My wife (swimwear) Careful

[Travis F]

Carrying over from the post your best wife shots. I am having a hard time posting this, but she is OK with it. So let me have it... What can I yes I (not her) do better. We had a great time today making these pictures and this is one we agreed was safe to post.



http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/LX200/Various/IMG_6326Burnt.jpg

Thanks,
Travis

[basroil]

exposure is good, but you may want a different pose. the cattails in the front and background just aren't doing their part. either find thicker cattails (later in the year), or find a place with more density. i'de also suggest a bit of makeup to attract more attention to the eyes, since that should be your call as the photographer.

one lucky guy, beautiful wife for modeling, just make sure you take good enough pics she'll let you buy better equipment ;)

[Travis F]

Thanks basroil, I know now that the grass should have been "tamed" down. But that is where she felt comfortable.... what's a man to do?:)

All joking aside. We really appreciate your comment. It was spot on from what we expected.

Can we ask for a critique on this shot? It is cropped down a little to cut off her modesty.

We (and I especially) look forward to all your comments.

Thanks,
Travis & Kristy

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/LX200/Various/IMG_6399.jpg

[wardie]

I like the B&W shot with the exception of two small areas.

There seems to be something strange with your wife's right elbow area - a blurry spot.

The B&W conversion has highlighted some small veins on the visible part of your wife's upper right leg. Heal tool these out and I think the shot will be better for it.

Of all the shots I've seen of your wife the one that really stands out for me is the one where Kristy is smiling. It's not right for a pretty lady to be so serious all the time. Especially as she lights up when she smiles.

Wardie

[Darryl Baptista]

Travis,
Excellent model ( wife ), except for the grass. I see you have the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG how do you rate this lens ? Thanks Darryl

Canon 350 D, 50mm, 18-55mm, 55-200mm

[song4themoon]

Wow, one beautiful wife that you got there! I like the b&w pic. I dont mind the pose in the first at all, but the grass in front of her distracts from her

Oh in the b&w I would clone out that bit of tree or grass or whatever that is to her right (left of the pic)

[Travis F]

Travis,
Excellent model ( wife ), except for the grass. I see you have the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG how do you rate this lens ? Thanks Darryl

Canon 350 D, 50mm, 18-55mm, 55-200mm

I love the Sigma EX 24-70. It seems to be just as sharp as my 70-200L. The only negative it has is the noisey focus. Not terrible, just not the HSM (Sigma's USM).

Thanks,
Travis

[KansasMom]

I love both shots. On the first one, I wish that grass wasn't directly in front of her belly button - don't know why, but it's buggin me. On the second one, the veins in her leg are a bit distracting, but I love the pose and overall softness in the photo. She looks at ease.

Travis - she is BEAUTIFUL! Simply stunning.

[Travis F]

Thanks Trish. The comments are greatly appreciated. I have done a work on the second shot to remove some of the problem areas (to the best of my ability at least). I think it looks a little better. What do you think?


PS - When is UPS coming for you?

Travis

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/LX200/Various/IMG_6399Copy.jpg

[Travis F]

And one more. This with a beautiful smile.

She likes the grass. I on the hand tend to agree that it is a little distracting to be directly in front. But hey.... She likes 'em so I can't argue.:D

Thanks,
Travis

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/LX200/Various/IMG_6309.jpg

[creatinggrafix]

The last shot is very nice, I think that is my favorite.. I just recently talked my better half into posing for me, although she is uncomfortable, she says she wants to do it more so she can feel more comfortable down the road... So keep up the good work, you have a great model to work with..

[Jon Foster]

I like the last shot best.

Jon.

[xepherys]

#1 - Very nice shot, but I think a smiling shot would've suited the picture better overall. I don't find the grass to be an issue, since focus and DoF is spot on.

#2 - As noted, the veins could be healed out a bit, but I think the blurry spot is something behind her elbow. Small correction there could help. In this shot, I think her expression is perfect. No need to smile here... she's gorgeous!

