Using a single strobe - creative examples - post yours

phamster wrote in post #9898632
@ Bryant, one of your best photos IMHO..
@ Sandoval, one of your few Male shots too ! nice collection
@ Patrick Pike, excellent wide landscape couples as always..
@ Sgroi, cute children, i dont have the patiences for them but you got some good ones..

Thank you Pham. That means a lot coming from you. I've been getting back to the basics and working on fundamentals, and it's nice to know it's paying off!

TMR Design wrote in post #9899616
Nice shot but very unflattering for her legs. Most girls and women would want to avoid than angle and type of shot.

My 2 cents.

That's what I was going to say too.

03civicsi wrote in post #9899275
That looks good, Also like how there is no catch lights or glare on the glasses!

Keep playing, it's addicting and a learning experience all in one lol

Thanks! Yep it is addictive - am off work for two weeks and at the moment it is raining, so I am playing with flash!!

Why?

TMR Design wrote in post #9899616
Nice shot but very unflattering for her legs. Most girls and women would want to avoid that angle and type of shot.

My 2 cents.

One 580ex ettl fired cam right.

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Methodical wrote in post #9899850
Why?

I dont know Rob's reason. But in this case it makes her left (top) leg look huge in comparison to the other. Plus if the model is chesty, or heavy, things sag downward which in this case would be sideways.

Methodical wrote in post #9899850
Why?

gonzogolf wrote in post #9899878
I dont know Rob's reason. But in this case it makes her left (top) leg look huge in comparison to the other. Plus if the model is chesty, or heavy, things sag downward which in this case would be sideways.

Exactly. I've never known a girl or woman that didn't want to look as slim as possible when photographed. It's not a question of saying "oh, but that's how she looks" because it's our job as photographers to find those flattering angles, postures and positions that don't bring attention to those areas that might not be perfect or large, etc.

The position in that shot draws attention to her legs and makes it look like her left calf and thigh are large are exaggerated.

Just lowering the leg so it lays flat or rests on the other leg would make the leg look slimmer because the calf and thigh wouldn't be hanging as they are now.

TMR Design wrote in post #9899947
Exactly. I've never known a girl or woman that didn't want to look as slim as possible when photographed. It's not a question of saying "oh, but that's how she looks" because it's our job as photographers to find those flattering angles, postures and positions that don't bring attention to those areas that might not be perfect or large, etc.

The position in that shot draws attention to her legs and makes it look like her left calf and thigh are large are exaggerated.

Just lowering the leg so it lays flat or rests on the other leg would make the leg look slimmer because the calf and thigh wouldn't be hanging as they are now.

Robert,

part of me says.. wow.. it is a great shot for a non model student that is short and has issues with her lower half.. and conclusion is; " it is what it is.." you can't make an orange look like an apple. lol...

and the other part of me is like: i want to do better.. and this pose was very difficult for me..

so what can i do better? you mention lay the top leg flat on top of the lower leg.. (thanks)

i had people watching her, because there was a light stand, one parent, one aunt and a cute girl in a short skirt on the ground in a public place.

and we had blocked off the up skirt view with one aunt standing in the stragic place..

but the pose when thru 2-3 different variations and this one was the best one.. for my eyes.. (experience less than 2 years photography keep in mind)

but her long shoes made it difficult to lay on top of each other.. when i did that, her hips looked even more wider.. so i didn't do that one..

i am going to have to scout around of images on what is a better leg position..

phamster

Sometimes there are no solutions for a pose and you must switch gears, think on your feet and come up with something else.

TMR Design wrote in post #9900294
Sometimes there are no solutions for a pose and you must switch gears, think on your feet and come up with something else.

yup yup..

i have 5-7 other shots for her too.. so that is what we did..

phamster wrote in post #9900139
Robert,

part of me says.. wow.. it is a great shot for a non model student that is short and has issues with her lower half.. and conclusion is; " it is what it is.." you can't make an orange look like an apple. lol...

Sure, and if you were what I call a 'schlock' photographer then "it is what it is" would be fine. But you're better than that Pham and have an eye and skill for capturing people and making them look their best. In this case I think this image falls a little short of that and other poses and angles would be really flattering to her and pull your eye to her face and smile.

phamster wrote in post #9897305
@ Wamguy..

thanks for the vote for Katelyn..

and a different Katelyn.. this time a senior photo..

Man, screw all that noise. I like some muscle on the legs, I like some hanging breasts.
She looks like a woman.
However.. I'm not ok with her left hand.

TMR Design wrote in post #9900421
Sure, and if you were what I call a 'schlock' photographer then "it is what it is" would be fine. But you're better than that Pham and have an eye and skill for capturing people and making them look their best. In this case I think this image falls a little short of that and other poses and angles would be really flattering to her and pull your eye to her face and smile.

i know i know..

and i know you care too robert thus it is growing pains for me.. and it isn't even painful.. lol..

if you didn't care, you wouldn't even type.. so please don't take anthing i say as defensive..

i want to become better just like the next person.. and will note your exprience on this gladly..

phamster

OK, I'll play. Single 285 through a Photoflex Q39 Medium.

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BTW- This exchange between Robert and Pham reminds me so much of my wife and I talking about my work.

Me- Look at how cool this photo I just took is!
Her- Um... you know you just made her look horrible, and I've seen her and know she looks great.
Me- sigh....

Hyperbole added, but this is an important and tough area of posing that I am constantly learning.