The first magazine photo...

[fotogeek]

So, we just got a Canon 1D MkII here at work. I've not really had any time to really sit down and learn it, of course, and my manager asks if I would shoot one of our employees for a magazine article. Apparently they told the magazine that they had an in-house photographer and they didn't need to send anyone...

:o

Yeah, so I've never shot for a magazine before. I consider myself a photographer, but not by any professional standards, I'm a newb!

Anway, I do have some nice equipment so I felt I had that backing me up at least. I shot these with the Canon 1D, the 24-70mm L and a 580ex flash. I really only have video lights, hot lights, I don't have any strobes yet for the setup. We couldn't budget lighting in too.

All last minute... here's all I was told:

She was being featured because she works in the security industry and in the builder (pre-wire) department, so she's in a "man's world" or something (this is a southern woman's business magazine). And that they like edgy shots, and not static head shots, something that will show her personality...

So this is what I got. Please give me some real criticism if you can, besides just "looks okay" or "looks like crrrrap".

Thanks!

[fotogeek]

Here are the other 2 shots...

[Wildewinds]

I like the first one, but I think it's too dark.

The second one is also too dark, and I would crop out her legs. It looks like she's standing funny so she can be short enough to lean on the windowsill.

[Wildewinds]

Didn't see the second set.

Third one is also too dark (recurring theme). Probably the best of the bunch.

4th, dark. Nice picture of her, but it doesn't say much like the other photos do.

[fotogeek]

Hmm... well maybe my monitor is too bright, I thought I used the histogram though... anyone else think they're dark? I didn't want any blow-outs.

[insomnia]

Second one looks almost provocative with her legs spread IMO.

[fotogeek]

Uhm... thanks? Not sure if that was a compliment, or a criticism. heh...

That's interesting, actually it wasn't meant to be, just playful, trying to express her personality. I didn't notice she was standing like that until I backed up. The shots cropping her legs off weren't very interesting, saw it too many times, that's why I added this one. It was supposed to be humorous.

[Rigrider]

Personally, going by what you're discription of what the magazine will be looking for, I think the first shot is your best choice. It is a little dark, but you could tweak that in Photoshop. The legs in 2 are just too distracting, and 3 and 4, while VERY good shots, just seem a little too "stock" for what I think you're going for. That first shot is great though. And it tells a story, more than just showing the girl....

JMHO

L8r,

[Curtis N]

#3 would make a great photo for a magazine article. I like the expression in #4, but #3 tells more of a story. It will entice people to read the article to see what the picture is about. I like the angle and composition on #2 but the expression and posture don't work.

[transcend]

I don't think they look too dark at all. You can always fudge it a little bit in post anyways. Up it by a half stop and see what it looks like.

[starzphalling]

the first and the third are your best ones. i don't think they are too dark, but keep in mind when they publish it they will tweak it, and such.....i work for a magazine and i never worry about that cause no matter what they change it on me....don't ask...but really you have a great composition in those two shots and i will say those are your most magazine worthy pics. BTW, the only thing i would change is on pic #1 go into photoshop and darken the box in the upper right hand it's a little distracting cause it is such a highlight, and the story is about her not a box. other than that, THEY'RE GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAt!!!

[freddycr]

Thy all seem a bit dark and needing saturation. Apart from that I like 1 and 4.
2 ...the pose is too weird,
and 3 , the angle down-up plus the fact that your model is looking away from the cam doesn't make it too appealing (IMO)
Regards

[fotogeek]

Thanks for all the comments, I feel a bit more encouraged.

Starz, I actually did notice that highlight on the box, but not until after I sent it away. Figures, eh? hehe... that's what they get for last minute! ... then again, when isn't it last minute.

[insomnia]

Uhm... thanks? Not sure if that was a compliment, or a criticism. heh...

That's interesting, actually it wasn't meant to be, just playful, trying to express her personality. I didn't notice she was standing like that until I backed up. The shots cropping her legs off weren't very interesting, saw it too many times, that's why I added this one. It was supposed to be humorous.

It was neither, I was just pointing out it didn't look too professional. That's just the impression I got off it :)

[ayotnoms]

Here's a vote for #3; #4 as a runner-up.

#1 is nice enough but not knowing anything about the story you're trying to convey, it just looks like a nice looking, well-dressed woman who inexplicably finds herself seated in a bustling storeroom despite looking like she belongs in a well appointed office instead.

#2 It's the legs. They just don't fit with the rest of the image IMO

#4 like #1 is nice but doesn't dovetail with the others as nicely as those that depict the company name.

If the photos were destined for anything other than a Southern womens mag, #1 and #4 would win out.

That's about 2¢ worth...allowing for inflation. :-D

[DavidEB]

They're all great shots. each with some strengths and some minor weaknesses.

#2 is a good picture but I agree with other's comments about the legs, both detached and possibly unprofessional

#3 is good, maybe a tad better than #4, they're conventional but well-executed shots.

#1 is the most unique and interesting. The implied action makes a statement about they dynamism of the company. My only dislike in this picture is the ladder that seems to be emerging from her head. It might be less distracting if you darken just the ladder a little. I took the liberties, hoping you don't mind, of taking a stab at it...


By the way, I'm a pleased CPI customer.

[grego]

I think 3 is a little too low of an angle and then you have that mirror in there.

If you could somehow combine 3 and 4, you'd have yourself I think the perfect photo. Yes, 4 doesn't have the name in it, but I think it showcases her a little more than 3. 3 shows the company name twice but you feel distant from her, and again that mirror is kinda annoying.

But hey, for being thrown on the spot, you did a pretty good job.

[HJMinard]

I like #3 the best ... it's an excellent shot but perhaps too conventional - certainly not what I'd call edgy. The fourth shot, although well executed, is dangerously close to the "static head shot" you're trying to avoid. I agree that the legs in #2 could be perceived as unprofessional. That leaves #1 ... which I like, but less so than #3 ... it IS "edgier", I suppose.

[fotogeek]

I finally had some time to re-work this image. I think it's better. Not sure if they'll use it, but I just wanted to stick it in my portfolio. Photoshoped out the ladder, got rid of the background highlights. Photoshoped out the guy in blue that wasn't moving enough. Bumped the saturation, although now it's looking a little orange to me. My monitor's not calibrated though. Brightened it up.

[CyberPet]

I like the 1st and the last picture... both of them will be nice and if it's an article, they probably want one in landscape orientation and one in portrait orientation. Also liked the edit you did on the first picture, gives it more "pop". So edit the last one too and send both. :D

[exposingmyself]

i like fotogeek's version.

[exposingmyself]

oops, sorry, you are fotogeek:oops:
i like this last version you revised.

[Mercy299]

I actually like the 2nd one the best. It shows a woman in a mans world. The position of her feet tell me she is a no nonsense tough guy. But all that shows above the door of the truck is all woman. The sign on the door of the truck explains it all. I don't know if I explained all that very well but I think it is a very powerful picture. Great Job

[fotogeek]

Thanks peeps.

Yeah, Mercy, I thought that one was humors & descriptive. Apparently not many people liked it though.

[mgbeach]

I like the version with the ladder and man cloned out the best. Very good work on that, by the way. Depending on how "edgy" the magazine is, maybe push the colors to more of a cross-processed look. I guess it all depends on the image you want to put forth for your company, but that might make you seem a little "cooler" :)

[Nabil-A]

Nobody picked up ?


Security watermark is spelt wrong. Otherwis concur with what has been said.