#2 (edit) - still an issue with the veins in her leg. I mean, it's just veins, and they aren't BAD, but for "glamour shots" you try to remove stuff like that. Also, the left side of the picture might be a bit too dark now. Not enough contract where her head ends.

#3 - Holy canoli! What a great smile!

[wardie]

That's what I mean by LIGHTS UP!!!! Kristy you are beautiful.


As for the photo, I would prefer that the centre piece of grass was not there.

Wardie

[TRM]

yowza! always like the WW brand. nice!

[Ballen Photo]

And one more. This with a beautiful smile. Your Wife does indeed have a Beautiful smile as witnessed in this shot. I think the first two photos could have been greatly improved by using this same smile. ;)
-Bruce

[ootsk]

Great to have a model so close that's so pretty.
I'd fix the straps that are twisted...and the second shot...that little bit of white down low...the bathing suit....probably should be cropped out...it draws our eye there.
Other than that...especially the last shot...try off-camera flash, or no flash and just a reflector.

[Travis F]

I just recently talked my better half into posing for me, although she is uncomfortable, she says she wants to do it more so she can feel more comfortable down the road... So keep up the good work, you have a great model to work with..

Thanks for the great comment.

Don't think that it happened for me over night (getting her to pose). She still feels a little uncomfortable as well. She says she doesn't know how to pose, and I tell her I don't know how to direct her to pose.

Good luck with making her more comfortable. Just let her know how beautiful you think she is. Not only when you want to make her picture, but every single day. Women seem to love this.:D

I think that, besides some minor details that may have been overlooked and discussed here, I did a decent job this time. I say that because she was trying to convince me to post them last night. And I am glad she did. I think that all the comments so far have been VERY positive. Not only for me but for her as well. I think she will be more comfortable in front of the lens due to some of the feedback she has gotten.

Thanks again,
Travis

[Travis F]

yowza! always like the WW brand. nice!

Yeah, it was a surprise for her to say the least. It is going to be something that is worn around the house only. Thank goodness;) . Guess having two kids running around makes a little more uncomfortable for us. But, I only bought for her and I anyway (well besides you guys and gals):oops: !

I have to agree wicked weasel is great!

Thanks,
Travis

[Travis F]

Oh yeah....

I keep forgetting, should these have been posted in G&N section?

That's where I wanted to put them but I obviously don't have the necessary 500 post count to do that. And I don't know how much more of this type of "work":lol: I'll be doing in the future, so I didn't want to bother the moderators.

Thanks,
Travis

[Travis F]

To everyone else that I didn't respond to personally, thank you for the honest critiques. All in all, I think they were pretty minor flaws. Nothing that totally ruined the image anyway. If I get a chance to do a follow-up in the near future I'll post some more to see how I have progressed. I have about 500 more from this shoot but I don't have time right now to do any editing of the images. She has me remodelling the bathroom as we speak:rolleyes: . Gotta give to get I guess LOL.

Thanks again,
Travis

[Henry Low]

i like the cattail grass. It gives more information and meaning about where the model is. I think it adds to the mood. Sometimes to better portray a model, we need to better portray the surround he/she is in.

Henry

[Travis F]

OK last one from the series.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/LX200/Various/IMG_6367copy3.jpg

I tired to save this one best I could. I know some of you guys could do alot better with the PP, so have at it if you like (all past pics also if you like). The thing that I would most like to change is the grass in front of her right hand and just off her left hand. Way too distracting IMHO. I tried to clone them out but I couldn't find a place to sample from. Oh well, gotta learn somehow. But overall, I like the shot. It has a smile (which we all like) and a little attitude along with it.

Exposure is just OK, but hey I am still trying to learn.

I thank you all in advance. I want to make these better mostly for her. That way I get a chance to do it again:lol: :lol: :lol: .

[Ballen Photo]

OK last one from the series.
I like the shot. It has a smile (which we all like) and a little attitude along with it. She IS coming along quite nicely. She seems a bit more comfortable in front of the lens in this one, and YES, that smile. :D
-Bruce

[Travis F]

She IS coming along quite nicely. She seems a bit more comfortable in front of the lens in this one, and YES, that smile. :D
-Bruce

I have to agree. She is getting more comfortable.

