Given up (nudity)

[Matt K.]

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8321/29712333482_c38fddab63_b.jpg

[Marko]

I like the comp and the light here.

[Runmonty]

Love it Matt.

So glad to see you doing this type of photography with a model. I have thought about it myself but I feel a little insecure about my portrait photography and my ability to confidently direct a model.

[Matt K.]

Love it Matt.

So glad to see you doing this type of photography with a model. I have thought about it myself but I feel a little insecure about my portrait photography and my ability to confidently direct a model.

First of all thanks, Runmonty, for your kind words. But now for the ugly truth: This is the second time I have worked with a model, and let me tell you: the directing with confidence part is greatly lacking. Sooooo much to learn, so much to observe. If i was totally confident in my abilities as a photographer, how to use light and such, then I could concentrate on the directing part much more easily. However, I find that even once I set up the shot, have the flash figured, the power levels figured (trial and bloody error!), then have the aperture, shutter speed and such down, and then the focus is acceptable ... well, by that time the model has sat on her butt for a while and is rather bored and annoyed with me. The good thing is that Jenni, this model, is a true sport. She understands this is my early getting my feet wet kinda thing, and she has not an abundance of experience, either. She has done many shoots, but most likely with more experienced photographers.

I am trying to gain more experience in this department, but think i will have to do some head shots first, under more controlled environs. then once I am comfy with my flashes, I can think of directing more.

Made notes for the shoot, but would you think I remembered to get them out and fresh my mind? No sir! One of these days I will get it right .. lol .

Had one shoot where i wanted to show motion and then stop motion with second curtain flash. All was set up prior to the shoot. Would you think the damn flashes would go into second curtain? No sir! Found out later that the trigger i was using allows for second curtain triggering up to a shutter speed of 1/2 second. Anything longer will not work with that trigger. So how was I supposed to know that? Experiment experiment experiment.

I`ll post some more one of these days. Just for your entertainment. come to think of it, will post one NOW.

[Runmonty]

That makes me feel a whole lot better, but even less likely to do it in the immediate future :). Well done pushing through the obstacles though. Yes, an understanding model would be important.

I am sure each time it will get easier - keep going my friend - I look forward to seeing the results

[Iguanasan]

The light and the composition are very nice. Well done. As you point out, you don't have a lot of posing experience (and neither do I) but that's the only thing in this image that I think could use some improvement. For me... and I mean for me, your taste may be different, I look at this photo and it feels posed. I want an image that feels natural like you captured the scene without posing. I have yet to figure out how to do that in any way other than capturing candid image or by working with models who have tons of experience looking comfortable.

Overall, job well done. Keep working at it, I look forward to seeing some future efforts.

[Matt K.]

The light and the composition are very nice. Well done. As you point out, you don't have a lot of posing experience (and neither do I) but that's the only thing in this image that I think could use some improvement. For me... and I mean for me, your taste may be different, I look at this photo and it feels posed. I want an image that feels natural like you captured the scene without posing. I have yet to figure out how to do that in any way other than capturing candid image or by working with models who have tons of experience looking comfortable.

Overall, job well done. Keep working at it, I look forward to seeing some future efforts.

Thanks Iggy. Yes, it is posed, no question. The way she is holding the bottle is not really expressing the scene the way I envisioned it. To top it off, she had to sit on a towel (folded up several times) since the countertop was not really in any shape to put your naked butt on. So I had to photoshop that towel out, which makes the image look a bit weird as well. But I am learning, and given the opportunity, I will build on this stuff.