SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

Very nice Thomas. I love the eyes. Weren't rules made to be broken?

mdpathjp

Good shot

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks for the explanation Thomas, I guessed there would be a simple reason for use of the term - and maybe I’ll eventually get used to it. I’ll certainly keep an eye on your posts, they are inspirational.
Dave.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

This says it for me as well. Stunning

huntmj

Wow!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thanks so much for your kind words SpyderJan... Danielle's eye decor is a variant of a smokey eye...
As for "Rules" Rembrandt lighting is traditionally used on males... and typically combined with chiaroscuro to increase drama... However for Danielle I toned it down with a large white foam core flat (40x70 inch) just outside of frame (camera left) to fill shadow areas... without this the rendering would have been more like a fierce editorial rather than a beauty and hair narrative... While this might have worked it would not have showcased Danielle's makeup or hair styling... being a "Creative Test" I was obligated to illustrate the efforts of other team members on the session...

For comparison below is a commercial portrait (quarter length) for a male client (martial artist) with a tad more drama... Classic Rembrandt lighting...
Hope this makes sense....
.

(Download)

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

thanks for the compliments mdpathjp... greatly appreciated...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Many thanks for your support raymondh...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you for your kind words Dave... glad you liked this image of Danielle...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

thanks so much fergmark... greatly appreciate your wonderful thoughts here...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

thank you for your support huntmj and epic reflections on Danielle's image... greatly appreciated...

robertperry Loc: Sacramento, Ca.

Rembrandt lighting works well in this photo. Hands are the most difficult part to photograph. You have done a masterful job in this pose. Great communication skills between you and the model. Her expression, confidence and trust in you really shows. Well done.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you for your very kind words robertperry... they are truly appreciated...
Danielle was a joy to collaborate with and likely the lion's share of her confidence came from her prep with a gifted hair stylist and makeup artist... The transformation they create is absolutely amazing and a talent carries this affirmation onto the set...

Yes the hands are a unique challenge since they oft add significant merit and meaning to pose dynamics... of note ballerinas are trained to point their index fingers skyward toward the heavens to convey an ethereal aura to their stage presence... keeping in mind that the hand is far more visible on stage then a dancer's facial expressions...

Having worked with so many ballerinas I've grown immensely from these collaborations... to the point where I'm able to illustrate to a model precisely how to hold their hands... additionally there is a floor to ceiling four foot wide mirror directly behind my camera position which with the aid of modeling lights in a totally dark studio allow for the talent to see exactly what she/he is creating with their pose dynamics...

Again many thanks for your thoughtful reflections robertperry...

alissaspieces Loc: New York

Wow! I haven't visited here in a while and this was the first one I clicked. Really excellent. You are a master of light!