But, what of my end of it? How could I have improved? I know that my SS should have been a little faster, aperature a little more stopped down. But I feel like there is something else I am missing besides those. Just that little thing that you don't see but everyone else does. Not just this image, but the first and third also.

If that sounded harsh, I didn't mean for it to. I (we) really appreciate all the positive comments we are getting.

Thanks,
Travis and Kristy

[LewisImaging]

i like the last one the best even though it's a little OOF. i also think that a wardrobe that's a little more elegant might look better (just not too keen on the lower part of it). just my $.02

[Ballen Photo]

I have to agree. She is getting more comfortable.

But, what of my end of it? How could I have improved? I know that my SS should have been a little faster, aperature a little more stopped down. But I feel like there is something else I am missing besides those. Just that little thing that you don't see but everyone else does.
Travis and KristyYou want REAL critique? :shock: OK, The exposure looks good for the most, however, in any type of portrature, you should always try to maintain sharp focus on the subjects eyes. Focus on the eyes, then recompose, if this works better for you. In this shot, a little reflected light to fill the shadows under Kristy's hair and in her eyes would help. You dont have to go spend a lot of money for this either. A lot of folks have used "foamacore" not sure of the spelling, but it's simply hard white styrofoam insulation that comes in sheets, and you can find at any Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. A piece roughly 2'x3' should do, OR, you can buy special photo reflectors at your local camera store (or online). You may even have something of this nature laying around the house. Since I assume you are not working with an assistant, you can prop this up at an angle to reflect the light into Her face.
You mentioned stopping down the aperture, IMHO, you would be better served by opening up the aperture in most cases, depending on what you're after, as the shallow DOF will allow you to isolate your subject from the surroundings more. Play with the apertures and form your own opinions. Have fun. :D
-Bruce

[Travis F]

Bruce,

Thanks! That is what I was looking for. I agree with everything. Hopefully I can get a chance to reshoot sometime this week.

Thanks again for the critique,
Travis

[redbutt]

My complaints on the last image posted are mostly the wardrobe. This is a great shot, but the clothes look a little sloppy. When you see shots like this in FHM, etc, the bikini bottoms are always totally smooth and fitted perfectly. In this shot, the wasitband and leg holes are folded over in areas. Also, she is wearing the smaller bikini bottom from the other photos under it...I'd probably have her only wear on or the other (same for the top). I would pull the top a little tighter in that knot and/or use a safety pin in the back to pull it tighter. Other than that...a reflector to open up the light to her face.

Slightly off topic:

Guess having two kids running around...

My wife would like to know how your wife has had two kids and still has a body like that. She's finding it difficult to get back to her old self after our first (7 months now.)

[KansasMom]

yes, others would like to know that, as well. :)

[LewisImaging]

caloric deficiency. that's the key to losing weight no matter which way you look at it. this can be done through exercise and/or diet (healthy of course).

[Travis F]

My wife would like to know how your wife has had two kids and still has a body like that. She's finding it difficult to get back to her old self after our first (7 months now.)

First of all congratulations on your first born. It is a great feeling isn't it!

I would like to know as well.:D I will only say that she has done a VERY nice job of recovering. Our youngest little girl is 4 years old so she has had a little while to recoupe (sp?).

I try to tell her all the time how great she looks, but I guess it is easier to hear it from somebody else.

OK, I just showed her this reply and she wants me to thank you immensely for that nice comment. It really made her happy to read that.

[Travis F]

yes, others would like to know that, as well. :)

Well judging by the pictures that you posted of yourself, I think you already know!:D . You're a nice looking girl yourself. Try to post more if you can:D .

Travis

[Palladium]

here a workup with the eyes, lips, teeth and face brightened up abit. Re: the grass blades covering the fingers - if you have other photos use those fingers and just clone them in and touch up the surrounding areas.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3169/img6367copy3copy0ui.jpg