Sample for a Dance magazine

Julie Deane · 02-12-2005, 08:49 PM

Hi -

A friend is giving me a full page ad in a dancer's vanity magazine. It's a black and white booklet paid for by the proud parents of dance students.

In return, I am using her daughter as a model. Here are some sample shots - am I on the right track? I personally like the one with only the upper torso - with the red/white/blue theme, but am not sure it will be "dance"- ey enough.

I have closeups of face/hands/feet etc for detail work, but am showing the three main poses to get some feedback. Thanks in advance!

Michele Rushworth · 02-12-2005, 09:01 PM

I really wouldn't use any of them. None of the poses flatter her rather heavy figure. Some make her look heavier than she needs to be (the first one, for example.)

I would have her pose, standing, facing three quarters to the camera or maybe almost in profile, in a graceful and upward reaching dance pose, with a traditional dance/ballet outfit (not the one shown in the second example).

Chris Saper · 02-12-2005, 09:06 PM

Dear Julie,

What a great opportunity! It's really important to start with the best photos you can...

That being said, I think you should take more photos. In the first, I can see that there is a fish-eye distortion caused by not being far enough back from your subject to zoom in.

I think you can take photos that would flatter your subject more- sitting up straight and leaning forward, where you are a bit above eye-level. She will look more slender and more dancer- like this way, I believe.

The red white and blue scheme is not relevant since the ad will be in black and white - but the value pattern IS. The RWB scheme ( and the third) is one that results in isolate chunks of dark and middle values. Whatever images you are considering, look at them in black and white/grayscale mode.

Think also about the size of the image in the ad, and how it will be printed. Even at 8 1/2 x 11, there's not much room for a head, let alone a half figure or full figure pose. Also find out about the quality of paper, and whether the magazine is going to a printer, or will be created by a Xerox machine. The poorer the quality of the outcome print, the more important it is to have an image that will read well in that context - small heads that are Xeroxed will be nearly indistinguishable. So here you see me arguing for a head/shoulders or h/s with hands, unless your ad will be printed properly on high quality stock . You might experiment with dance shoes tied and over the shoulder something like that. The dancer's hair and leotard will convey a lot, after all, it's in a dance magazine

Also, you should move your light source to a more oblique position. It's so head on that you are not left with much light/shadow information to convey the form.

Good luck on this exciting opportunity!

Julie Deane · 02-12-2005, 09:08 PM

Hi Michelle -

The figure is a problem. These outfits are all she has that are suitable.
The blue one is the most traditional. It really is not flattering to that midriff, though....
This is a low light situation - darn my north light with trees in the way! I was hesitant to try an "action" pose for fear of blurring.

Julie Deane · 02-12-2005, 09:11 PM

Hi Chris -
Thanks for your comments. The paper quality will not be that good, so I was racking my brain thinking about how to read like a dancer with just a head and shoulders shot.

Thanks to you and Michelle. Time for photo round no. two.

Julie Deane · 02-19-2005, 07:55 PM

Okay -

Here's three that worked pretty well. I prefer the ones with the roses.

Julie Deane · 02-19-2005, 09:21 PM

A few more.

Kimberly Dow · 02-19-2005, 09:53 PM

Julie - out of these last samples, the first one is the most flattering for her figure. It lacks some shadows though, but I'd still do it.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-19-2005, 10:32 PM

Julie out of these last few I like the concept of number two.

I think it's important you get it right if it's for an ad, so taking the extra steps is very smart of you!

Here is one of my favorite Sargent's that shows how he handled the issue Chris and Michele have pointed out.

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......