The raw file is really just 50% of the game.
I had no idea that when I put an ad out on CL (ugh) that I would get in contact with a stunner like Kay. She needed photos, and I needed talent, and I think we both made out pretty well.
We shot for about 75 minutes at a local park. It started out cloudy but then - all of a sudden - the clouds broke for about 30 minutes of glorious golden hour light.
The photos were pretty straightforward; I knew that this shoot was going to be focusing on post processing work. I came up with a "bronze" recipe using B&W, Color Balance, and Photo Filter Layers. I really wanted something that has a magazine-type finish. It's not quite there yet, but I'm getting closer.
1. Rightly or wrongly, I make the sun flare as important compositionally as the model. Here, that meant cutting off the bottom half of her legs. I had other shots with better subject positioning, but the flare either sucked, the exposure was off, or the expression/pose was poor.
 | HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR |
IMG_2807_contrast
by jk@ebs, on Flickr2. Again, accommodating the flare means compromise. I traded flare for a knee chop.
| HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR |
IMG_2850_contrast
by jk@ebs, on Flickr3. This was the only shot were I opened up the 85L (to 1.4, I think). It amazes me how the angle of the shot can change the look of the face to the point where it looks like someone else entirely.
| HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR |
IMG_2880_bronze
by jk@ebs, on Flickr4. Finally, I caught a real flare. I always tell people that catching a flare is like catching a unicorn. This shot would have been perfect but I missed focus. It's passable for web, but anything larger than a 4x6 is going to show it. I did a TON of skin work on this photo. Healing brush at 400% in the isolated blue channel. Takes soooo long.
| HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR |
IMG_2898_bronze
by jk@ebs, on Flickr5. Another flare, this time with the subject in focus. I should have had her bring her left thumb up on a belt loop or on the waistline of her shorts.
| HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR |
IMG_2901_bronze
by jk@ebs, on Flickr6. I don't know how I didn't notice it, but in 75% of all the shots I took, she had an arm over her head. I have a posing cheat sheet that she flipped through and I guess she must have liked the look.
| HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR |
IMG_2925_bronze
by jk@ebs, on Flickr7. For reference/curiosity, this is the color version of the preceding photo. I probably cooked it too much for most people's taste, but I like the vivid colors.
| HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR |
IMG_2925
by jk@ebs, on FlickrAnd I keep telling myself that I am going to get a thing to calibrate my monitor...and then I buy glass instead.
joe
