Caroline

A shot from a photoshoot tonight at ADAPS. May I introduce you to Caroline:
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/020-Caroline-800px.jpg[/IMG]
Pentax K20D with SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm WR lens. Any comments are most welcome.

I think it lacks focus. Her expression doesn't draw any attention in this shot nor do her eyes which makes her seem a bit distant.

Don't like that she is hunched over either as it is not the best pose, looks uncomfortable. Had she had her head up and been sitting up straight then it would tell a different story.

Shot is technically good; lighting, exposure, etc. Sadly the pose let's it down.

I generally like your your photos a lot JR, but this one, not so much... the lighting is fine, but the background is a little distracting.... I think the lighting, and the pose would work in a different setting with a better backdrop...
kneeling on a beach with a palm tree in the back, with some kind of hint as to what she's looking at could make for a compelling shot, but all that color on charcoal with creases and warps in the paper showing... she's lost.

I'm no expert in studio work of this kind, but I do have some general observations.

I agree entirely with Tyr's comments about pose etc. but there are two other points that I find a bit distracting.

1: The backdrop is creased, and it shows. It's relatively easy to fix this in PP, but it might not be so pronounced if the model were positioned further from the backdrop causing it to be more out of focus.

2: There is a black line at right angles to the thumb of her right hand. This is probably the stitching of the hem of her skirt as I can see that it continues further to the left of her left hand. I think these lines should be cloned out.

Crop everything out just below the breasts to get rid of that awful tacky transport cafe table cloth skirt. Much better.

Caroline is rather nice

Thanks for the comments, I agree with what you say. This was one of those odd sessions where it wasn't quite getting to where I wanted it to be, although I'm glad you've picked up a bit of it. I wanted her to be distracted and detached and isolated in her own thoughts. So at least "a bit distant" partially came across!

The next shoot will be in an industrial area, so there should be plenty to inspire there.

It does look a bit awkward. However, it's a big thumbs up for the kit lens.

I too find the colours in the skirt don't work for photographic purposes probably looked lovely on the day/ night.

I think that smeggy pants has hit the nail on the head regarding the crop though

you did accomplish that goal... as I said she seems a bit lost...

Get her to wear some quality blue jeans, boots and a leather belt with that black top and ditch that awful table cloth

Much classier and much more in keeping with the industrial aspect