Pretty woman

[shafiq]

These images are part of an artistic collection I tried to put together as my first attempt at digital photography using some basic camera equipment. I am gearing up to using my 10D in the next 3-4 weeks.

My main focus was on composition. Please comment on choice of shots, style of photography, and of course any complements for the model would be welcome too.

Here is the link to the website: http://www.pbase.com/m_shafiq

Please remember I am an amateur trying very hard to develop my own style.

Regards

[jasonco]

Very nice chief. I especially like the black and white photos. Good work.

Cheers
Jason

[Fotographer]

I agree with Jason's comments. In addition the Black/White pictures which are great shots, I really like the Shower pose.

The model has a great figure and to top it all she has a pretty face.

Keep posting great shots.

fotographer
London, UK

[shafiq]

Thanks for the kind comments. Does anyone have any recommendations as to how I could have got even better shots? Should have I used different light?

Thanks

[Leighow]

Look, I was signing off, but felt obliged to comment.
You seem to be very talented. The lady is a beauty. BUT, in my humble opinion , I am stuck on the word artistic.
************************************************** ****************************************
You see -- and this may reflect an unconscious bias on my part -- most of your images are cluttered with "urban household reminders, such as bathtubs!".

Regardless of the image -- and each one is really quite beautiful -- these reminders reduces the purity, originality, and artistic impact . In fact they whisper two words. Blue Movie.

Some how you have to help your images to rise above this urban scene. In that regard, the yellow lighting may be a bit too strong. You can do it!

I suggest that you sift through a bunch of hi quality nude photograpohy books and see how others solve these problems.

HOWIE

[shafiq]

Leighow wrote:
Look, I was signing off, but felt obliged to comment.
You seem to be very talented. The lady is a beauty. BUT, in my humble opinion , I am stuck on the word artistic.
************************************************** ****************************************
You see -- and this may reflect an unconscious bias on my part -- most of your images are cluttered with "urban household reminders, such as bathtubs!".

Regardless of the image -- and each one is really quite beautiful -- these reminders reduces the purity, originality, and artistic impact . In fact they whisper two words. Blue Movie.

Some how you have to help your images to rise above this urban scene. In that regard, the yellow lighting may be a bit too strong. You can do it!

I suggest that you sift through a bunch of hi quality nude photograpohy books and see how others solve these problems.

HOWIE



Hmm interesting comment. Well let me first thank you for your constructive criticism.

You have put a completely different perspective on the pictures, one which I may have overlooked. Being an amateur, I am also limited with experimenting with limited settings/locations. However, I do value your point and will endeavor to better for the next set of images I take.

As for "Blue Movie" I guess I am a little lost, that was never the intent, but I guess I must have drifted in and out of the Gray Zone or should I say Blue Zone! Sometimes it is a pleasant strugle to figure out how to show the beauty of the model and yet not to reveal too much.

Excellent comments.

Thanks
Shafiq

[TSORoanoke]

I must agree with Howie. Shooting this model against nearly any "plain" background will truly bring out her beauty. Too much in the background takes away from her. Try a different, more basic background - like your first one with her against a white wall. I'm an amateur as well - you have the hard part solved, just work with the setting.

[shafiq]

TSORoanoke wrote:
I must agree with Howie. Shooting this model against nearly any "plain" background will truly bring out her beauty. Too much in the background takes away from her. Try a different, more basic background - like your first one with her against a white wall. I'm an amateur as well - you have the hard part solved, just work with the setting.

Good suggestion TSORoanoke. I tried to give the pictures a more natural look, but I also see your point of using a plain background.

Thank for the tip. I already have some ideas of how to do the next shoot.

Regards
Shafiq

[TrevBasset]

You have a great eye for this kind of portraiture.

The model is absolutely gorgeous. Would love to shoot her myself.

Trevor

[eland]

Shafiq

I think Howie has about said it.

To put it in general terms, when I teach photography
I tell the students to think of S L R.

I chose these letters because almost everyone knows them....... but here their meaning is different.

S = Subject Here a girl but it could be a cottage or a dog.
Place your subject carefully and be careful what you crop off. eg Why crop off the girl's feet in Reflecting ?

