D, it’s only fair I tell you how much you improved on this shoot (especially after I gave you a hard time on the fabric background photoshoot).
So here’s my 2 cents again, solely on the photoshoot, not the collection since it belongs to someone else.
STYLING- You have a great eye for color- this time it all works, you kept it all in the same color palette, no strange outbursts of unrelated hues. I particularly like to way you repeated the red of the stockings to the screen, and the furniture. Also, surprisingly enough, the print on her blouse, complements and doesn’t clash with the print of the screen (sets 7, 9 and 16). You took a risk and it worked very well. Good coordination of the outfits except for the bra shots- I know the collection is supposed to be called “Nude” so you wanted to comply with the design direction, but I find it strange that this entire line is a covered up winter group with no suggestion of skin or nude(ty) in any way, shape or form, even the “flesh color is very minimal- one pair of pants in beige. The bra shots just make me think, “they ran out of tops”- sorry, no other shot to relate to- “orphan” shot. (it’s actually refreshing that we’re not seeing too much skin) Then, is the bra part of the collection, would I be able to buy it? It would be so irrational if the entire group would be sportswear/ outerwear and one lonely intimate apparel piece, which makes me think that it is a styling add on. Also, it’s well worn, and the band wrinkles in the back (maybe we’ve been too spoiled by Victoria’s Secret and expect to see perfectly fitting bras- even if they overbrush them out of reality.
The cardboard button, added dimension in most poses, the button on her head, not sure I get it- could be playful, but this is not a playful shoot, would have worked in another story better (more fun, more color, more lively, more relaxed expressions)
LIGHTING- MUCH IMPROVED (still a wee to go to master it completely, but definitely A WHOLE LOT OF IMPROVEMENT, especially with no formal training, how do you do it?! Professional Studio Lights help a little, huh? Lol See what happens when you make friends with a photographer and his equipment?) Like Carola said, the lighting actually has a mood, not an easy thing to suggest. Did you shoot with a filter, her skin looks softened up.
The Model- (Roro, hello by the way, it would be weird to talk about you without saying “hi” first)- The girl can pose (sets, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11- only the second pic, probably one of my favorites, if not even my fav #1- her expression works in it too, 18- the last one has potential, would look different with a less bulky top/ jacket, stay away from bulk on the top, especially around her neck). She’s very aware of her body and her angles, and gave very gracious, but strong poses. Exception is set 12- 1st pic from the left- the neck looks too short and strong from this angle, it’s also very tense, as it is in most pictures (e.g. sets 5, 6, 10, 12, 17), a relaxed pose that elongates it would minimize it and balance the rest of the picture. Expression- in some she brings it, in most, her mouth is so tight it turns downward, watch it, coupled with the right “lazy” eye, you get “pissed off”, not edgy (set 13, second pic). I still want to want to wear the clothes; don’t scare the customer! Body poses get higher marks than the expressions. It may sound like a contradiction, but I actually think she would look quite intense if she relaxed her face and let her “pout” be more innocent that “fierce” wannabe- coupled with a wide- eyed deep stare into the camera, it would make for an interesting and seductive look.
COMPOSITION- EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, you really have an eye and innate instinct about , also great pairing of the pictures into sets- (love the negative space in the first pic from set 8) Watch your cropping- you got it perfectly in most but Set 3 first pic- where’s her foot?!
EDITING Limit the number of closed- eyed shots (set 7 second pic, set 15 first pic and set 18 first pic)
For a “roll of film”, you got a considerable amount of good shots, which is a great starting point. For a spread or portfolio review, you know you would keep only a few. I would edit out about half, (even Alex’s Fashion Crime Online Pictorial Spread had only 13 shots and that’s longer than what print magazines give to photographers). So, let the butchering begin (and I mean that in the best possible way in the interest of editing to a reasonable amount of frames, were this pictorial to be published, cross my fingers):
I would take out set 1, second shot- unfocused pose and expression; set 3, first shot- not only for the cropping, but for her head being way too tilted downwards; set 4, the first one, the pose is great, she’s working the props, but her head is just lazily leaned on her hand, getting chubby cheeks; set 5 second shot, for too many reasons to list- bra, neck, expression, etc; set 10, second shot- good, relaxed pose, especially the hands, the lazy eye and tilt of the head gets to me; set 12, first shot- either that or make use of the Liquefy tool in Photoshop to slender the neck, and her shoulder frame; set 13 second shot, good pose, scary expression; set 14 second pic- uncommitted shot and eye direction, set 15, especially the second pic, Set 17- good composition and poses, but the head position is strange.
I would definitely, definitely keep: Set 1, first pic- one of my favorites, great pose, relaxed demeanor, very professional looking; set 2- both- even if I don’t get the missing top, and her expression is ok, keep them for the sheer grace- she almost looks like a ballerina; set 3 second shot due to the pose, although, if I had to choose between set 1 pic 1 and this one, I’d go with 1/1; Keep set 6 second pic, like the pose, the body language, the face (where did that shadow sneak in from?! Argh); set 10, first pic- good face; set 12, the second one, I still think it’s the strongest on of the entire shoot- “the Money Shot”, set 18, the second one.
Alrighty, that’s all I had to say, it’s amazing how fast you’re progressing, especially for being self taught, it’s such a joy to see you grow- on a literal daily basis. I can only imagine the success you’ll have in a year, five, ten, and the entire career ahead of you. Your passion and talent are obvious, you can see them radiating out of you, almost like an aura!
Keep at it, I think I speak for all of your readers when I say can’t wait to see more. :)
Elizabeth
