Steampunk try

DThriller wrote in post #18209375
How did you end up reaching for for a shoot? As I understand you were friendly with her from the "greasy spoon" but did you just recognize her from looking though MM? Did you contact her though MM or while she was working a the GS? I just ask bc I know this hair stylist that literally has goes up to a bartender and been like "hey do you want to model for a photoshoot". I guess its easier if you're a girl haha w/e

Anyways for C&C it probably not helpful to pick apart your images so I'll just give you some general advice. When working with off camera lights (general speaking) you want catchlights in both the eyes. Also be aware of the shadow cast by the nose it can tell you a lot. Do a little research on rembrandt lighting and you'll see why I can tell your light was set too low in that 4th image.

Off camera lighting isn't easy and for perspective the first time I tryed off camera lighting my images were so embarrassing they deleted themselves.

weve know each other about 5-6 years so when i saw her on MM, it was like looking a picture of a friend. the family went to breakfast about 3 weeks before we set up the shoot and i asked our server if Eileen could come over for a minute or two when she had a chance. i explained that i normally dont shoot pictures of people other than documentary stuff (newspaper stuff) but wanted to expand into portraits and glamour/fashion/whatev​er and saw she's into steampunk (which i already knew from other conversation) and gave her my card and phone number. its not on my cards because i use the phone for so many things that i do, i didnt want to be on the phone for days at a time...

yeah, everyone should know by now, OCF is something im pretty new at lol!

AlFooteIII wrote in post #18209600
A thought on the background. I LOVE the use of the bookshelf, especially for steampunk. But the foil embossing is catching way too much light and a) distracting from your model and b) just feels too clean-shiny for the genre. I know you said you tried to control spill, but with just an umbrella (and in a tight space) almost impossible. Next time, get some big pieces of black foamcore to flag off the light from the background even more. It's cheap as heck and will really help separate your model from the background AND kill those book title highlights. Also, consider your angles -- you'll note, #1 does not have the issue, because the background is angled away from the lens.

I look forward to seeing more!

i honestly didnt want so many photos in front of the bookcases but i was really limited. a fact i didnt really realize until AFTER we got there. it had been a while since i had been there as a patron...

ive got some black foamcore already. i really need some workshops (i learn very well in those situations vs watching youtube) to pick up some tips and refine my skills...


thanks both of you for your comments!

oh that makes more sense that you knew her before reaching out about modeling.

as you can see, she has a large tattoo on her right thigh. like an antique photo in a frame...

i thought about saying to her "im a photographer and want to start shooting people more than just for journalism stuff. im looking for a someone with a tattoo on her right thigh. you dont know anyone who might fit that bill do you?" lol

then i thought, thats WAY TOO CREEPY...

Yeah thats funny with the right person but could be a red flag for other.

I have a whole bag full of jokes I use on occasion but knowing your audence is key. The last thing you want to do is creepy them out.

It also comes into play when trying to compliment a subject. Sometimes better to make a joke then out right say they look good.