L. = Light Be aware of the light. Its direction, its color temperature
and its type eg diffused or harsh and direct.

R = Rubbish.
This means stuff in the picture that does not belong and that
does not enhance or improve your picture.
It could be a Cadillac or a Rolls Royce but if it is not a purposeful part of your composition
then in terms of your composition it is Rubbish.

Hence Howie's comments on banal household items like bath tubs, door frames etc come under "R" in your work.

In the first image "In Black" I would also place the lady's bra and G String in the "R" category.

Here they are serving no purpose what ever.
They are hiding nothing and are merely breaking up the shape of the figure.
In a figure study like this they are totally out of place and
make the girl look not nude or semi-nude but rather semi-naked. There is a big difference.

You are learning as you say, and with GREAT attention to detail and with
your excellent model I'm sure your work will go ahead in leaps and bounds.
To get ideas, study the work of successful nude photographers and also
look at the works of great painters and sculptors.

Learning from successful artists is a quick way to improve your work.
Copy their techniques to learn the basics.
When you have mastered these basics you can branch out and be original if you wish.
Remember though, the basic rules don't change.......
and think S L R

eland

[shafiq]

eland wrote:
Shafiq

I think Howie has about said it.

To put it in general terms, when I teach photography
I tell the students to think of S L R.

I chose these letters because almost everyone knows them....... but here their meaning is different.

S = Subject Here a girl but it could be a cottage or a dog.
Place your subject carefully and be careful what you crop off. eg Why crop off the girl's feet in Reflecting ?

L. = Light Be aware of the light. Its direction, its color temperature
and its type eg diffused or harsh and direct.

R = Rubbish.
This means stuff in the picture that does not belong and that
does not enhance or improve your picture.
It could be a Cadillac or a Rolls Royce but if it is not a purposeful part of your composition
then in terms of your composition it is Rubbish.


I like your description of the meaning of SLR :-) It is the first time I have come across this acronym but one I am sure to remember whenever I take pics from now onwards...


Hence Howie's comments on banal household items like bath tubs, door frames etc come under "R" in your work.


Must say I thought of removing/cropping them, but at the last minute I left them in thinking they would add more originality to the shots. Give them a more natural look and feel. I guess from what I am hearing that experiment may not have been as successful as I would have liked :-(


In the first image "In Black" I would also place the lady's bra and G String in the "R" category.

Here they are serving no purpose what ever.
They are hiding nothing and are merely breaking up the shape of the figure.
In a figure study like this they are totally out of place and
make the girl look not nude or semi-nude but rather semi-naked. There is a big difference.


Good comments. I see your perspective.


You are learning as you say, and with GREAT attention to detail and with
your excellent model I'm sure your work will go ahead in leaps and bounds.


I am glad you liked my choice of model. I guess I am wondering how much does the final composition get effected by choice of model? Would you have liked the images if the model was "an ordinary" looking woman?

I have learned a great deal from everyones comments and from this forum in general.


To get ideas, study the work of successful nude photographers and also
look at the works of great painters and sculptors.

Learning from successful artists is a quick way to improve your work.
Copy their techniques to learn the basics.
When you have mastered these basics you can branch out and be original if you wish.


Do you happen to have any links to websites of such successful artists/photographers?


Remember though, the basic rules don't change.......
and think S L R

eland


Excellent critique. Thanks eland.

[baba10]

Shafiq,

I like your work. I myself an into phtographing models and can see some real promise in your style.

I also agree with eland's comments above. You have to keep these 3 things in mind and you will do fine. Personally I think with practice you can become extremely good at this type of work.

Your images are very original. Each has a beauty of its own. The woman definately is very attractive and you have captured this beauty well in each picture. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the shower image. The light from the candles hits the gorgeous womans figure just right and shows off her very sexy body.

Look forward to seeing your next round of photographs.

[MickG]

Some great photo's of a very attractive model.

My only comment would be that maybe you can do a little more cropping of some of the photo's to kinda clean some of the clutter, otherwise with a model like the one in the photos showing off her best, hey I am not complaining :)

Keep them coming...