tisrjtisrj1 Loc: Kissimmee, FL & Alexandria, VA

A studio setting with a talented and beautiful lady.

Critique welcomed. Example, where should the greater space be, before the body or where she is looking?

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MontanaTrace

I'd move the space more equally. I know, rule of thirds but it's all subjective. The hair and head seem crowded.

tisrjtisrj1 Loc: Kissimmee, FL & Alexandria, VA

Thanks Montana. I agree with your comments.

And you chose a beautiful state in which to settle. Love the little town of White Fish.

RJ

MontanaTrace

I moved to Whitefish after a search of seven states, thirteen ski areas (skier). Love it. Cool summer this year, as much of the country is seeing record heat. Today's temp will not reach 70f but next week, we make break into the low 80's.

Back on task. Your lighting and choice of backdrops is perfect. The skin tones and hair color stand out. Three angles of light? Model is beautiful.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

A nicely lit shot, but I don't like the hands cut at the wrists. Your focus is spot on!

tisrjtisrj1 Loc: Kissimmee, FL & Alexandria, VA

Montana,

I remember being in White Fish during Cowboy Poetry reading and other activities. That was interesting and most enjoyable. Don't remember the other activities. The next time there was a food tasting and other activities in a park near the train station. I have slept in Columbia Falls. Attached is a photo which you will recognize the area.

RJ

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tisrjtisrj1 Loc: Kissimmee, FL & Alexandria, VA

Correct, cutting is a difficult decision. But I do like the long beautiful arms and the matching slender body, so included as much of both as possible.

MontanaTrace

Your Whitefish photo was probably taken the weekend closest to July Fourth. Whitefish Christian School Art Festival or Art in the Park in August. The pond was filled in this year. Too many liabilities. Too many bad things happening in it and it was hard to keep clean. Most people thought the trout looked like dolphin.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Lovely shot but would have it not cropped to hide legs and hands. Lovely model my friend

trc Loc: Logan, OH

RJ,

To answer your question, I would definitely have more space on camera right just as if she was standing up actually looking that way (toward camera right) with a thought provoking stare, if you understand what I am trying to say - sorry; unfortunately, the word for that type of stare has escaped me at the moment. I love her long flowing hair, and her slim body lines go well with the upright pose/composition. The background color allows for more contrast drawing more attention directed to her body! Lastly, I love the bit of light on her hair which helps really make her hair stand out - excellent! I would clone out the little bit of hair to camera left of her front most arm - just distracting to me and adds nothing to the image.

As for cutting off her hands, I'd like to see what it looked like with them in the shot as long as they are pointing downward in line with her arms keeping the slim perspective of her body. Cutting off appendages is usually considered a forbidden occurrence for people shots, and especially this one with the main lines going vertically with her very attractive slim body and positioning. As for the rest of her legs, the verdict is out - not sure how it would look with them in. That is something I'd decide on the spot when cropping the photo assuming you did get them in the original shot.

I like this one since it is actually approaching an artful pose and what appears to be a well thought out shoot. Nice job, RJ.

Best Regards,
Tom

By the way, I also liked the image you shot with the model lying on the poolside with her derriere down between the upper portion of the sides of the pool with her back lying flat on the poolside to camera left. I'm not sure if it was too busy in the background, or not, or, if your DOF should have been less to keep the background less focused drawing more attention to the model?

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

This is my thinking too! But, I would have a little more space at the top and bottom; also, by showing all of the model that way, she would be on a diagonal which can be pleasing in a composition.

tisrjtisrj1 Loc: Kissimmee, FL & Alexandria, VA

Tom,

Thanks for taking time to give thoughtful and helpful comments.

I shot this model on two different occasions. One outside and one in a studio so have quite a few photos with different poses and croppings. Do have many shots with all body parts in tact. It this pose, wanted to be closer to emphasize the upper body and hair. Arms are cropped near the hands but want to do that as the arms are long and beautiful to compliment the body.

I didn't notice the small amount of hair on the inside of the arm. If I had, I would have removed as you suggested. It just didn't get my attention.

With the other shot beside the pool, the setting was f7.1. The lens should have been more open for a blurrier background. Why let anything distract from this lady.

Again I thank you.

RJ

tisrjtisrj1 Loc: Kissimmee, FL & Alexandria, VA

Thanks Flyguy,

See my response to Tom. Think you have similar thoughts.

chazz4623 Loc: Prairieville, La

A lot to like in this photo. I was taken by the hair. Her long highlighted hair is beautiful and flowing. The fuzz on her body and arms adds a realistic touch, and the pubic stubble adds humanity, making her real (and beautiful). The lighting is quite good, always depending on what the photog wants to portray. Shot well done IMHO.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

RJ,

The adjective I was looking for when I was saying, 'as if she was standing up actually looking that way (toward camera right) with a thought provoking stare' was a pensive look or stare. For some reason that word would just not come to me when I was responding the time before. Oh well, better late than never!

Best Regards,
Tom