Lyndsey

Kimberly Dow · 08-13-2004, 10:18 PM

I was supposed to photograph this girl at a vineyard today, but it was storming. It cleared up later and she came over to my house to try a few shots. The ones in the black dress with the roses were shot from inside the house looking out the window - the light was real interesting. It was about 6pm and I believe I was facing the camera about SW.

I put her in that dress of my daughter's and what is funny is that the only rose left after the storm is the one she is holding. If I painted it right perhaps the roses on the dress could look like they were on the vine.

Kimberly Dow · 08-13-2004, 10:22 PM

I really like the one with the sky/clouds behind her, but her face is in such shadow.

Mike McCarty · 08-14-2004, 01:02 AM

I like the first and not the second. In the first I find that I want to bring her closer to me, I can imagine countryside, I want to see this beautiful face. When you have a compelling subject I feel they should be the main attraction, not just one more element. This is probably just the difference in how we see things as artists and gets into that portrait vs figurative argument.

I would either eliminate the dress pattern or eliminate the foreground flowers. I think the presence of both is a bit distraction.

The third image is a prime example of the need for spot metering. You want to tell the camera to expose for the subject and not the very bright background, otherwise, the subject will always be overwhelmed by the background.

If you don't have spot metering you can move closer to the subject and take an exposure eliminating most of the background. Then, hold down the shutter release halfway to retain the exposure and reframe and shoot. Or, dial in that captured exposure and shoot in manual mode.

Kimberly Dow · 08-14-2004, 12:21 PM

As always Mike you are full of good advice. I am going to practice these backlit situations so I can get it right next time.

I agree, I like the first one better also - and I did crop it in closer last night. To me it isn't really portrait vs. figurative...it's more about finances. I wasn't hired to do a portrait, so deciding what will make it possible to sell to strangers later is part of the equation. I wish it was a commission so I could just do a straight portrait.

I am so disappointed you do not like the dress & roses! That was really appealing to me. When I posted this one Mike, I was thinking she looks like one of the beautiful girls you always photograph.

Sharon Knettell · 08-14-2004, 07:04 PM

Kimberly,

You have a really beautiful model, but not really workable photos.

I have done and sold figurative work. An example is the Dakini picture in unveilings, as well as the picture of the red haired dancer with the hearts skirt shown on my introduction.

Do a picture that appeals to you and you would like to do. Do not worry about the end market. I never thought the red haired dancer would ever sell, but it sold in a heartbeat.

One thing I learned in my years as an advertising illustrator is to really have a clear and well designed image. One that impacts the viewer from the getgo.

The black dress with the roses is just to fussy and makes for a confusing image. The pose in the swing is just to crabbed and the background again is more the story.

Focus in her face, take Mike's advice on metering. I drag my camera in closer all the time to check even though I have a spot meter. Have an assistant hold a large white piece of cardboard or foamcore to reflect light back into her face. You can actually see the changes it makes. I actually have a nifty 36" portable reflector that folds up into a small bag.

The simple figure against the sky is the best, just redo it with simple modifications. Just do subtle head changes, don't go crazy. A good professional photographer might take several rolls of film of just ONE good pose or idea and modify it slightly on each frame, and pick out the best.

Kimberly Dow · 08-15-2004, 01:15 PM

Thank you for all the good advice Sharon. The hardest part is trying not to think of sales, but I am sure you are right.

I am going to go back and look at your work again. It is simply beautiful and I am not suprised it sold immediately. When you first posted those I recall thinking that if I still lived iin NH I would have made a trip down to see your work in person.