[quote=JD750]You're just starting? So either you had some guidance taking the photos you posted, or if you did that completely on you own, you definitely don't need any help!! LOL.

The best thing might be to look into some of the local photography clubs. There you will meet other photographers, and perhaps find a mentor. Also look for seminars, gallery on photography, go there you will meet other people interested in the art.

Matt Granger say's it's very important to set goals. So perhaps give some thought to that. Basically you're making your own lesson plan. ;) and of course classes could be part of that. Another thing that is very good is to start a project.[/quote

I have joined a photo meetup and that’s where this model came from. I’ve been reading quit a bit , especially on lighting. I do sit outside and play with settings and learning more on manual mode.

Yes, I am from Sac.

Thank you so very much. I’m really just starting out and have been thinking about classes. I’ve tried some years ago and didn’t have guidance so I stopped. I wish I could find someone to take me under their wing

Yes, Stilettos for next time!

Nice compliment, thank you

I like the added flowers and parasol. I may try this shot next time.

Trying to photograph from a womans perspective.

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No shame in age I like the pose

[quote=Rab-Eye]Are you saying these are self-portraits? Either way, I admire your vision.[/quote

Too be so young and lovely. I’ve had my time with youth I’m okay with myself taking these photos. I would think some, not all women would be insecure or jealous. It wouldn’t bother me if a significant other was with me. The body is to be admired.

[quote=Timmers]Because I am regarded as a pain in the ass on here, I will toss in some observations. The photographers intent for cropping is a certain point of order, so that first. Cropping at the top is the photographer's concern not mine. What is of importance is the view we are given is quite helpful in a didactic sense*. The photographer is exploring the idea of portraiture, not just women out of their clothing this is what is being stated multiple times.

Is the photographer, a woman aware of precisely what she is doing, this I do not know. Has she given a proper rendering of a modern portrait, mostly yes. In fact, women who use a camera to photograph women are mostly beyond the 'normal' women out of their clothes type of scenarios. Women are interested in the female nude as a totality. In this she was made a quite correct image. The first law in modern portraiture is to separate the face (and it follows the head) from the surroundings. If one looks to the chin of the sitter we can see that this has been perfectly executed. Next comes the 'attire' of the sitter, it is partly with out clothes, but it is not in the manner for which most men would render the sitter. Her lack of clothing is secondary to the image, it is more one of ultra modern young woman, y that I mean with or without body coverings is not a real issue for a certain brand of young women. The image has shifted to that of fashion, or more to the idea of dress up/pretty-pretty princess. It is a modern woman comfortable in her own skin like many of the youthful women of today.

This is a portrait and not just a nude woman or a shot at fashion, it is purely in the realm of modern portraiture. For this it is clearly a success. If it great studio photography? Not really, in a purely technical extent it fails 'great' studio lighting. Look at the catch lights in the eyes, they are not the work of a modern master of studio lighting. Is this bad, NOPE. It tells us that the photographer and sitter don't give a fig about the rules of catch lights in the eyes, in fact having two lights that are below or just label with the horizon of the eyes is of no concern, and that tlls us that the photographer is taking advantage of the haphazard approach by dismissing the traditional 'rules' of lighting and studio work to capture the inner depth of the subject. The braces add so much to enforce the legitimacy of the image. Having the sitter crouch down and raise that chin so that the optical center of the lens falls perfectly between lips and nose reveals that this woman sitter's nose is not fashion perfect but like the braces is real and now in her life. She vary real and is a stable human, comfortable in her own skin.

*Adding a technical note and a historic reference, prior to WW II and some what after (Karsh is a perfect example), portraiture was rendered in many of the 2D mediums like that of the classic standard called The Bust. This was the head resting on the neck and that resting on partial areas of shoulders. In the common parlance of todays youth this is what defines 'old school' portraiture.

After WW II, one sees the introduction of what is referred to as fashion styling of the person being photographed.

When doing the 'old school' approach of portraiture with a camera one places the optical center of the lens on the chin and often below the chin. Like a bust the head is combined with neck and perhaps shoulder areas.

