Sample for a Dance magazine

Julie Deane · 02-19-2005, 11:22 PM

Thanks, Kim and Elizabeth -

Boy, there's nothing like a Sargent to keep a person properly humble. Not that I have any problem with that, when I see all the beautiful work shared on this forum..

I am (obviously) still struggling with learning how to light a subject. I don't have a softbox (yet) and am making do with a light with a reflector that has barndoors and a softening filter. Plus I use my large north light window. The living room is configured in such a way that I don't have room to use a zoom lens if I position the model to get a better shadow pattern using the window's natural light. Makes me want to take a sledgehammer to the wall dividing it from my dining room studio. Then I could stick the camera through the hole in the wall and get the shot I want!

I will run out of time soon if I don't get started doing this sample. The problem is, I like aspects of both of the last photos, and I don't know which one to pick.

For photo no. 2 - I can downplay the detail work at the bottom of the gown and the bodice to keep the emphasis on her face.

Photo no. 1 - when I put my finger over the skirt on the right, it makes for a much slimmer look. And she has an elegance to her stance.

Photo no 2 seems warmer in emotional tone - which is neither good nor bad - just different).

What to do, what to do......

Mike McCarty · 02-19-2005, 11:37 PM

Julie,

If I might further complicate the situation. You might try darkening the dress.

Julie Deane · 02-19-2005, 11:43 PM

HI Mike -

I kind of like the light blue, but admit it might look better darkened down some.

Julie Deane · 02-20-2005, 12:14 AM

I think I will go with photo no. 2.

I can disguise the figure flaws and I like the facial expression better.
Plus the hands are easier to read.

Hopefully you will see a work in progress within the next week.

Thanks again for the help!

Elizabeth Schott · 02-20-2005, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

Julie,

If I might further complicate the situation. You might try darkening the dress.

Mike is so good at this stuff Julie. I actually liked the number two in the second set.

I must apologize I am stuck in a Holiday in at a very long volleyball tournament, so I spent a little time roughly playing. Tryin to move the hair back you will see I have made her skin tones muddy. But this is just for an idea. You would need to re shoot and I wasn't sure how much time you had left.

Good luck!

Elizabeth Schott · 02-20-2005, 11:01 PM

Julie I must have posted after/with you.

Now that I am home, wow here skin looks bad in my re-do!

Julie Deane · 02-20-2005, 11:10 PM

What's that skin pigmentation thing that Michael Jackson has?

Anyway,

the thought and the work is appreciated.

Sharon Knettell · 02-21-2005, 06:15 PM

The second set is better figure wise, but the flowers are eating her up.

A simple head bun with a single rose at her neck or in her hair would in my opinion be best.

Use a short sleeved black ballet top to minimize her plumpness, then the single dash of color would bring attention to her rather lovely face. Look at a Degas painting to see how he does his hair and accents.
She would look well with a bun and some tendrils and a neck ribbon with or without the rose. See my Dakini on Nude unveilings.

Julie Deane · 02-21-2005, 10:57 PM

Thanks, Sharon, but I tried her the first go round with a bun, and it did nothing for her. I do see your point about the roses, though. Unfortunately, I don't have time to do a reshoot.

Everyone who has been kind enough to help me out here could take a much better photo than I because they have gone through the process of learning how to do so. But it's ultimately up to me to decide what to do with what I have, given my time frame and my current references.

So - I am taking a big breath and combining the two shots - body of photo no. one and head of photo no. 2. As seen in this attached beginning layout sketch.