Few from a difficult shoot - comments welcome.

Did a TFCD shoot recently with a wonderful girl, very friendly and very generous, but extremely wooden in front of camera. Came away quite demoralised, first time I've failed to get through to someone and crack them open a bit. But anyway, these are some of the results.

Fire away with comments.

1)

Well, I don't know enough to give good critique but as I looked through these images I really enjoyed the last one. I don't know why but it seemed like a very peaceful picture.

How close were you too here while shooting? She may have felt intimidated? Somtimes I give those that are ridgid some extra space to warm up to the camera. Just an idea...

To the OP:

I think these shots are really good. I'd be extremely happy knowing I captured the essence of someone as they are and not as I want them to be (if that makes sense...)

Unless you know that your subject is normally a goofy clown, I'd say you have some great shots of an introspective and contlemplative lady.

Oh and BTW, I love your moniker: Manipula. How'd that come about?

Rhinotherunt wrote in post #4213715
How close were you too here while shooting? She may have felt intimidated? Somtimes I give those that are ridgid some extra space to warm up to the camera. Just an idea...

Closest shot would be about 5 feet away, but most are more so. A lot are shot with the 70-200. Unfortunately, for a model who's starting out, I think she just lacked charisma in front of camera. Not confidence as she knew when to give me some ribbing without fishing for it, just lacked a personality if a camera was raised. Pains me to say it, I thought she was lovely!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #4213719
To the OP:

I think these shots are really good. I'd be extremely happy knowing I captured the essence of someone as they are and not as I want them to be (if that makes sense...)

Unless you know that your subject is normally a goofy clown, I'd say you have some great shots of an introspective and contlemplative lady.

Oh and BTW, I love your moniker: Manipula. How'd that come about?

Very, very important to me, and has been for a while, to first and foremost try and give the viewer an insight into the person they're viewing in portraits. My number one goal. Shortly followed my not skin smoothing til they look like Barbie!

With regard to the manipula thing. One day in my memoirs, or on the inside of a book I'll publish I shall repay the debt to a gent called Dave Brown, an astute internet businessman I know through a car club. When asking generally a few years ago for ideas for a business name, he came up with it (it's Latin for manipulate - or at least that's what he said at the time, I've never checked) and offered it to me for free in exchange for a "credit in your memoirs." I'm sure he was joking but I'll honour it regardless.

Thanks for the comments chaps, keep em coming!

manipula wrote in post #4213820
Closest shot would be about 5 feet away, but most are more so. A lot are shot with the 70-200. Unfortunately, for a model who's starting out, I think she just lacked charisma in front of camera. Not confidence as she knew when to give me some ribbing without fishing for it, just lacked a personality if a camera was raised. Pains me to say it, I thought she was lovely!

Ah, well she indeed is lovely...

Some great work Dave, considering the circumstances! I think a couple, particularly number 5 would benefit from some extra contrast

Wazza wrote in post #4213917
Some great work Dave, considering the circumstances! I think a couple, particularly number 5 would benefit from some extra contrast

You reckon? I was worried about losing the feeling of shooting directly into light, and also the shadow detail in her hair? We need the tonal range of that whizzy camera of yours!

I like the last one the best as well. I agree with you that the rest she seems so distant that it comes through in the picture.