Let me have more: Since everyone was so helpful, I am going to ask for any more advice you care to offer. These are a couple of shots that were planned, so I am very curious to find...

Al Vocinq Loc: The wilds of upstate New York

Since everyone was so helpful, I am going to ask for any more advice you care to offer. These are a couple of shots that were planned, so I am very curious to find out what I could do better. I did discover that trying get the right exposure for a dark, dark body and a light, light body while creating strong shadows is pretty tricky (for me anyway).

Any comments or advice on these shots would be extremely appreciated.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

Al Vocinq wrote:

Since everyone was so helpful, I am going to ask for any more advice you care to offer. These are a couple of shots that were planned, so I am very curious to find out what I could do better. I did discover that trying get the right exposure for a dark, dark body and a light, light body while creating strong shadows is pretty tricky (for me anyway).

Any comments or advice on these shots would be extremely appreciated.

I feel there’s more to love than just the head & shoulders. More body thanks, even some naughty bits, beautiful dark skin. Love includes bodies entwined. IMHO

Al Vocinq Loc: The wilds of upstate New York

Bunko.T wrote:

I feel there’s more to love than just the head & shoulders. More body thanks, even some naughty bits, beautiful dark skin. Love includes bodies entwined. IMHO

Thanks, Bunko, I appreciate the feedback. I gave a lot of thought about where to crop. I have others that show their entire bodies, but I went with emphasizing their faces on this one.

Toby

Al Vocinq wrote:

Since everyone was so helpful, I am going to ask for any more advice you care to offer. These are a couple of shots that were planned, so I am very curious to find out what I could do better. I did discover that trying get the right exposure for a dark, dark body and a light, light body while creating strong shadows is pretty tricky (for me anyway).

Any comments or advice on these shots would be extremely appreciated.

Good job on the exposures. I would suggest more space around the subjects, not necessarily more body just more space around the head and shoulders. I don't know what #2 is!

Al Vocinq Loc: The wilds of upstate New York

Toby wrote:

Good job on the exposures. I would suggest more space around the subjects, not necessarily more body just more space around the head and shoulders. I don't know what #2 is!

Thanks for the input, Toby. In the second one I decided to desaturate the white woman, just to see how it would look, and as kind of a pun. (Black and White in color and black and white.)

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Al Vocinq wrote:

Since everyone was so helpful, I am going to ask for any more advice you care to offer. These are a couple of shots that were planned, so I am very curious to find out what I could do better. I did discover that trying get the right exposure for a dark, dark body and a light, light body while creating strong shadows is pretty tricky (for me anyway).

Any comments or advice on these shots would be extremely appreciated.

peekaboo

I agree, more body

Al Vocinq Loc: The wilds of upstate New York

J-SPEIGHT wrote:

Thanks!

Al Vocinq Loc: The wilds of upstate New York

peekaboo wrote:

I agree, more body

Seems to be a consensus there--understandable

dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I like the pose on #1 a lot but think the light is too harsh (shadows too sharp) for such a sensuous image (use a bigger source and softer modifier). Also, the center of focus seems to be on the Black girl's near arm (instead of on her or their faces) which is rather odd. Lacking EXIF data, I'd guess is that you shot with a large aperture and controlled the exposure with the shutter speed? If you wanted to bring their faces into better focus, close down a stop. Or, if you intended the entire photo to be soft focus, ala David Hamilton, that forward arm should be too.
Have fun!

Al Vocinq Loc: The wilds of upstate New York

dat2ra wrote:

I like the pose on #1 a lot but think the light is... (show quote)

Thank you for the help. I went back and looked at the EXIF data--you are correct f1.8 aperture. I see what you mean about the harsh light, it doesn't work with this photo.
I am looking forward to my next shoot now that everybody has been so helpful.

pappleg

Try doing an HDR image. Using Manual meter the correct exposure, then shoot two stops more and then two stops less. Using either Photoshop/Lightroom or Aurora HDR combine all three image. This will allow an expanded contrast range.

Pat

Al Vocinq Loc: The wilds of upstate New York

pappleg wrote:

Try doing an HDR image. Using Manual meter the correct exposure, then shoot two stops more and then two stops less. Using either Photoshop/Lightroom or Aurora HDR combine all three image. This will allow an expanded contrast range.

Pat

Thanks, Pat,
That will be very helpful I am sure.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

The only issue I see in the first is the hot highlights on the black models face. Can something be applied to her skin to reduce those reflections? Or a more diffuse light source?

Stan

Al Vocinq Loc: The wilds of upstate New York

StanMac wrote:

The only issue I see in the first is the hot highlights on the black models face. Can something be applied to her skin to reduce those reflections? Or a more diffuse light source?

Stan

Thank you, Stan, I appreciate the feedback.