Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Took this last night at sunset. Wind was blowing and she had trouble keeping her hair out of face. Have several more girls with their horses but thought I would try this one first, see what people thought.

(Download)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Jim, that's pretty good. Nice balance of natural lighting, relaxed pose, good eye contact with the subject.
--Bob

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

Jim, I agree with Bob. Like to see more of your work. ;-)

rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida

I like the relaxed look...good job!!

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Thanks Bob. On this shot I can't remember if we had one or 2 speed lights in the foreground, just enough to lighten the front of her.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Thank you Photo8.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

The girls just wanted photos, not models and were relaxed the whole time.
Thanks for the comment.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I like it a lot.

Toby

very good

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

Very Nice, you did the gal justice.

Franku Loc: Wallingford, PA and Parrish, Fl

Very nice!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Jim-Pops since you've asked for a critique "...see what people thought..."

The good... Wonderful synergy with this talent... Stellar pose dynamic... Excellent camera angle for shooting millinery which oft shadows the critical eye area which you have thoughtfully provided fill flash (assuming balanced iTTL). Totally love the glowing illumination on the tresses across her décolletage which takes this vision to the next level... And superb Casting! This young lady's shy smile is indeed enchanting...

The not so good... The obvious intense vignette at the top of the image which appears to be the result of aggressive post processing and a hallmark of hobbyist... Your 70-200mm f/2.8 does not vignette at f/5.6
The want of illumination on the lower torso which has essentially masked all the wardrobe components i.e. rendered the bottom half of the image irrelevant... And more importantly obscured the horse seriously reducing the merit of this capture as equestrian in nature...

What could be done in future attempts? Have a wardrobe stylist select suitable ensembles germane to the genre and illumination scenario... i.e. a light color so as not to disappear in the shadows... Second there is far too much cornea present on one side of her eyes... That is a no-no and the solution is to direct the talent to point their nose in the direction of glaze... Balanced corneas are the hallmark of tenured portraiture artist...

Finally the most alarming issue here is the use of speedlights so close to a horse w/ rider... Having worked with many handlers and been cautioned repeatedly NEVER to use flash close to an unknown horse... Perhaps you are unaware that horses are more dangerous than motorcycles in as there riders do not wear protective gear... The ER rooms of hospitals sadly know this all too well.... Whenever I've had to shoot equestrian portraiture there are always handlers present... no exceptions!! Speaking of which do you have professional liability insurance? Again the difference between hobbyist and commercial shooters is the aforementioned... You will never be able to pull permits without same...

Bottom Line?
"Truthful words are not beautiful... Beautiful words are not truthful..."

I've endeavored to be truthful here Jim-Pops
Thank you for sharing...

BermBuster Loc: Hi Desert S.Cal

Thomas902. What would you suggest for changes in the 'ensembles'...to bring this to the next level?
I love this pic, and have a young lady that would like a similar one taken. But I definitely don't have the eye you do :) At first I didn't know she was on a horse, and was thinking of suggesting a crop to rid the hot spot on the blue jeans. But the face, the pose, the colors....even the fancy blue jeans and belt buckle ... Seem to go together just wonderfully. And the fill flash is done nicely also. (thanks for mentioning flash and horses...I might need that tip also).

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

Thomas902. Thank you for taking time to comment on the cowgirl shot. This shot was taken around 8:00 pm the sun was going down, tried to get the sunset in the background. This was at a large opening of a very large barn with overhead doors at both ends that let in a lot of light. I used a New Cheetah V860 speed light, that just came out, and set it on iTTL with modifier. It was at least 15 ft away from the horse for fill light. I hear your concerns about the lights around the horses. There was a handler at the front of the horse and never had an issue with the fill lights at this power. Because of how bright it was around us we were never sure if the lights were working they just had enough for a fill and being used at half power. Several times we had to look directly into the light to make sure they were going off. At no time during the shoot did any of the horses have the slightest scare around any of the 3 horses stabled in the barn or the 4 horses the girls owned. Having said all that your concerns are valid.

Your issue with the vignette is interesting. Other than this shoot can't remember the last time I added a vignette to my pictures. In this case I was having a fight drawing ones attention to girls face. I was done with processing and just kept looking at it and then finally decided to try the vignette and it worked, lighting her face and making it more pronounced. Obviously not for you but did for me, sorry to disagree with you on this. I was trying to get a good shot of the girl in this shot not worrying about the horse or her legs.

This was a freebee as all my shots are. I am retired and took up serious photography 3 years ago. I consider myself an amateur hobbyist trying to be the best I can and studying 5 days a week to become better. I just want my pictures to be quality pictures for me and my friends. I have no desire to get paid or become a professional. These are high school girl friends all boarding their horses at the same stable and wanted some pictures. All was for fun, having hair, makeup and wardrobe stylist would have made them better but at a cost none of us wanted to take on.

Thank you Thomas for your comments. Jim

BermBuster Loc: Hi Desert S.Cal

Jim, it kinda looks like one fill was high on right and low on left. Or maybe the right was the barn lights? I usually work with one off camera fill, but am experimenting, and going back to a flash bracket (for fill), then using the off camera as key or rim.
I struggle balancing ambient with flash, & I think you nailed it. I might add, I've have never had this good of results with TTL.
So many things going on in a shot like this - it's hard to get everything right. But it always helps to have someone like Thomas, to help us see it through a pros' eyes. There is no replacing his (and others) experience and knowledge. Which helps us learn and improve much more quickly.
I too, started late getting serious with photography. The more I learn ... the less I Know! When does it end???? :)