Editorial / environmental portraiture

I've kind of stumbled upon this style of photography in the last month or two. I have a couple favorites that I became aware of here and on flickr. I love their stuff, and while I'm certainly not trying to imitate anyone, I've been inspired to try and create my own look and feel for this style.

I've tried lots and lots of general experimenting with my post work in the 5-6 months that I've been shooting and editing. I really like where I'm headed.

I posted a few images today of a shoot that I had yesterday and got some really great and insightful feedback that really made me think about my choices. I'd be interested in hearing some thoughts and hopefully reading some insightful criticisms. Also, any advice concerning working with models would be welcome. The more I do this sort of thing, the better I become and extracting what I want from them. But I'm certainly open to hearing what more experienced photographers have to say on the matter.

Here are some images from my last (and my favorite) editorial shoot.

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love the warm feel and back light... specially, 3,4 and the last.. great work

Nice work, in the 2nd & 3rd pictures I find her centered, in the 3rd picture if you crop off the empty space on the left might look a lot better? for the last picture there is something in the foreground not sure what that is? however it is distracting & it cut off part of her body.

EnfieldRyder wrote in post #14111019
for the last picture there is something in the foreground not sure what that is? however it is distracting & it cut off part of her body.

Thanks for the criticisms...and its the tree that she's holding onto while she's leaning back. I've cropped a bit (not much) of the foreground out - there was a bit of distortion on her left arm that I didn't like that much.

nothing else guys? I'm looking to improve..

I think you made the assignment more difficult with her wearing the white dress.

Especially in #4, the dress is bright and the lighting to her upper right is very bright. The brightness is too much for my liking and it's not "comfortable" for me to look at the picture.

Maybe it's a case of me not being informed on this style, or maybe just not having enough experience with the genre to fully enjoy it.

I do like the first one where her clothes offer contrast to the very bright sky.

But, remember, these are only one guy's opinions.

I know what you mean about that one image - it may be a little on the hot side. White dresses and strong sunlight can be challenging!

cpam.pix wrote in post #14125994
I think you made the assignment more difficult with her wearing the white dress.

Especially in #4, the dress is bright and the lighting to her upper right is very bright. The brightness is too much for my liking and it's not "comfortable" for me to look at the picture.

Maybe it's a case of me not being informed on this style, or maybe just not having enough experience with the genre to fully enjoy it.

I do like the first one where her clothes offer contrast to the very bright sky.

But, remember, these are only one guy's opinions.

I think they have alovely feel to them; and very pretty girl.
I can't help thinking though, that in the first image it looks like she's had her right arm amputated below the shoulder.

digidiva wrote in post #14126044
I think they have alovely feel to them; and very pretty girl.
I can't help thinking though, that in the first image it looks like she's had her right arm amputated below the shoulder.

Yeah, someone mentioned that. I'm not sure I ever would have noticed that. I'll think about that sort of thing the next time I'm out shooting. I'll rethink my framing.

Thanks

Shot 2 is definitely my favorite but its really distracting me that it the lowest plank covers up the foot on the right. You're talented

MissaNicole wrote in post #14126377
Shot 2 is definitely my favorite but its really distracting me that it the lowest plank covers up the foot on the right. You're talented

Thanks...you know - its funny sometimes the things that I'd never notice. I've spent quite a bit of time looking at and working on this image - I don't think I ever noticed that her feet were hidden...

thanks for the comments guys...(and girls)

I'll post one more while I'm at it..

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Hey michael--I'm curious: what is the style of photography you mention at the beginning ? Do you just mean ambient backlit shots ? Or is there something more going on that I'm missing ?