Cowgirl!

[dawnrogers]

My daughter was modeling for my son who is doing GCSE photography and needed "fashion" shots for his course work...he has to use an old minolta with black and white film...so I couldn't resist going along and taking my camera too....
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/dawnrogers/Jessica/Jessfashionshoot.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/dawnrogers/Jessica/jessfashionshoot2.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b140/dawnrogers/Jessica/Jessfasionshoot3.jpg

[dawnrogers]

Where is everybody??

[Art Rodriguez]

Where is everybody??

I think they are out Xmas shopping:) Of the three, I like the first one the best, although the strap from her hat is a little distracting. Also, I don't think the glasses works on this one. They do work for me in the last two. I especially like the background on the first one. I would crop out the dead space on the top on the third one. But this is just my opinion. You have a beautiful model to work with.

Art

[D. Craig Flory]

My suggestion is for him to look for locations with not only the best background but also the best light. These were created with very harsh light. If he is in a class, then he can learn by walking around his sister till the light is not so harsh or moving to a different location.

[Curtis N]

I've seen a lot worse as far as harsh light. These are pretty good for direct sun. Did you use a reflector to help fill the shadows?

[dawnrogers]

Thanks guys.....the light here at this time of year is quite strong as its so low (when its not raining that is LOL)
I didn't use a reflector but its the next thing on my list.....considering the light we had and the fact that portrait photography isn't my strongest suit I was quite pleased with them...I'm really getting into it now though and I'm going to look for some books on portrait photography.....see if I can get some help on how to use the light ......

D Craig Flory.....my son's pictures aren't posted these were mine...he has to use a film camera an old Minolta and black and white film so until they get developed at school next week he won't know how his came out....I was taking shots around him really just for fun....but I do need to learn A LOT about portrait photography.....

[gkuenning]

Very flat and washed-out light. She's such a lovely girl, I'd like to see some more contour.

What's GCSE?

[dawnrogers]

May be you could explain to me how to do that ????

I'm a beginner at portrait photography....so any tips would be very welcome. Critisisim is good but only if you then explain how to do something better! I can't learn with out a bit of help....

GCSE is like a highschool exam.....he will be 16 when he takes his exams in the summer...he has to use film as I already explained...after GCSE...they can go onto sixth form and do A levels...which is a 2 year couse then on to University...thats how the education system works here...

[gkuenning]

May be you could explain to me how to do that ????

I'm a beginner too. Sadly, it's easier to spot the flaws than to know how to cure them. (I'm a truly awful violinist, but I can tell every time Itzhak Perlman hits a wrong note.)

For the flat lighting, I'd suggest trying to position them so that the light is at a side angle, rather than dead on. In sunlight that will produce harsh shadows, so a fill flash will probably be necessary to even things out.

[steveathome]

Get a reflector to fill the shadow area's, this will give good medelling too, then you can reduce your exposure to suit (use the histograms)

[dawnrogers]

Hi Steve....will a white reflector be ok? This portrait stuff is new to me....but I'm really hooked and want to learn....how to get the light right.

[D. Craig Flory]

Very quickly ... since I have to leave for church in a few minutes. You can make a few types of reflectors and should have more than one. A white one is good when you don't need a lot of fill .. can be made from white cardboard or white foam-core. A silver one ... look for new house construction and ask one of the workers if there is a smaller piece of house insulation you can have. ( the of rigid material with silver on one side. Do worry about any wording on it ... that wouldn't matter). And for when you really need to pop some light in somewhere, buy a piece of flexible mirror plexiglas.

You should try making a piece of black material also. (Or just spray paint on of those on the other side) It can be used to block light where not wanted.

And, you can make a thing to soften light .... contruct a frame from PVC pipe in a rectangle or square. Sew a piece of thin white material to it. You can put it between your subject and the light to soften harsh light.

Hope I've helped.

[Mike Reynolds]

that first shot is fantastic it pops out and the purple works!