:52 pm

Dan, I show your work to lots of people, and EVERY ONE of them says, "I want to shoot with him".

Thats a solid indication you are kicking butt, however, I like the way others have a go at you, so you can get both positive and negative feedback, I'm sure you like that too.
User avatar
Oz_Beachside
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2227
Joined: Thu May 25, 2006 11:31 pm
Location: Black Rock, Victoria. D200

Postby Cre8tivepixels on Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:15 pm

Oz_Beachside wrote:i like the way others have a go at you, so you can get both positive and negative feedback, I'm sure you like that too.


hey yeah i agree with that, i wouldn't have a while ago.....but now i take it all with a grain of salt....there is only ONE person on this site who's critique i don't take any notice of.......Thankyou all who have had nice words to say about my work, keeps me going!! :D
User avatar
Cre8tivepixels
Senior Member
 
Posts: 999
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:21 pm
Location: Malabar - Sydney

Postby Oz_Beachside on Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:20 pm

I'd still listen to whomever that is... sometimes he/she might have valid points, but they might write it using strong voice...

anyway, a friend wants to fly to Sydney to shoot with you :D
User avatar
Oz_Beachside
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2227
Joined: Thu May 25, 2006 11:31 pm
Location: Black Rock, Victoria. D200

Postby methd on Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:34 pm

top stuff, as usual
User avatar
methd
Member
 
Posts: 483
Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:12 pm
Location: Melbourne, VIC.

Postby garyr on Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:29 pm

Dan, whilst I have no credentials to justify a critique, I really enjoy your work. What really strikes me about your captures though is how the models all seem so confident - you're extending them and trying something different - but yet they appear to be relishing it and putting themselves out there for you. I would love to hear about how you get that right, that has got to be an artform in itself.

Thanks for sharing.

Gary
garyr
Member
 
Posts: 136
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:41 am
Location: Northern Suburbs - Brisbane

Postby chrisk on Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:00 pm

Cre8tivepixels wrote:he didn't comment on one of my 'better' sets....so he only goes after my 'crappier' ones :(

Dan


this is far from a crappy set. like someone else mentioned. i love the creativity, different perspective and new angles you bring. thank you for sharing.

i still remember your lightning series i heard on 2UE from quite a while back. awesome stuff.
EM1 l 7.5 l 12-40 l 14 l 17 l 25 l 45 l 60 l 75 l AW1 l V3
User avatar
chrisk
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3317
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:50 pm
Location: Oyster Bay, Sydney

Postby casnell on Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:02 am

I just love #1, wish I could shoot like that!
D200
User avatar
casnell
Member
 
Posts: 218
Joined: Mon Sep 04, 2006 4:14 pm
Location: Heidelberg/Melbourne


Return to Image Reviews and Critiques