In the MODRN portraiture approach that follows that of post WW II fashion images, the single lens has it's optical center raised and placed on the lips or just above the top lip. This has the effect of separating and so emphasizing the face as the primary focus of the portrait.

In the images we are being shown, this effect is masterfully executed. The face is separated from the rest of the person and so becomes the PESONA. This is the focal point of modern portraiture and fashion, they become one and the same, they speak to the notion of MODERN, and NOW. Face is everything.

To finish, many of the modern portraits and especially the fashion images look precisely like the one we see here. There is a lot of 'sky' in the old proof sheets'. This is because the optical center of the lens is in the middle of the frame and there is literally and mostly nothing above the subject.

Only with a view camera can this effect be altered, as the lens places it's optical center on the area of the nose and then the rear standard can be used to move the images view to see below. Interesting, this will exaggerate (optically distort) the lower are of the subject, so making men have greater girth in their shoulders and chest and of course with women it creates the illusion that the breasts are larger than they would appear. There is a lot of power in the use of a view camera to create great illusion in the making of images (Now you get why the Play Boy Playmate was always shot with the big cameras).[/quotes

Timers, this is very well written. Holy moly, you’ve captured my brain cells.

[quote=mjc925]Welcome Evie, glad you are joining the group and look forward to your images from the few I have seen. Critiquing images is never an easy path, mostly cause most people don't like negative critique. Personally, and I probably should not admit this, but what the hell, I critique along one of two paths. For some photographers who are just starting out or are not as experienced in this form of photography, I generally just give high level thoughts and comments, positive and negative, usually to encourage them cause this forum is enhanced greatly the more people participate. For a smaller group of experienced and proficient photographers who I know are very good at this type photography, sometimes the critiques are a bit more in depth, which makes them seem maybe pickier and harsher when the opposite is true. I personally put my skill range sorta in the middle of those groups. Oh there is a third group, but it has only one photographer at this time and I just sorta skip all critique...just because. From the couple shots you have posted, you are clearly good at this genre and I look forward to many images of yours. For this shot I like the layout and overall feel/mood. A very nice image. I don't mind the empty spaces at the top of either photos you have posted cause they are how you, the creator, want them displayed. Four VERY minor nitpicks, I would crop the image just a bit to make the model dead center and the distance from the end of the blade to the edge of the image the same as the distance of the end of the handle to the edge on the right side. Second, the lighting on her face is just a bit hot on the forehead. It works on the katana blade nicely, but not as much on her forehead. Third is completely a personal preference, but I never seem to be able to capture great images of kneeling models when their legs are not sort of turned out a bit. Makes it hard to figure out what to do with the visible foot and slightly exaggerates the size of the knee. And finally, and I have this issue constantly, just watching for wrinkles in the floor fabric, some you can't always help, some you can. And I love the models hair![/quote

This is exactly what I need and I thank you for the honesty. I want to be better at this

[quote=KindaSpikey]HI Evie, I have to say that I'm so impressed with your first two posts in this section, (especially after a break from photography, and shooting wildlife before that), that I have no words right now that would be helpful! Honestly the quality of your shots looks like you've been at this for quite some time, and in fact already surpasses some who
actually "have" been doing this for quite some time! You have a very good eye, and I'd say a natural talent. I can't wait to see what you produce as you gain experience and move forward. Stay safe, keep shooting and have a great day.
Ray.[/quotes

Oh, my. Thank you so much. I still would greatly appreciate any help as I go along

I'm looking for advice to push me forward in photography

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[quote=KindaSpikey]I agree with you Rab, it is refreshing to see a female photographer in this section, I wonder if the models respond differently to female vs male photographers? I've never shot nudes myself, (although my buddy who is a pro has), and I've often wondered if there is much of a difference in attitudes, and levels of comfort.
Ray.[/quote

I thought about this type of photography for awhile. As far as me I’m a confident woman who loves herself so I’m okay with nudity. I want to show the human body as something to be admired no matter what the age or size

Thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate the comments on helping me along this journey